March 28, 2024

Beck’s Hybrid project moving forward in Colfax

A $15 million corn seed retail and distribution center is moving forward in Colfax with plans to create 50 new full-time jobs.

An update on the Beck’s Hybrid, a 90,000 square-foot distribution center, was detailed by Jasper County Economic Development Corporation Director Chaz Allen during Tuesday’s Jasper County Board of Supervisors meeting.

“We’re trying to get Internet under the interstate and we’re working to get the sewer water next to the hotel so that it runs into the city,” Allen said.

He currently has two bids from Mediacom and INS for the services and is using LightEdge out of Altoona, a consulting company who works with businesses on critical IT requirements. The Internet must go to Altoona because of the higher speed of Internet required for the business than what is currently available in Colfax.

Corn has also been removed from the area where they are planning to construct the building.

“The building company, I think, is from Minnesota. They build these prefabricated buildings so as soon as it gets here, it is going up quick,” Allen said.

So far, Allen said the process has gone smoothly with the Indiana company and nothing has been holding up the schedule. He said things will keep moving forward and eventually he will come back to the board to fulfill its contract.

Beck’s is set to receive a 75 percent abatement the first year, 60 percent in year two, 45 percent the third year, 30 percent the fourth year and 15 percent the fifth year. Following the abatement, the county will begin receiving tax revenue from the center.

Also, whatever parameters the state sets for the company, he expects is what the county will also do. If the state requires a designated amount of jobs, a building and other yet to be determined parameter, the county will follow with the states requirements.

In other business:

• The board approved the quarterly and yearly reports that ended in June for the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office.

• The Jasper County Recorder’s monthly reports for June were also approved.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com