Council approves Solventum expansion package with TIF reimbursement tied to 46 jobs

The Brookings City Council voted to approve a development agreement and tax-increment financing (TIF) support for a proposed $220 million expansion of Solventum’s Brookings manufacturing site. City staff described the agreement as carrying performance requirements tied to creating 46 jobs and outlined the revenue impacts the project could produce for the city.

City staff told the council an earlier memorandum of understanding laid the groundwork for the proposal. The expansion described in the packet includes additional warehouse space and shipping docks; staff said the agreement allows $3,500,000 in TIF reimbursement, projected incremental sales-tax revenue of about $2.6 million and roughly $900,000 in TIF for the city if performance targets are met.

Jim Burke, site director for Solventum’s Brookings plant, told the council the company has operated in Brookings for five decades and currently employs nearly 1,200 people at the site. Burke said the new work will add about 46 positions tied to a new production line, maintenance and technical roles, and supply-chain leadership. He said prior reductions from departing product lines were absorbed elsewhere in the plant and that the expansion will result in a net increase in employment, though not necessarily a full +46 net above today’s headcount.

Councilmembers generally expressed support for the project and for sustaining a long-term manufacturing partner in Brookings, while at least one member said they would vote against the motion to signal concerns about specific contractual details and the timeline. City staff said the agreement contains assurances designed to ensure the city receives the promised revenue tied to the TIF.

The motion to approve the development agreement passed on a roll-call vote. The council did not record an itemized enforcement schedule within the public discussion beyond the performance requirements noted in the packet; staff indicated they would monitor adherence to the job and revenue commitments described in the agreement.

Next steps: staff will implement the agreement per its terms and monitor the performance metrics described in the packet; council members asked staff to circulate any additional details about net job counts previously affected by product-line changes.