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Hebron launches 'Trailblazers' CIC and previews amended Microsoft agreement, ribbon cutting
Summary
Hebron's economic development director announced the new Hebron Trailblazers CIC, upcoming Microsoft data center groundbreaking and a proposed amended development agreement with Microsoft; council was told a TIF will help fund related infrastructure and two items were set for first reading at the next regular meeting.
Britney Weisner, the village's economic and community development director, told the Hebron council on Feb. 17 that Hebron Trailblazers, a new community improvement corporation, is officially established and is completing bank accounts and 501(c)(3) paperwork ahead of a public launch event Friday with about 76 people registered.
Weisner said the CIC is intended to provide grassroots volunteer activation and resources for local businesses and residents that the village itself does not directly provide, and she asked council members to be prepared to offer brief remarks about why they support the CIC at the kickoff. “Hebron Trailblazers is officially established,” she said, adding the organization is seeking investors and forming its board.
The council was also briefed on development activity tied to a tax-increment financing (TIF) agreement. Weisner said the TIF approved for a new residential development will be used to leverage tax dollars for infrastructure improvements and reported that construction-related site work could begin soon. She reminded the council that Microsoft holds a mass-grading permit and a ribbon-cutting and groundbreaking are scheduled for Feb. 24 at 11 a.m. in village chambers; she said the village has not yet issued building-construction permits. “If you do start seeing some trees being removed or some dirt being moved, I don't want you to be alarmed,” she said.
The chair announced two pieces of pending legislation for first reading at the next regular meeting: Ordinance 01-26, to create the position of Economic and Community Development Assistant Director for the Village of Hebron, and Resolution 26-02, authorizing the mayor or the mayor’s agent to execute an amended development agreement with Microsoft Corporation and declaring an emergency. The resolution was presented as emergency legislation but is scheduled only as a first reading at this session.
Weisner characterized the amendment to the Microsoft development agreement as a change that gives Microsoft flexibility on the timing of certain infrastructure resurfacing work while keeping Microsoft accountable for providing the agreed-upon funding. “Microsoft committed to give us the amount, and then the village and Microsoft can work out when that needs to happen,” the chair said when describing the amendment.
Why it matters: the CIC could channel volunteer and small-business support at a grassroots level and expand local capacity to pursue grants and facade-improvement programs, while the Microsoft development and associated TIF will shape district infrastructure and future permitting activity. The resolution to amend the Microsoft agreement, flagged as an emergency item for first reading, will return for further consideration and any necessary votes at a later meeting.
What's next: the council will consider Ordinance 01-26 and Resolution 26-02 at first reading at the next regular meeting; staff will continue outreach related to the CIC launch and respond to resident questions about construction activity as site work begins.
