EDA plans hearings for three new businesses

By Barbara Brown
The North Branch Economic Development Authority (EDA) scheduled two public hearings for three companies seeking financing help so they can open shops in North Branch.
At a special March 6 meeting of the EDA, the board voted unanimously to hold three public hearings on March 25 in City Hall at 11:30 a.m.
The first public hearing is to get public input on a request by The Bindery to buy four lots in the cityís industrial park. The Bindery plans to build a 60,000 square-foot building that would consolidate their St. Croix Falls and Cambridge operations, which employ about 80 people.
Should the sale be approved, the North Branch industrial park would have only one vacant lot, according to city finance director Dave Stutelberg
The second public hearing is on a request by Jeremy Bottoms to buy 1 1/2 acres of the former Palletman site for $75,000.
Bottoms has proposed building an 11,000 square-foot building on the site. He would employ about 3 people in his proposed auto repair business in one half of the building.
The other half of the building would be leased out to another business that would employ about 5 people.
The EDA could approve the sale of the property, the development agreement and approve a tax abatement plan after the public hearing.
The third hearing would be on a request by Milcon to buy another 1 1/2 acres of the former Palletman property.
Milcon proposes retaining the current building on the property and making some renovations.
The company would employ 5 people at the site, which would be used as a warehouse and office space for the construction firm.
Milcon would be required to meet city codes, pave a parking area and landscape the property.
The EDA would make a recommendation to the city council on whether to allow the sales of the properties, the development agreements and approve tax abatement plans for Milcon and Bottoms and a tax increment financing plan for The Bindery after the public hearings.
The recommendation then could be presented to the city council at its April 14 meeting.

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