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Schreiber Foods expansion put on hold; Carthage wins $750,000 sidewalk CDBG and tourism events report strong crowds
Summary
An email read in public comment said Schreiber Foods has put its Carthage production facility project on indefinite hold; the council also learned Carthage won a $750,000 Community Development Block Grant for sidewalks and city tourism officials reported a large crowd at April’s Food Truck Friday.
An email read to the council on April 22 notified Carthage officials that Schreiber Foods has put its Carthage production facility project on indefinite hold, while the city simultaneously announced a $750,000 Community Development Block Grant award to fund sidewalk work expanding from and around the downtown square.
Jeff Meredith, representing the Carthage Economic Development Corporation, read a company statement and said the message came from Schreiber’s executive vice president and chief risk officer. Meredith told the council: “Schreiber Foods is indefinitely its Carthage production facility project. Schreiber wishes this weren't the case, but general uncertain economic conditions are driving this decision.” He also said the company would “keep all its options open” and hopes to revisit the project in the future.
Why it matters: a planned private investment on the site is on hold, and while the EDC representative described the city as still well positioned for future opportunities, the announcement signals a pause in a potential local economic expansion.
At the same public comment time, the council heard that the city received a state-administered Community Development Block Grant for $750,000 to build sidewalks expanding out from the courthouse square. Meredith said the state has the funds in hand and that the award was confirmed in a press release.
Tourism and events: Melissa Little, the city’s tourism director, reported that the April Food Truck Friday drew a very large crowd and that organizers estimated about 5,000 people attended. The event hosted 20 food trucks and 21 vendors. Little said park staff and city crews managed trash and logistics and that the Tourism Advisory Board is working on a Route 66–focused event in 2026 and updating the Carthage visitors guide. She also reported an uptick in visitors at the Civil War Museum.
Utilities and boards: Chuck Bryant, general manager of Carthage Water & Electric, and a board representative reported that the CW&E board presented the fiscal year 2025–26 budget to the council and approved modest utility rate adjustments: a 1% increase for electric service, 1% for wastewater and 3% for water service for FY26. The CW&E board also approved salary adjustments and other budget items and passed those recommendations unanimously to present to council.
Other operational notes raised during reports and staff comments included: - Central Park bathroom renovations have started; the city is working with a contractor (Servpro) on the work. - The city’s storm sirens experienced four failures; Chief Martin reported specialized audio fuses were replaced and that the siren system will be tested at 10 a.m. the following day and will continue Saturday noon tests. - A preconstruction meeting and bid opening for Airport Drive widening occurred and work will begin next week. - The Humane Society declined the city’s contract proposal; staff will continue negotiations.
Ending: City tourism staff said marketing for upcoming events has reached broad audiences and that additional community events are scheduled through the spring and summer; the council will consider related operational and budget items in subsequent meetings.
