City Council Resolution 2022-61 (JCF WiHa Tools)CITY OF MONTICELLO
CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-61
RESOLUTION REGARDING THE SUPPORT OF A JOB CREATION FUND
APPLICATION IN CONNECTION WITH WIHA TOOLS
WHEREAS, the City of Monticello, Minnesota (the "City"), desires to assist WiHa
Tools, a manufacturer and distributor of premium hand tools, which is proposing to construct a
facility in the City; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Monticello understands that WiHa Tools, through and with the
support of the City, intends to submit to the Minnesota Department of Employment and
Economic Development an application for an award and/or rebate from the Job Creation Fund
Program; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Monticello held a city council meeting on May 23, 2022, to
consider this matter.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
Monticello, Minnesota, that, after due consideration, the Mayor and City Council of the City of
Monticello, Minnesota, hereby adopts the following findings of fact related to the project
proposed by WiHa Tools and its application for an award and/or rebate from the Job Creation
Fund Program and express their approval.
The City Council hereby finds and adopts the reasons and facts supporting the following
findings of fact for the approval of the Job Creation Fund Program application:
1. Finding that the project is in the public interest because it will encourage the growth of
commerce and industry, prevent the movement of current or future operations to
locations outside Minnesota, result in increased employment in Minnesota, and preserve
or enhance the state and local tax base.
WiHa Tools has indicated that it will construct a new 70,000 square foot assembly and
warehouse facility and add 59 new FTE staff to its current workforce. The annual
property tax increase from the new addition will be approximately $65,000. The
company leadership has considered potential sites outside of MN in its site search
process.
2. Finding that the proposed project, in the opinion of the City Council, would not
reasonably expect to occur solely through private investment within the reasonably
foreseeable future.
WiHa Tools has stated that it will not be able to undertake the construction of the new
70,000 square foot warehouse and assembly facility without financial assistance needed
to fill a gap of approximately $1,600,000.
3. Finding that the proposed project conforms to the general plan for the development or
redevelopment of the City as a whole.
WiHa Tools' proposed new facility is to be located on a site zoned IBC (Industrial
Business Campus) in the City. The Comprehensive Plan supports efforts to retain existing
businesses and increase the tax base and grow the local economy through new
employment opportunities.
4. Finding that the proposed project will afford maximum opportunity, consistent with the
sound needs of the City as a whole, for the redevelopment or development of the project
by private enterprise.
WiHa Tools has identified a funding gap and indicates that without
assistance it will not be able to move forward with the construction of a new 70,000
square foot facility as desired at the 7th Street East site in Monticello. By obtaining a JCF
Grant, a portion of the needed funding assistance will be secured. In combining JCF
Grant dollars with additional local funding programs, it will help ensure that the funding
gap is filled, and the development of a new WiHa Tools' facility can occur as proposed.
ADOPTED this 23rd day of May, 2022, by the City Council of the City of Monticello,
Minnesota.
MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
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