Hubbard County HRA/EDA approves $19,000 scoping contract for industrial park study

The Hubbard County HRA/EDA voted to approve a $19,000 proposal from Widseth to complete project scoping, stakeholder meetings and public outreach related to a proposed industrial park.

The work approved covers an initial scoping phase: meetings with stakeholders including Barton Township and utility companies, public meetings to capture community concerns, and a scoping report that would define development concepts (for example, differentiating light-industrial from heavy-industrial uses). The director told the board Widseth’s original proposal had been $40,000 but the firm revised the immediate scope and priced the initial phase at $19,000.

Board members discussed timing and the likely schedule for the scoping work. The director said Widseth could start as soon as the county gave the go-ahead and estimated a roughly three-month timeline if a start occurred in early August. Board members noted the scoping would examine road access and site development options, issues raised repeatedly by members of the public.

A board member said proceeds from future lot sales or tax capacity increases would be the primary sources to recover the cost, noting the HRA expects to recoup development expenses through land sale revenue. A motion to proceed with the proposal was made, seconded and the board approved the Widseth scoping contract; the vote was taken by voice and recorded as "Motion carried." The motion authorized staff to proceed with the scoped work and return results to the stakeholders and board.

Board members framed the vote as a next-step, not an endorsement of any final development plan. Several members emphasized that the scoping phase is intended to surface community concerns — for example, water and sewer limitations — and provide clearer concepts before committing to larger design or infrastructure contracts.