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CEDC president says Simple Mining’s proposed facility would be small, use a closed‑loop cooling system and create '20 to 30' jobs
Summary
Ken McDermott, president of the Cascade Economic Development Corporation, told the City Council that Simple Mining’s revised industrial proposal would sit on about 12 acres, include a roughly 50,000–70,000 sq. ft. building with a closed‑loop cooling system and could create 20–30 permanent jobs; council members and attendees asked for more detail and a community meeting once plans are firm.
Ken McDermott, president of the Cascade Economic Development Corporation, used the council’s public‑comment period to try to “put to rest the rumors” about a project Simple Mining is considering for the industrial park, saying the scope is much smaller than some comparisons circulating online.
“We were told it would sit on 12 acres,” McDermott said, describing a footprint for the proposal that would include “a 50 to 70,000 square foot building.” He said the company intends a closed‑loop cooling system and that “the only water that will [be] used would be for break room or restroom facilities for the employees.”
McDermott compared that potential site to much larger data‑center projects elsewhere to explain why residents should not assume similar water or land use. He also said the newer proposal could create “20 to 30 jobs.” “According to Adam, those are … they’ll need three shifts at that facility and those would be permanent jobs,” McDermott said during the comment period.
Council members and meeting attendees pressed McDermott for clarity. One attendee asked whether the 20–30 figure referred only to construction jobs; McDermott replied that the number he cited was intended as permanent positions. Another asked about outside cooling units; McDermott answered “none,” repeating that the system would be contained inside the building.
McDermott said CEDC, which sold the ground to Simple Mining, has drafted a development agreement and conducted due diligence intended to “have adequate guard rails in place to protect the community.” He said approvals will still be required from CEDC and other local partners and that a community meeting will be scheduled before the council approves any final plans.
Residents and council members requested patience until Simple Mining submits firm project plans; McDermott said the public meeting would occur “before you guys approve plans,” and encouraged the council to share the information he provided as public information.
The public‑comment period concluded with the council thanking McDermott and moving on to the consent agenda. No formal application or plan from Simple Mining was presented during the meeting.
