Nicholas Hernandez, the city’s economic development officer, updated the Bangor City Council on major projects Tuesday, saying the central kitchen request for proposals closes Oct. 29 and that staff have shepherded local firms through the Foreign‑Trade Zone 58 application process.

Hernandez said the Foreign‑Trade Zone work has translated into concrete savings for at least one local company: after accounting for an upfront investment in compliance, “we're saving $300,000,” he said, describing a scenario in which a business might invest about $100,000 to realize larger tariff and cash‑flow benefits.

The central kitchen project is moving from procurement into operational planning, Hernandez said, and the city is simultaneously designing the operations model so the facility is sustainable once construction is complete. He told councilors the city plans to consult the Fork Food Lab’s operations model and that the architect has produced maintenance‑cost estimates the city can share.

Hernandez reported the city’s innovation center is at full occupancy. Reform Composites moved into the center Oct. 1; Hernandez said the company, a spin‑off from a composites center and a graduate of a business accelerator, is preparing to build machinery in the facility under a contract with an unnamed international customer.

On higher‑education and international partnerships, Hernandez said the city facilitated a memorandum of understanding between Husson University and the government of Aruba to allow Aruba‑sponsored scholars to attend Husson and for American students to participate in exchanges focused on climate, sustainability and business.

Hernandez also confirmed a negotiated sale of 110 Hildreth: “we will be selling the building for 2.1,” he said. He described the final sale price as a negotiated increase from an earlier offer of about $1.2 million; the council packet materials and closing documents were not cited in the meeting transcript.

Regional coordination was highlighted as well: city staff continue to work with BGR International Airport on terminal expansion planning and held a disadvantaged business enterprise outreach event at the innovation center to connect smaller firms with upcoming RFPs. Hernandez said the city hosted a community event, Bangor United, led by CHISPA of Maine that drew about 700 attendees at the library.

On financing and next steps, Hernandez said staff are continuing work on tax increment financing (TIF/TIFF) requests and preparing an operations plan for the central kitchen that accounts for staffing, facilities, utilities, compliance and programming. He said the city plans close oversight of the incubator’s operations during the first two years and will consider issuing an RFP or contracting with an outside operator for day‑to‑day management.

During the meeting the council voted to enter an executive session under the citation read on the record for the disposition of real property tied to economic development, and, after returning, members made a motion to approve the city’s existing real property action on that item and to forward it to the full council next week for final consideration.