Keene city officials said on Dec. 4 that an offer from a company identified in the meeting as "Metal Plate" is expected to purchase 60 acres in the city’s industrial park and develop at least two manufacturing facilities.
City Manager Jonathan Seitz described the proposal as starting with one manufacturing building that would create roughly 80–100 jobs; a subsequent facility, he said, would add a similar number. Seitz described the jobs as paying a median income in the vicinity of $70,000 to $100,000 and said the transaction is a cash purchase that would generate sales tax and other economic benefits for Keene.
Seitz cautioned that the item was not yet a finalized contract: "I don't have the official offer, but it is coming, which we'll present to the board," he told council. He said earlier complications — including a gas‑line issue — threatened the deal but that a professional contact helped resurrect negotiations.
Council discussed school‑district tax implications for the site (the property would remain under the Alvarado school district for school taxes) and the timing of any presentations to the city’s governing board. Staff said more information and a formal offer will be presented when available.
Ending: City staff indicated they will bring the formal offer to council for consideration and any required approvals; council did not take a final vote on the potential sale during the Dec. 4 meeting.