Council approves development agreement to support Green Bay Drop Forge relocation to Finger Road

The Green Bay Common Council voted to approve staff moving forward with Development Agreement 25-01 with Hoban Real Estate LLC to support the relocation and expansion of Green Bay Drop Forge to 3855 Finger Road.

The move, discussed during the council’s March 4 meeting, drew extended remarks from Alder Brian Johnson and public comments from company representative Bill Hoban. Johnson said the company was a ‘‘legacy business’’ offering local jobs and described redline changes to the agreement negotiated after a closed-session discussion at the Finance Committee. The council approved the motion on a voice vote; the mayor declared “the ayes have it.”

The nut graf: Council members framed the agreement as an effort to keep a long-standing industrial employer in Green Bay while allowing phased construction and technology upgrades. The finance committee asked for enhanced terms (provided as a redline in council packets) including language to give the city an option to purchase the existing State Street site and lease back some operations, a provision intended to help the city study long-term waterfront uses for that 11-acre riverfront parcel.

City and company officials said the Finger Road parcel will let the business build while continuing operations on State Street during a phased relocation. Bill Hoban told council the company is investing in new forging and press equipment and that new machinery is already en route from Germany. Alder Johnson said the redline changes respond to finance committee concerns and preserve city flexibility around the State Street property’s future use.

Council members from several districts expressed support. Alder Hinkfuss and others highlighted retention of local headquarters and the jobs the company provides. Deputy Director Buchanan and community and economic development staff were credited for negotiating terms; specific administrative follow-up was left to staff.

Quotes in context: “This is a legacy business here in our community that’s existed for over a hundred years,” Alder Brian Johnson said. “It’s a feel-good story — a local owner finding a way to expand here despite certain challenges.” Bill Hoban said the company has been on State Street since 1914 and described the operational advantages of the Finger Road site.

Ending: Council approved the motion as presented; the mayor announced the motion “succeeds.” Staff will finalize implementation details and carry out the phased site transition and any subsequent site acquisitions or leaseback arrangements according to the redline language approved and city procedures.