$4 to $8 million needed for new city industrial park

By Reed Anfinson
Publisher

When the City of Benson bought 127 acres of land adjacent to its southern border for future economic development, it knew there were drainage issues that would have to be addressed.

It also knew the land would have to be served by sanitary sewer service and municipal water. It would need streets installed. Access to the property from Minnesota Highway 29 on its western border would be needed.

At Monday noon’s Benson Economic Development Authority (EDA) meeting, the council was given an overview of the work involved and the potential costs for developing the site for business expansion.

WSB, an engineering firm the city retained to study the site, has estimated the basic costs of making it ready for development at just over $8 million. The work would involve making just under 90 acres of the property buildable. Other land would be devoted to wetlands and drainage ponds.

It includes a 15% contingency expense for unexpected costs and inflation. There is also a 25% indirect cost for engineering, legal work, and administration of the project.

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