Story by Amber Ningen, Hemingford Ledger

The Village of Hemingford Board of Trustees are showing support for a wheat seed facility project that is planned for north of Hemingford.

The Board heard a presentation on the project from Brad Hansen, Hemingford, and Mike Bacon, Gothenburg attorney, during their regular meeting on July 16. Hansen discussed the main points of the planned wheat seed facility while Bacon discussed Tax Increment Funding (TIF), which they would like to use for the project.

Hansen said this project has been in the works for a several years. A number of locations were thought of for the location of the facility and Hemingford ended up being chosen.

 “This is our hometown,” Hansen said, adding that the facility would bring people to town and would create a few jobs.

Hansen said the plant will be used primarily to clean small grains, such as wheat and oats.

The facility will be about 170 feet by 60 feet, along with some bins. It will cost about $5 million to build.

Bacon spoke to the Board about TIF, which is a public financing method used as a subsidy for redevelopment and infrastructure.

Bacon said in order to use TIF, projects must be reviewed by a Zoning Board and comply with the Village’s comprehensive plan.

The only problem right now is that the Village of Hemingford does not have a comprehensive plan. This issue will need to be resolved before project plans can proceed.

After some further brief discussion, a motion was made to approve a memorandum of understanding for the project, which is subject to the comprehensive plan issue being resolved and further legal review.

Hansen said they would like to have the facility ready for next year’s wheat harvest.