County outlines project management agreement to use $20 million from legislatively modified economic development grant

County manager Brian Eppley briefed commissioners that recent legislative changes provide flexibility for $20 million of a previously awarded $35.8 million economic development grant held by BDI, enabling use to construct shell industrial buildings at an existing industrial park.

Eppley said the original October 2023 grant included about $35.8 million, with roughly $13.8 million restricted for water and wastewater infrastructure expansion and $22 million originally unrestricted. The General Assembly authorized flexibility for $20 million of the formerly unrestricted funds; $13.8 million remains restricted for utility infrastructure and approximately $2 million of the original $22 million remains as before, Eppley said.

BDI holds an option on the property through 2033 at an acquisition price described as $32 million. Eppley said the $20 million could fund construction of shell buildings on existing pad‑graded sites at the park — providing “speed to market” for potential tenants — and that a project management agreement between BDI and the county, required by the enabling legislation, would establish joint decision‑making on architecture, contractors, building size and site selection.

Eppley said the baseline project management agreement is in the board packet and will be brought back for detailed consideration at a forthcoming work session and at the regular meeting. No final commitment to spend grant funds was made during the pre‑agenda session; commissioners were given the chance to discuss the concept and will consider the management agreement in two weeks.

The county did not vote on the agreement at the pre‑agenda meeting; the item will remain on the agenda for formal action.