EAST PROVIDENCE - The city council approved a 10-year tax stabilization for Igus Bearings, Inc., which will be building a $5 million facility on Ferris Avenue this year, at its July 17 meeting.

The 22-year-old business, which is owned by Carsten Blase and located on North Broadway, manufactures plastic cable carriers, continuous-flex cables, plastic bearings and linear guide systems. Expansion will include a 94,000-square-foot facility to accommodate 100 employees.

"Some way I think the city has to be protected," said Mayor Isadore Ramos.

"Say they get a tax break and move out of state. I would like to see taxpayers protected in situations like this. Some have done this, benefited and left."

City Manager Richard Brown said the agreement would be written to protect the city.

"We enter into these types of agreements to entice industry to stay in an urban area," said Mr. Brown.

"This is a way we use to level the playing field. First of all we are maintaining some of the manufacturing base and the employees and we are getting a multi-million business on our tax rolls."

Rick Abbate, Igus's general manager, said the business hoped to break ground for construction this year with a completion date sometime 12 to 18 months thereafter.

"We're extremely excited," said Mr. Abbate. "It's a project we've been planning such a long time."

By Marilyn Bellemore