By Louis Hoglund
Warmer weather has heated up economic development activity in Perham--including the prospects of a new retail complex, a new facility for a construction firm and an RV campground project.
The long-rumored Family Dollar Store, which is expected to be an anchor at the Happel addition commercial site near Highway 10, is beginning to move forward.
Simple K, LLC has applied for Tax Increment Financing for the building--which includes 13,000 square feet for the retail dollar store. Plans for the complex include an additional 5,000 square feet for three professional offices.
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Total project cost is projected at $1.1 million, according to Chuck Johnson, Economic Development Authority director, in a written report to the Perham City Council.
EDA hearing slated May 4
Tax increment financing and business subsidies for this and a Hammers Construction project will be the focus of a May 4 special EDA meeting, noon at city hall.
Hammers Construction
eyes move
A new headquarters is on the drawing board for Hammers Construction, which has outgrown its present location.
The firm is planning a short move, a few blocks to the south, to a 5.7 acre parcel on the southeast corner of the Happel Addition.
Hammers has submitted a JOBZ application to the city, which will be on he agenda for the May 4 EDA meeting.
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Under the state JOBZ program, companies that build or expand in designated zones qualify for property and income tax breaks. In Hammers case, there is a job creation requirement to qualify for the JOBZ incentives. The firm needs to expand its workforce by five new employees.
Currently, the proposed Hammers site is not currently on the citys official JOBZ inventory. The EDA office is beginning the process of a new designation of JOBZ acreage to accommodate the Hammers project, according to Johnson.
The EDA will review the project May 4. The JOBZ designation will be on the Perham City Council agenda May 8.
RV park construction
underway
On the southwest side of town, a development Perham has long waited for is taking shape: an RV park.
City and Perham Chamber of Commerce officials have long recognized a void in service to Recreational Vehicle campers. The council has even discussed a city operated RV camp facility, on park land near the Pioneer Grounds.
But a private developer has stepped in to create an RV park.
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Chuck and Brenda Minge are creating a 25 site RV facility near their Cactus Corral supper club and bowling lanes.
Amenities will include water, electric, sewer and Internet.
The RV park is expected to be ready for first clients by late June.
