The Palm Beach Post, Fla., Eve Samples column.(Column)

Byline: Eve Samples

Jul. 16--PLANT PITCH FOR PIPER MAY NOT FLY: Even if Indian River County voters agree to raise their property taxes for a $40 million bond issue to help keep Piper Aircraft Inc. in Vero Beach, there's no guarantee the 70-year-old plane maker will take them up on the deal.

Scot Butcher, a consultant helping piper decide where to build its new jet plant -- and whether to pick up and leave Vero -- raised questions last week about the incentive package, which Indian River County values at $76.5 million.

"No one's talking about the fact that Piper would have to pay back $100 million," Butcher said.

It's true. As part of the …