The Burlington city council has approved a development agreement with a meat stick and jerky manufacturer planning an $18 million expansion of its factory in the Flint Ridge Business Park.
Western Smokehouse Partners plans to add a new warehouse and freezer building at its Burlington factory in the former Dresser Rand facility at 3800 West Ave.
The expansion is expected to add upwards of 100 jobs.
Per the development agreement with the city, the company must complete the work by the end of 2026. The agreement then runs from 2028 to 2038. In exchange for the expansion, the company will receive semiannual tax increment financing payments totaling up to $510,000 for the length of the agreement.
“So that means that the company agrees to make certain improvements and then the city agrees to rebate portion of the property taxes over that 10-year period of time,” said City Manager Chad Bird.
Payments will subject to annual appropriation by the city council and will be made only from incremental property tax revenues generated by the improvements.
Taylor Collins, executive director of economic development for Greater Burlington Partnership, was the only person to speak during a public hearing prior to the vote. He urged the council to approved the agreement.
“We're very lucky to have this investment amid a very challenging time in the manufacturing space. So this is a major win for the area,” Collins said.
The council previously amended its urban renewal plan to add Western Smokehouse Partners.
The city is covering initial payment of legal fees and administrative costs related to drafting and authorizing the agreement, which states the city can withhold up to $10,000 from the property tax revenues to cover those costs before making payments to the company.
Western Smokehouse Partners is headquartered in downtown Galesburg and it also currently has a production facility at 2860 W. Main St.
The company expects to begin production at another Galesburg site, the former Maytag plant, 1801 Monmouth Blvd., this fall. The company also operates factories in Greentop, Mo., Shelly, Idaho, and Springfield,Ill.
Tri States Public Radio produced this story. TSPR relies on financial support from our readers and listeners in order to provide coverage of the issues that matter to west central Illinois, southeast Iowa, and northeast Missouri. As someone who values the content created by TSPR's news department, please consider making a financial contribution.
