Council hears proposal to offer up to $500,000 in sewer/water economic development grant for Balliscor site

Economic development staff on Aug. 11 briefed the council on a proposed sewer and water infrastructure reimbursement grant of up to $500,000 to support Balliscor’s planned manufacturing facility on Ferry Street.

Sophie Adams, economic development manager, said the sewer-and-water economic development funds date to 2003 and are intended to offset infrastructure costs for job‑creating projects. Adams presented a project overview for Balliscor (identified in the memo as the company seeking the award), saying the company’s first phase would include site preparation and a manufacturing facility estimated in the $14–$15 million range and create roughly 40 living-wage jobs in the city; later phases could bring substantially more jobs (staff cited a potential in the “ballpark” of 150 jobs at full build-out).

Adams noted the grants are paid on a reimbursement basis and the fund balance in the adopted budget can support the request. She said the Economic Development Advisory Commission had reviewed and recommended the project. Adams also noted that Balliscor’s site work would create two developable one‑acre parcels that could support additional job-creating projects.

Councilors asked staff about prior recipients and staff identified recent recipients including the Takina Hub manufacturing project and Core Quest Automation; staff confirmed the item is informational this evening and that the award recommendation will be on the Wednesday packet for council action.

No council vote was taken at the work session; staff will return with a formal award item for council consideration.