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Spring Grove weighs $640,000 industrial-park paving as local soda maker eyes expansion
Summary
City and EDA discussed a WHKS engineering estimate of about $640,000 to pave the industrial park, the possibility of a 50% BDPI grant match, recurring dust-control costs, and Spring Grove Soda Pop’s potential need for land and annexation estimated at roughly $500,000.
Courtney Bergey Swanson, co-director of the Economic Development Authority, presented a WHKS engineering study estimating about $640,000 to pave roads in the industrial park and said the EDA is exploring a state BDPI grant that would provide a 50% match for the work. “How can we work better together to serve Spring Grove?” Bergey Swanson asked as she opened the update and outlined problems caused by dust and water runoff in the park.
The EDA has sold six of seven lots in the park and has been paying for annual dust control treatments alongside the city; the study and recent business requests for paving prompted the discussion. Bergey Swanson said dust control costs about $1,300 per application and that the city and EDA have been splitting that cost 50/50. Administrator Jana Elton confirmed that, even with a 50% grant match, the city would need to identify funding for the remaining share and suggested the work could be considered in upcoming rounds of municipal road projects.
The group discussed technical design choices. EDA board member Dave Morken asked whether businesses were told the roads would be paved; Elton said, because the park is inside city limits and the EDA was the developer, the city has responsibility for paving. Council members debated whether to include curb and gutter: Hoekstra noted curb and gutter reduces water-runoff problems, while Morken questioned the necessity for an industrial park.
Bergey Swanson also said Spring Grove Soda Pop is exploring expansion and may need more land immediately east of the park; running city water and sewer to that location and annexing the property were estimated at about $500,000. Councilor Trent Turner and others discussed potential rezoning and proximity to existing businesses, including Midwest Industrial Fuels, and noted that expansion would require rezoning to heavy industrial and careful review of hazardous materials in the corridor.
Next steps include the EDA investigating BDPI grant eligibility and, if the city’s financial advisor supports it, submitting a grant application and evaluating whether to bundle the work with planned public-works projects.
