CDBG Money Could Spur BioDri Into Action

 In February, after receiving $3.1 million in state tax incentives, BioDri announced that it could begin operating in Blissfield as early as May.

Midway through June, the company which pledged to directly create 337 jobs in the next five years, BioDri is still technically without a home and hiring hasn’t begun.
Blissfield Village officials say that could change soon.

The development has stalled while awaiting the application for and processing of community development block grand funding through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. To qualify for a major tax break on a facility, BioDri was required to wait for the block grants to be approved before it could move into a building in Michigan.

Over the weekend, Village Council President Jae Guetschow dropped off the grant paper work to BioDri Vice President Dan Young in Toledo. He was expected to consult with company officials and return the paper work to the village early this week.

The action could begin soon.

“Once I get (the paperwork) back from Dan, I’ll get it to the MEDC. I’ve already talked to them. As soon as they get it we should have soon have their notice to proceed and then the money can start to be spent within a week,” Village Administrator Jim Wonacott told council at the end of Monday’s meeting. “At that point, they can sign leases and start hiring.”

Guetschow said there could be news by the end of the month.

BioDri is a high-tech company that is expected to bring 337 jobs to Blissfield in the next five years. It plans to utilize a new technology that has many applications, most of which involve taking substance and separating it into water and another byproduct. A state formula estimates that BioDri could create another 318 spinoff jobs. Those numbers do not include hundreds of jobs that could be created if Blissfield Manufacturing were to be chosen to be BioDri’s manufacturing partner. News on that front isn’t expected for several months. BioDri expects to invest $40 million in Blissfield over the next five years.

The Advance attempted to reach Young by phone Thursday. The call was not returned.

In other news from Monday’s meeting:

• Council voted 7-0 to increase the size of the parks and recreation advisory board from six to seven. It also voted 7-0 to appoint Cassie Todd and Margaret Wyman to the board.

• Council voted unanimously to reappoint Lynn Southward and Barb McHenry to the Downtown Development Authority board of directors. There is a vacancy on the board although it may not be filled until the village learns the fate of its Michigan Main Street application.

• Council voted unanimously to approve the River Raisin Festival’s  fireworks application permit. George Loader told council that the fireworks show would be nearly identical to last year’s show. Trustee Mike Gunter asked the festival to distribute a flyer reminding Pearl Street residents about the upcoming display. Last year, some residents expressed concern with debris in the neighborhood. The fireworks show takes place July 9.

• Council voted 7-0 to award the 2010 street crack-filling contract to GT Contracting of Archbold, Ohio. The company was the low bidder, at $12,845.

• Council unanimously approved a recommendation to set the Truth in Taxation hearing for 7 p.m., June 28. According to data provided by the Lenawee county Equalization Department, the village’s 2010 tax rate will remain at 14.2215 mills. That is where it was set in 2009.

• Council voted 7-0 to approve B-Town Bar and Grill’s request to change its liquor license to allow dancing. The issue will now be taken up by the liquor control board.

• Council took no action on a report about this year’s resurfacing.  Quotes from the Lenawee County Road Commission are significantly higher than expected, due to increased materials costs. As it stands now, if the village were to award the contract to the road commission, resurfacing would be done this year on Cherry Street, from Giles Avenue to Depot Street, High Street, from U.S. 223 to Quick Street, and Washington Street, from Pearl Street to the park entrance.

• The council’s committee-of-the-whole will meet at 7 p.m. Monday in the library auditorium. Council spend much of the meeting talking about ways to cut $150,000 from the corridor project planned for U.S. 223 in 2011.  Another issue up for discussion is curbside garbage and recycling service.

Attached is the packet from Monday's council meeting.