Gibson City Council approves TIF redevelopment deal for CNI II plant expansion

Gibson City on Monday adopted Ordinance 2025-O-05 to approve a TIF redevelopment agreement with CNI II, LLC and Steve Gikas for an expansion at an existing facility in the city. Mayor Daniel Dickey introduced Gikas, who described plans to raze an existing building, construct an 80x140 processing building to produce corn nuggets, add seven to ten employees, and install a $900,000 filtration upgrade.

The ordinance was moved by Alderman Randy Wyant and seconded by Alderman Terry Roesch. In a roll-call vote, Aldermen Randy Wyant and Denis Fisher abstained; Aldermen Ray Hankes, Susie Tongate, Scott Davis, Laura Miller, Terry Roesch, Sarah Sarantakos and Mayor Daniel Dickey voted in favor. The tally reported in the meeting record was seven votes in favor and two abstentions; no votes against were recorded.

Mayor Dickey told the council that "TIF eligible costs are reviewed and approved by our TIF counsel before any reimbursements are made." Gikas said the project "will look entirely different." The council did not record further amendments to the agreement at the meeting.

The motion and vote were taken during the New Business portion of the April 14 meeting after the Plan Commission recommendations were presented. The record does not specify the ordinance's effective date or the precise schedule for reimbursement, and it notes that TIF-eligible costs must be reviewed by TIF counsel before reimbursements are made.

The council did not discuss other potential environmental or permitting requirements for the expansion at the meeting.