Beacon adds jobs

Prospects dim for

Firmenich expansion

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Beacon Promotions is taking on more employees and already looking for more space, but prospects for a second Firmenich, Inc. plant here are fading, Economic Development Commissioners were told Tuesday.

"Beacon is really doing well. They now have in excess of 50 employees and are looking at adding a second shift. They're adding a product line, and they're looking for more space," a smiling Industrial Development Coordinator Brian Tohal told commissioners.

"Unfortunately, it doesn't look very good for Firmenich. They've cut their capital spending in half, but they're not saying one way or the other whether they're going to build a plant."

However, Tohal said there are encouraging signs from the state that the 12-county JOBZ zone, which includes New Ulm and Brown County, will become a reality.

"We've received word (that the 12-county agreement) is being favorably reviewed, and we're expecting approval with some modification in the near future," Tohal said.

He told the commissioners that a problem arose when a "few communities" included property that wasn't eligible.

"But, that is being cleared up, and we should be getting approval."

He also reported on two new programs that are growing out of the new Blandin Community Advantage Program. Creation of a housing development corporation and a study identifying manufacturing needs are being explored, Tohal said.

"(The study) is kind of a 'how-do-we-reduce- your-expenses' program."

EDA Assistant Executive Director Dave Schnobrich reported that negotiations continue on a revised easement agreement with the Lamplighter restaurant. The restaurant's owner, Brian Landreville, has obtained bids from two contractors for removing the grease vents on the side of the building. The EDA had earlier told Landreville to find another way of venting the grease because the grease ponding on the grass was unsightly.

Lori Furth, owner and operator of Cornerstone Coffee and the "Little Perk" mobile coffee stand, has decided to let her lease on the parking lot at the corner of North Broadway and Fourth North lapse because she doesn't want to pay rent for the months she won't be using it, Schnobrich said.

"She has no way of protecting her equipment (in the converted ambulance) from the cold so she won't be using it until spring. She's interested in signing another lease at that time," Schnobrich said.

"That will work out well for us," Schnobrich said, "because we can use that lot for parking and snow removal for Broadway Haus."