08/30/12 Last week WTCA reported that the Plymouth Redevelopment Commission agreed to support an Infrastructure Development Agreement between them, the city, and Van Vactor Farms.
Marshall County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Jennifer Laurent and Dave Miller with Van Vactor Farms explained the proposal to the Board of Public Works and Safety Monday night. Laurent said, “This proposal would allow Kessler Crane on east Jefferson Street to expand their high-tech business that builds equipment for the entertainment industry in the Tech Farm.”
The proposal from the Van Vactors was to waive their $133,000 in proceeds from the sale of two lots in the Tech Farm if the city would also waive their $133,000 in proceeds from the sale. The proposal also had the Redevelopment Commission promising to put $133,000 of TIF funds into future infrastructure needs in the VanVactor Industrial Park.
Monday night the Board of Public Works and safety had to consider waiving their proceeds from the sale of the property in order for the project to keep moving forward.
Laurent stressed to the Board of Works that Plymouth and Marshall County were not the only communities courting Kessler. She also noted that giving the land to Kessler is not an unusual incentive. She said communities are giving land or money to bring business in or in this case keeps a good business.
Kessler plans to build a 30,000 square foot facility with construction to begin yet this fall. They currently have 30 employees and will immediately hire 10 additional ones with completion of the building. It is estimated that they could employee 100 by 2015.
The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety agreed to waive their proceeds from the sale of the lots.
