Plainfield council backs letter of support for cannabis cultivation/manufacturing at Madison Avenue site; city could receive ~2% revenue

The Plainfield City Council voted to support a cannabis cultivation and manufacturing operation proposed for 300–324 Madison Avenue and to provide a letter of support for a related application.

“The cannabis cultivation and manufacturing offers the city an opportunity to receive 2% of the total revenue,” the director of economic development told the council and estimated each facility could generate “a little over $10,000,000 in revenue” for cultivation and a similar amount for manufacturing, producing roughly $400,000 annually at the cited 2% rate.

Council members asked how the city will ensure that the ordinance’s hiring target — which requires a share of employees be Plainfield residents — is met. The director said applicants must submit a business plan that includes staffing projections, and vendors provide annual audit reports; the city monitors hiring during quarterly reviews tied to revenue reporting. “They’re required to submit annual reports in their audit reports,” the director said when asked whether rosters are filed.

Councilors and the administration discussed privacy and enforcement limits. The mayor cautioned against collecting employees’ full addresses because of privacy concerns and potential legal issues under state law referenced during the meeting. The director proposed requiring vendors to swear to a binding statement certifying the number of Plainfield hires and noted the council could make compliance a condition of any redevelopment or designation agreement. If a vendor fails to comply, the administration said the city could withdraw its letter of support and raise follow-up licensing concerns with the cannabis regulatory authority.

The resolution to support cultivation and manufacturing passed on the council floor by roll call: six members voted in favor and one opposed.

What passed: council added a resolution backing cultivation and manufacturing at the proposed Madison Avenue site and supporting a related application. Staff said the designation, if realized, would create jobs and provide community benefits tied to redevelopment agreements.

Next steps: economic-development staff said they will condition designations and agreements on business plans, monitor quarterly revenue and reporting, and explore documentation approaches the council could require to verify local hiring without exposing private addresses.