BATH — Some Bath residents object to a proposed tax rebate for a major expansion of Bath Iron Works, saying the subsidy is corporate welfare and BIW will expand whether or not it gets a tax break.

BIW officials say if the proposed tax break is denied, they might not be able to expand, putting jobs at risk.

The company is seeking a 25-year property tax subsidy of about $250,000 a year for the proposed expansion.

Bath resident Jerry Provencher is a member of Bath Citizens for Responsible TIF Action, a group residents opposed to the tax break.

He tells the Portland Press Herald the proposed expansion is not expected to create jobs, and BIW is too heavily invested in Bath to relocate.

The city council is scheduled to vote on the issue Nov. 20.