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Industrial Parks – Space leased, improvements made
A critical need for grain storage has resulted in noticeable industrial site improvements in the Winnsboro Industrial Park, according to Mayor Jack Hammons.
"To cut down on the expense of maintaining approximately 150 acres of property, the city has for many years leased the unused land in the park to those wanting to cultivate the property for hay," Hammons said. "This has certainly been a win-win situation for the city because it relieves us of the burden of mowing and maintaining the property."
"Recently, Winnsboro Elevator approached the city and asked about the possibility of sub-leasing some of the industrial park acreage for the purpose of constructing a pod for storing corn. They explained that they were currently negotiating the purchase of land closer to the elevator, but in the meantime needed a temporary site to store what appears, we hope, to be another bumper crop of grain this year," he said.
The city agreed to sub-lease, providing the contract contained certain language protecting the city's interests, language the mayor said was readily agreed upon.
The lease stipulates that, with notice, Winns-boro Elevator would have the property vacated withing 120 days if the city makes that request. This clause was inserted in case a new industry should want to build on that particular site.
But, there was much work to be done before the grain storage facility could be built. According to Hammons, the pod site has been precision leveled with soil cement added to the roughly 82,000-square foot area that will support the temporary 1.2 million bushel grain storage facility.
Hammons indicated it was his understanding that Winnsboro Elevator has spent well over $30,000 to improve the pod site, which will now offer an 82,000-square foot building pad for future industrial pros-pects.
But, according to the mayor, the dirt work and land preparation hasn't stopped there, as much more work is being completed to enhance the industrial park.
"An industrial site selector who played an integral role in the development of the Toyota site in Canton, Miss., visited the industrial park recently and pointed out that a large industry would most likely need from 20 to 35 acres for industrial development," Hammons said. "After inspecting the site and looking over the map, he told us that the most our city could offer in the park were some 10 acre lots. Though we had a good bit of land up there, it was somewhat chopped up in various configurations because of the ditches as well as the closed landfill."
"With that in mind, the city took advantage of the land leveling equipment being used on the site by using funds from the city's dedicated industrial fund to improve the park," he said. "The police jury has also helped with the drainage issues in the park through the rerouting and clearing of ditches that run through in the area."
"After all is said and done, the park will have the prepared building pad, plus a precision leveled 35-acre site for future industrial prospects," Hammons said. "We are pleased that we were able to do this work at a minimal cost through the cooperation of a number of entities." |
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