Public hearing on industrial park TEDD is Oct. 15
CHRIS PETERSON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 7 years, 10 months AGO
Chris Peterson is the editor of the Hungry Horse News. He covers Columbia Falls, the Canyon, Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness. All told, about 4 million acres of the best parts of the planet. He can be reached at [email protected] or 406-892-2151. | October 10, 2018 8:25 AM
The Columbia Falls City Council will hold a public hearing Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. on the creation of a Targeted Economic Development District for the Columbia Rising Industrial Park.
A TEDD takes the additional tax revenue after the district is created and businesses begin to build there to invest in further improvements in the park.
The council in September approved the 19-unit industrial park subdivision at the former Plum Creek sawmill and planer site just north of the Truck Route. When Weyerhaeuser merged with Plum Creek a few years ago, it shuttered both mills and sold the property to Columbia Rising. Columbia Rising is a limited liability corporation that includes investor Mick Ruis and the Lesar family.
Anchor tenant SmartLam has moved into the former planer building, but the remainder of the 36.58 acres site, which is mostly an asphalt pad or gravel that was used to store lumber, can now be developed.
The site has city services and rail access, making it an attractive location for prospective businesses.
Upgrades to city sewer and water are needed to the site, which the TEDD could help pay for.
The public hearing is in council chambers at city hall.
ARTICLES BY CHRIS PETERSON
Columbia Falls Community Market must raise $1 million in two weeks or potentially lose its home
The Columbia Falls Community Market is under the proverbial gun to raise about $1 million by Sept. 7 in order to purchase its current location.
Tax impact of high school remodel drops significantly
Mail ballots for the $75.9 million bond for Columbia Falls High School go out to voters on Sept. 9.
All things considered, summer in Glacier going well
Though Glacier National Park visitation was up about 17% over last year in July, Superintendent David Roemer said the park’s new system for parking and shuttling people to Logan Pass is working well.