City of Centralia Industrial Commission met Oct. 18.
Here is the minutes provided by the commission:
Members Present: Dave Agee, Bo Baer, Dick Cary, Bob Feig, Jack Mann, Bill Sprehe, Lloyd Vestal, and Tom Ashby
Members Absent: Ken Coughlin, Travis Etheridge, Ty Orr, and Dan Ramey
Also Present: Rose Aldag-McVey - Economic Development Director, Kala Lambert – Assistant to City Manager, Bryan Hunt – Reporter, Centralia Morning Sentinel, and Travis Carlock – Assistant Store Manager, Walmart
Public Comment: None
Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Bo Baer and second by Dick Cary to approve the minutes from July 19, 2018, all in favor, motion carries.
Ongoing Business:
The Crooked Creek bridge project will begin Spring 2019 reported Aldag-McVey. City leaders went to Springfield and met with officials. Originally the project entailed Route 161 closure for 24 months, the project will now include Route 161 closure for no longer than eleven months. Mayor Ashby stated that Shattuc Road will be closed two weeks or less. Letting for bids will be November nine.
New Business:
Aldag-McVey introduced Travis Carlock, Assistant Store Manager, Walmart. Prior to opening the super Walmart, the Commission learned of the store’s anticipated changes. Carlock shared actual employment and sales figures along with anticipated changes in the near future which includes the addition of grocery pickup service. Carlock reported that the grocery pickup service will create 6 additional jobs in the beginning. He stated store sales are up from last year at this time. He stated that Centralia is 3rd in the Market of 10 stores. Carlock also reported that 11 jobs were created recently in the “Fresh CAP Team” which strictly focuses on produce, meat and frozen foods.
Carlock reported that they currently have 226 associates, which does not include 9 from management, or pharmacy of those 137 are full time and 89 part time.
Carlock also explained some of their automation within the store including automatic unloading of trucks and robots that monitor the store for misplaced item identification and floor cleaning.
The Annual Business Appreciation Reception will be held Monday, November fifth at Centralia House Restaurant and will be sponsored by Centralia Home Center. Aldag-McVey asked Commission members to attend, greet attendees, and encourage mingling.
Discussion:
Aldag-McVey shared information about Opportunity Zone investor benefits which includes the deferment of capital gains the potential for tax exemption of 15% of those gains. Northern Centralia is the only area in Marion County designated as an Opportunity Zone, thanks to the diligent work of City Manager Dan Ramey and Kala Lambert. After ten years, the gain from an investment in an Opportunity Zone is tax excluded. Federal regulations are anticipated to be finalized in November.
Aldag-McVey shared a handout about the benefits that City Staff picked up at a recent conference regarding the Opportunity Zone. Commission members were encouraged to share information with their tax preparers, financial advisors, and potential investors.
In response to industry workforce concerns, City officials have assisted Greg Sutton and area educational institutions, who are applying for a Talent Pipeline grant. Locally, both Pinnacle Foods and Graphic Packaging have agreed to partner on the grant application which is intended to develop a sustainable work-based learning program to educate youth and provide hands on experience prior to being extended a position in a manufacturing environment. This grant outlines a co-op type multi- week program for high school age individuals and includes career pathways, life skills, and a factory- type line, all with the intent to encourage and motivate youth to seek jobs in industry and the trades. The grant award announcement will be late 2018 with this program anticipated to begin the second quarter of 2019.
The Pleasant Avenue roadway project has begun. The road between Martin Luther King Drive and Rexford is closed as work takes place; the road will be widened at the local hospital which will improve wayfinding and appearance. The project is anticipated to be five weeks in duration.
A motion was made by Vestal and second by Baer to adjourn the meeting.
https://cityofcentralia.org/vertical/sites/%7BFC680FE7-BE5C-4903-A103-67AF5EF51655%7D/uploads/Oct_2018_Reg_Meeting.pdf
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