Officials say location, business incentives make industrial park parcel appealing to company
Village officials have hailed Belgium’s proximity to I-43 and business incentives as factors that could result in the construction of a 60,000-square-foot manufacturing plant
in the village’s industrial park.
Village President Richard Howells did not identify the company interested in building in Belgium at Monday’s Village Board meeting, but said its based in Denmark, Wis.,
and manufactures rebar.
“They want to build a facility that can keep up with their demand,” he said.
Howells said the company will consider a proposal from the village next week.
Members of the Village Board, Chamber of Commerce, Ozaukee Economic Development and the Ansay Development Corporation have been working with the business,
Howells said.
Chamber of Commerce President Jay Lauer said although it is exciting to have a perspective business interested in the community, a variety of factors will determine if it
will be the right fit for both sides.
“It’s got to be a win for Belgium and it’s got to be a win for the company,” Lauer said. “We need to learn a little bit more about them, what their requirements are and present
some things that are unique to Belgium.”
The manufacturing plant would bring 60 to 80 jobs to the community, Howells said. It would be located on 12 to 20 acres in the village’s industrial park, making the
company eligible for incentives from the tax increment finance district.
Last year, the Village Board approved offering $1,000 for every full-time employee hired by a company that moves into the TIF district as a forgivable loan up to $25,000.
For each year the business remains in the village, $2,000 would be forgiven, with the balance of the loan forgiven in the sixth year.
Lauer said the company is also looking at other potential locations outside of Belgium.
The company will decide on a location within 60 days, Howells said, and wants to break ground in the selected community this year.
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