03-14-2005 EDAMMinutes of
* ** SPECIAL MEETING * **
EDA Board of Directors
Main Conference Room — City Center
11:30 AM Monday March 14th9 2005
I. Call to Order
EDA President Tim Ulrich called the meeting to order at 11:41 AM.
II. Briefing & discussion on LARGE business prospect
Tim Ulrich gave a short overview of the company:
A large manufacturer currently located in Minnesota has approached us about the
possibility of putting a 50- 60,000 square foot expansion here in Hutchinson. Initial
employment would be in the area of 30 -40 at between $12 and $15 / hour.
The company has two main product lines:
a) Quick Hitches for farm tractors (sold to John Deere, Case & AGCO)
b) Catwalks for large grain elevators.
The company has had solid sales growth and solid profits over the past three years.
At their present location the company is landlocked and they need to expand to make
their operations more efficient and to be able to meet increased demand.
The company plans to maintain some operations at their current site, but is looking at
options to build an expansion facility in another community. Their key concern is
availability of labor.
They are interested in the Wetherell Property located on the north side of 5t' Avenue
in the Industrial Park (about 10.85 acres).
EDA Director Miles Seppelt reviewed potential incentives that could be provided to
the company.
A meeting with the company president and representatives from the Hutchinson
Workforce Center, Ridgewater College, Hutchinson Public Works Dept., Hutchinson
Utilities, Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce, and two EDA Board members will be
held on Tuesday, March 15th.
The Board members discussed the project.
Everyone was reminded of the need to maintain confidentiality.
III. Other Business
R
rem-
IV. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 12:30 PM.