Electrical transformer company plans to locate in Prairie du Chien
By Correne Martin
A new industrial company that manufactures, repairs, and recycles electrical transformers will likely take root soon in Prairie du Chien’s North Gateway Business Park. Solomon Corporation, based in Solomon, Kan., plans to open and operate its fifth regional location at the business park’s spec building, owned by Bill Adamany, during the first quarter of 2016.
The city council approved offering an incentive package to Solomon Corporation following closed session at its Tuesday night meeting. The terms are: 1) The city will provide a loan of $571,125, at 0 percent interest, to the company for a term of 15 years, with monthly payments of $3,173, beginning Jan. 1, 2017, and the Solomon Corporation shall provide a mortgage on its property in Prairie du Chien as collateral for the loan; and 2) the city will sell the company two adjacent acres in the business park at a price of $100 per acre. The council approved these terms unanimously.
If the incentive offer to Solomon Corporation is accepted, and the transaction is completed, then, at closing, the city will terminate its current loan to Adamany and also terminate its development agreement with and an option to purchase granted to Adamany.
“On behalf of Mayor (Dave) Hemmer, the Common Council, and the city of Prairie du Chien, I would like to extend a hearty welcome to the Solomon Corporation, which appears poised to join our impressive roster of commercial and industrial partners in 2016,” City Administrator Aaron Kramer said in a statement Wednesday morning. “When the city proposed constructing a spec building with Bill Adamany three years ago, this was exactly what we were hoping would eventually transpire—new and productive jobs with a progressive and expanding company. I understand the company is hoping to complete some concluding steps in the process, mainly with the state of Wisconsin, within a week or so before the transaction is ‘final.’
“Economic development takes time and patience, and with help from the dedicated staff of the Prairie du Chien Economic Development Corporation and Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of Commerce, who assisted the city tremendously in this endeavor, that patience has paid off.”
According to Solomon Corporation’s website (solomoncorp.com), their regional locations are in Decatur, Tenn., Grand Junction, Colo., and Georgetown, Texas, in addition to its home base. They carry a large inventory of new, rebuilt, and remanufactured polemounts, padmounts, substations, regulators and reclosers. They specialize in the procurement of high-voltage transformers, distribution transformers, voltage regulators, and oil circuit reclosers. They also boast more than 40 years of experience in handling, testing, recycling, and disposal of power-distribution equipment.
Request to restore SafeRide budget funds
During a public hearing on the budget, Scott Nichols, SafeRide coordinator from the Crawford County Tavern League, spoke to the council in hopes that budget funds for the SafeRide program could be restored. A public hearing to further discuss the matter is scheduled for the Dec. 15 council meeting.
Mayor Hemmer also proposed the city allocate some contingency funds to carry out specific programs, such as the downtown flower project, with PdC Main Street.
Council vacancy
Kramer informed the council there would be an agenda item on the Dec. 15 council meeting to decide how to fill the council vacancy created by Kyle Kozelka’s resignation, effective Dec. 31.
Other business
In considering items for future agendas, Alderwoman Jean Titlbach said she has received calls from constituents opposed to the proposed blowing of the sirens daily at noon, which is to be considered by the public works committee at a later meeting. Alderman Nate Gilberts asked if the staff would look into drop boxes at the boat launches for people to purchase boat passes during off-hours.
Tony Kurtz, the new regional representative for Senator Ron Johnson, was present and introduced himself to the council.
