BYRON -- An industrial park in Byron could be the future site of a nearly 7,000-square-foot Leaf Guard facility.
Lindus Construction Inc., according to minutes from a Byron City Council meeting, has expressed interest in constructing the facility on a 3.2-acre lot in Byron West Industrial Park. Leaf Guard is a manufacturer of gutters.
The land would be purchased at $1 per square foot, and the city would provide tax increment financing for eight years.
The city estimates taxes on the facility will be $7,500 annually.
Byron looking to add JOBZ
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Byron is considering throwing its hat into the ring to be one of 10 tax-free areas created by the state's Job Opportunity Building Zones program.
The program, initiated by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, enables cities to create "tax-free" zones in which businesses are exempt from the corporate franchise tax, income tax for business operators or investors, sales tax on goods and services used in the zone, and property tax on improvements, but not on the land, for up to 12 years.
Byron City Administrator Jerry Henricks has recommended that the city participate in the program.
Byron will work with Olmsted, Dodge, Steele and Mower counties to identify 5,000 acres for the program.
Walking for the dead
CHATFIELD -- Chatfield residents will be honoring influential deceased residents with a cemetery walk Sept. 27.
The event is part of the city's 150th anniversary celebration.
The walk will be from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Chatfield Cemetery. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children. The walk will last 60 to 90 minutes.
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Guides will wear clothing typically worn during the time the honored resident died, according to Joel Young, Chatfield city clerk.
The graves of the city's first bankers, George and Annah Haven; a state senator, Milo White Sr.; and a 14-year-old veteran of the Civil War and Dakota uprising, Charlie Culver, will be among the 10 graves visited during the walk.
Upcoming city council meetings
Byron: 6 p.m., Sept. 10, Fire Hall.
Chatfield: 7 p.m., Sept. 8, Thurber Building (City Hall).
Dover: 7 p.m., Thursday, City Hall.
Eyota: 7:30 p.m., Sept. 11, City Hall.
Oronoco: 7 p.m., Sept. 15, City Hall.
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Pine Island: 7 p.m., Sept. 16, City Hall.
Stewartville: 7 p.m., Sept. 9, City Hall.
Olmsted News is a weekly report of what's happening in small cities in and bordering Olmsted County. The report appears Wednesdays in the City/Region section. If you have news or comments, call area reporter Lanier Frush Holt at 285-7635, or send him an e-mail at lholt@postbulletin.com.
