The attached resolution authorizes the City Manager to apply for the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act Economic Adjustment Assistance program, a grant application seeking development improvements to the Greater Cape Girardeau Business Park. The resolution states the City's willingness to commit to the project's development, implementation, construction, management, and local match requirement. The application deadline is March 31, 2021. The application is being drafted by City staff.

The City of Cape Girardeau purchased the property for the Greater Cape Girardeau Business Park (Business Park) in 2012, which was the former Southeast Missouri State University demonstration farm, for the purpose of attracting more private investment into the region and enhancing the local economy. Since this time, the Business Park has experienced incremental yet limited success in site recruitment. In 2016, Pepsi MidAmerica opened its professional offices and cross docking distribution center bringing approximately 70 jobs to the facility. Three years later, SI03 co-located with Idyllic Enterprises constructing a 60,000 square foot manufacturing facility where they produce protein powders for the vitamin supplement industry. Idyllic Enterprises, a business services provider offering accounting, creative services, information technology, marketing, recruiting, and shipping services also has its offices in this facility. When the two companies moved into the facility, they cited moving 15 jobs and adding 15 more jobs to the location.

The next phase in developing the Business Park focuses on extending site improvements along Business Park Place and establishing a 20-acre commercial site north of SI-03. This site will be available for development immediately upon completion.  Grading will also be completed to prepare a 3.5-acre site just north of the Pepsi Plant and other sites north of the extended Business Park Place. Proposed improvements include 1,000 linear feet extension of Business Park Place with adjacent sidewalks, curb and gutter, and street lighting. To prepare the site to be shovel ready for future private investment, sanitary sewer, water, storm sewer, stormwater detention, and a total of 189,440 cubic yards of earthwork will be performed. The work is anticipated to be completed in a single construction season.  Permitting is underway with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the US Army Corps of Engineers. Once complete, the developed Business Park property will be highly marketable to businesses and future investors. 

The City is applying for a 50/50 grant match dedicating $1,200,000 from the Casino Revenue Fund and requesting $1,200,000 in federal funds. The total project cost and proposed investment into the Greater Cape Girardeau Business Park is $2,400,000.

Investing further in the development of the Greater Cape Girardeau Business Park will attract more private investment into our region and strengthen the sites marketability to distribution, manufacturing, and research and development sector businesses yielding more economic growth for the City and region.

Staff recommends the City Council, by motion, approve the attached resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply for the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act Economic Adjustment Assistance program for the Greater Cape Girardeau Business Park development improvements.

ATTACHMENTS: Name: Description: Grant_AmericanRescuePlan_Bus_Park.doc Resolution ARPA_EAA_NOFO.pdf Notice of Funding Opportunity EDA_EAA_Application.pdf Application