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Council authorizes CDBG application for Pacha Soap despite conflicting dollar amounts in record
Summary
Hastings City Council approved Resolution No. 2025‑34 authorizing a CDBG application for Pacha Soap Company to support local manufacturing expansion; staff noted a prior $245,000 public notice but the resolution authorized $255,000 after adding two jobs and roughly $70,000 to the project budget.
The Hastings City Council voted 7‑0 to authorize the chief elected official to sign an application to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for Pacha Soap Company.
Council opened a public hearing on an application that staff introduced in the meeting packet as $245,000. During the hearing staff and counsel said the packet and the resolution on the floor reflected an updated project budget that added two jobs and roughly $70,000 to the prior award amount; as presented at the meeting the resolution authorized $255,000. Councilmember discussion clarified that this replaces a previously approved resolution and consolidates the updated project budget into a single resolution.
Andrew Verbis, CEO of Pacha Soap Company, told the council the company is bringing more production back to Hastings and has recruited workers from outside the region. "We're bringing more of our production lines back into our factory in Hastings," Verbis said, describing the project as an opportunity for local growth.
The council approved Resolution No. 2025‑34 by a 7‑0 vote. The transcript records both the public hearing notice amount ($245,000) and the resolution amount ($255,000); the packet and council discussion indicate the higher amount reflects added positions and budget adjustments.
