Marshalltown may soon be home to a second Menards facility.

Representatives of both Menards and local economic officials said at Monday’s Marshalltown City Council meeting that they hope construction can begin this spring on a new manufacturing and distribution facility near the Fisher plant at the intersection of Olive Street and 18th Avenue.

A public hearing has been set for Jan. 26 on a development agreement with Menards, including economic development payments in an amount not to exceed $1,325,000.

“As long as we can get all the various pieces to fall in to place, we’ll begin in the spring,” said Tom Deimerly, president of the Marshalltown Economic Development Impact Committee (MEDIC).

Deimerly and Menards Real Estate Representative Scott Nuttelman said that the Eau Claire, Wis.-based company chose Marshalltown in part due to the city’s central Iowa location with access to both rail and major roadways for distribution of goods throughout the region. The facility will initially require 25 acres of the 50-acre lot under consideration, and Nuttelman sees potential for expansion in the next few years.

“I don’t think we’ve built one of these yet where it has not expanded,” said Nuttelman. “Once we have a facility in a city we want to make more investments.

The new facility will primarily manufacture and distribute lumber products, including wooden trusses, under the name Midwest Manufacturing, a division of Menards. Nuttelman said a little-known fact about his company is that they manufacture many of the items customers find in their stores throughout the upper Midwest. It is estimated that the facility will create 40-45 jobs in addition to construction opportunities.

“This is a great projet for Marshalltown and the entire region,” said David Barajas Jr., CEO of the Marshalltown Regional Partnership, comprising the Marshalltown Chamber of Commerce, Marshalltown Works and the Marshalltown Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Those new ribbon cuttings are great stuff, but as any good business person can tell you, it’s all about keeping your current customers happy.”

Barajas went on to say that roughly 80 percent of new jobs come from businesses already established within a community.

Menards and the city are currently in discussions with Union Pacific regarding implementation of a new rail spur off the line to accommodate the new facility. Menards will be responsible for maintenance on the new additions.

A major attraction for the city is that Menards, in Nuttleman’s words,”never asks anyone else to back these projects.”

All three men said that this process has been in the works for around 18 months and landowners in the area have been great to work with, especially after questions regarding the nearby soccer fields have been answered.

“The soccer fields in that area will remain intact and will actually be improved,” said Deimerly, adding Menards wanted to keep that recreational opportunities there after they learned how important it was to area residents.

Deimerly and Barajas both feel that this is another positive development for the city of Marshalltown after a successful 2014.

“Businesses want to be seen as moving forward in progressive communities,” said Barajas. “We want to create an atmosphere conducive to positive momentum. Kudos to everyone who has worked on this project.”

—

Contact Brett Van Waus at 641-753-6611 or bvanwaus@timesrepublican.com