---

The city of Taylors Falls hasn’t had much interest expressed by anyone wanting to locate in its business/industrial park, situated west of downtown; until Monday night this week, when three enterprises seeking more feedback from council members were on the agenda.

The Hursh Ironworks and a cannabis cultivation company King Kind, were heard first. 

An individual looking for a small site for an excavating business spoke briefly but concluded his plans probably weren’t sized for what Taylors Falls wants or needs.

The Ironworks proposal was presented by Sam Hursh. The business is in Center City but is too large for that site.  He said the business needs a 10,000 to 20,000 square foot building and an office structure of about 2,000 square feet, plus a separate structure for painting what they fabricate.

Hursh said if he can complete a timely acquisition of the lots needed the company would be ready to break ground by August 2024.

Shawn Tetrault, representing the cannabis greenhouse, said the project is striving to stay ahead of the state licensing review process so it will be ready to break ground immediately upon getting licensed.  He described the general contracting firm Forterra, as ready to go, said financing is lined up and the grow operation would be ready to start building ASAP and have product to wholesale (no retail here) in the first or second quarter of 2025. Tetrault has been involved in similar projects in California and Michigan, he said.  The consulting team behind this facility is batting 1,000 as far as licensing completion nationally.

Taylors Falls can expect  several dozen jobs tied to this site, at living wages. 

County HRA/EDA Executive Director Nancy Hoffman explained some of the history behind the business park creation, which Chisago County assisted Taylors Falls in developing infrastructure.  There also is a property tax assistance fund available through a state grant, that was awarded about 10 years ago.  Hoffman added the county help was based on job creation and to boost economic activity in Taylors Falls, which has long been at a disadvantage competing with the State of Wisconsin.  

Hoffman said previous city officials worked to get the city some industrial/business property tax base, highlighting efforts of former Mayor Mike Buchite.  Over the years he testified at the legislature and was available for site visits and the city worked with state officials, but Taylors Falls never quite seemed to fit in aid categories like cities competing near the Dakotas did, for example. 

Taylors Falls city zoning administrator Elizabeth Haas advised council that she would like direction on council preferences and or concerns before these two projects advance.

Mayor Brandon Weiberg said the projects appear feasible and he marvelled at how— after so long with no prospects— the city suddenly has two businesses that will pretty much use what’s available.  He asked Haas to continue to meet and get details on site plan, maybe do a site visit and test noise levels on proposed ironworks practices, do measurements for accurate distances and council will put this on their next agenda.

Council member Tim Grote said he’s a “fan of manufacturing” as far as an economy building sector, adding the cannabis facility is going to go somewhere, Taylors Falls is just as good a place as any.

In general business, council awarded a HVAC rooftop unit replacement to Aerotek for about $13,400. The heat went out in the lower level of the city building.

Lift station and well pumps failed recently and these are approved for replacement, with funds in the enterprise accounts to cover costs.  

Plus, turnout gear purchase was okayed for the fire department, not to exceed $10,000.

Area resident Molly Irish was appointed to the Economic Development Commission and the term for Fred Bechtold on the planning commission was extended by request.  Deb Julik Heine, Pastor Kevin Schumann and Rich Smith were named to the city Parks Commission.

Easy I-T Guys will be hired for about $1,300 to do a cyber data security assessment of city systems.  The service assesses risks to electronic data on all devices used by city officials and staff, and will make recommendations if any adjustments are needed.

---