The Decatur City Council held a public hearing on June 2 to review a preliminary denial of Champion Homebuilders’ 2026 tax abatement after the company’s reported employment levels did not match projections submitted in earlier filings.
Two representatives from Champion Homebuilders attended the hearing and introduced themselves to council. Both said they began working at the Decatur facility after the dates of the original filings and were not involved in preparing the earlier compliance documents. Council members noted that the employment figures listed on the company’s CF‑1 form did not align with the hiring estimates provided when the abatement was approved.
During the discussion, council members compared the company’s earlier projections with its current staffing totals and said the numbers showed a shortfall from what had been anticipated. Company representatives told council that staffing has increased since the last filing and said they have added employees in recent months. They also said they are continuing to hire.
Council members asked about production levels and the types of units being built at the Decatur facility. One council member recalled that the company had previously indicated it would be producing a significant amount of government‑related or HUD‑type housing when it first opened. Company representatives responded by describing current production activity and the types of units being manufactured.
The hearing focused on the company’s hiring progress, the accuracy of the submitted compliance forms, and whether the facility is meeting the commitments tied to the abatement. Company representatives said they are working to increase staffing and described efforts to bring additional employees on board.
The council did not take action on the abatement during the hearing, and no vote or final decision was recorded in the transcript.