MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Marquette County Commission is moving forward with litigation against Cleveland Cliffs to force the company to pay property tax on the former empire mine site.
In a closed meeting Friday afternoon, the commission met with leaders from Tilden and Richmond Townships. Township officials say while the Empire Mine was open, Cleveland Cliffs paid taxes on the Ore mined, Instead of paying property taxes on the land.
When the Empire Mine closed 7 years ago, the company continued to not pay property tax on the site.and the loss of revenue from the ore tax has cost the townships millions.
The effect has been devastating to Richmond township, one official says the township has lost its library and Police Force, and has outdated EMS equipment it is not able to upgrade.
“Here in the U.P. we don’t have a lot of business, a lot of industry, so when our main industry is not carrying their weight it is a concern,” said Micheal Grondz, the Vice President of the United SteelWorkers Negaunee chapter.
The township officials and commissioners all expressed their gratitude for Cleveland Cliffs, and the jobs they provide but stated they believe everyone has to pay their fair share in taxes.
Commissioners do not have an exact timeline for how long the case will take, but are confident they will find a solution.
