City approves tax break for Northrop Grumman

GULFPORT — The Gulfport City Council has unanimously approved tax breaks totaling $94,688 a year for Northrop Grumman’s shipyard, but one will expire in a year and the other by July 2013 unless the incoming council decides to renew it.

Northrop Grumman requested the tax breaks for 10 years, based on the company’s investment of more than $18 million in building expansion and equipment. The Sun Herald reports representatives of the Harrison County Development Commission recommended the tax exemptions be offered for five years.

Northrop Grumman has retooled its shipyard to make fiberglass composites, which are replacing aluminum and steel on ships. The shipyard employs about 550 workers.