A potential new factory will need just over 2 acres of land in the Poplar Bluff Industrial park.
The city has been asked to make a second transfer of property on South Eleventh Street to Poplar Bluff Industries, the economic development division of the chamber of commerce, which is involved in negations with the company.
The matter was discussed Monday by the Poplar Bluff City Council during their regular meeting. The council is expected to vote on the transfer Jan. 22, at their next regular meeting.
This request is for 1.24 acres, according to the discussion. The city transferred .83-acres of property at the same location in August for a proposed industrial customer, said Bill Bach, Municipal Utilities general manager.
Officials have said the possible factory may provide up to 45 jobs initially, but no announcements are expected before February.
The property is part of land set aside by Municipal Utilities for a possible 11th Street substation.
“Smith and Company Engineering and Municipal Utilities staff have reviewed this second request for the proposed 11th Street substation site and Municipal Utilities is able to meet this request,” said Bach.
The matter was discussed by the utility advisory board Monday afternoon and sent to council with their recommendation, according to Bach.
The utility will still have enough property for the substation, city manager Mark Massingham said after the meeting.
The city is also working to secure nearly $1 million in state Community Development Block Grant money because of the new business. The grant money would pay for 85 percent of the expense to replace the South 11th Street bridge and do other nearby road improvements.
No announcements can be made about the possible company until the end of the CDBG process, which could be in February, Massingham has said.
In other business, the council accepted a bid from Robert Thurman III of Fisk for the lease of approximately 29 acres of land near the city airport for a total amount of $3,445 per year. The lease will run until Dec. 31, 2023, according to city documents. The city has previously leased this property for farming.
Council members are also expected to vote Jan. 22 to appoint Terry Morris of the 1200 block of Tremont to a vacant spot on the city’s electrical board. Two applications were received for the spot and preference is given under city regulations to residents who live in the city limits, said Mayor Susan McVey. The other applicant was Scott Stone of Harviell.
In a city manager’s report at the end of the council meeting, Massingham discussed former city manager Tom Lawson. Lawson is moving to St. Louis this month, Massingham said, and it will be a loss to the city. Lawson served as city manager longer than any other person, Massingham said, and has been a major supporter of Poplar Bluff. He was instrumental in helping get Highway 67 to Fredericktown four-laned, and is also involved in efforts to get an Interstate 57 connection through Poplar Bluff, Massingham said.