Medina approves job-creation grant for Sandridge Food after project revision; presenter abstains

Summary

Council approved a revised Sandridge Food Corporation job-creation grant for a renovation at 111 Commerce Drive: the company committed 10 new full-time positions and roughly $600,000 in new payroll; the grant would cover up to 40% of new payroll taxes for three years. The presenter abstained because her son works at the company.

The finance committee approved a job-creation grant agreement for Sandridge Food Corporation on Dec. 8 after the company revised its project and site plan, staff said.

Economic development staff member Kimberly told the committee Sandridge had withdrawn an earlier project at 820 Lafayette Road and proposed a larger renovation of a newly acquired facility at 111 Commerce Drive. The revised project cost in the packet was listed as $5,333,000. Kimberly said the company committed to 10 new full-time positions with new payroll to the city of about $600,000 and that the grant agreement would provide Sandridge with payments up to 40% of new payroll taxes for three years; staff noted the agreement had been reviewed by the law director and the company.

Kimberly disclosed a conflict and said she would abstain from the vote because her son is employed by Sandridge. The council moved to approve the agreement; the motion carried and the abstention was recorded verbally in the meeting transcript.