LED plant back on track in Bettendorf

The construction of an office building and LED light bulb manufacturing plant at the Interstate 74 Technology Park in Bettendorf appears to be back on track after delays due to trouble securing financing, Bettendorf aldermen learned Monday.

LED America first came to the council in August and had hoped to begin production by March, but the financing could not be secured, Economic Development Director Steve Van Dyke told the city council.

Developer Alan Frankel is seeking city approval of an application for $400,000 in financial aid from the state of Iowa, as well as tax-increment financing districts for a 13,000-square-foot manufacturing plant and a 4,800-square-foot office building.

The manufacturing plant could grow to between 50,000 and 100,000 square feet in later phases, and would employ 132 when fully built, Van Dyke said.

Frankel told the council Monday that commitments have been made to lease all of the available space in the office building.

The total budget for the project is $2.4 million. Van Dyke said construction could be complete by the end of the year.

Revised park plans for Forest Grove

The council also heard a presentation on a revised concept for the development of Forest Grove Park, a 100-acre parcel of land northeast of the intersection of Forest Grove Road and Middle Road.

Ideas for the park include a large greenspace, an adventure course, an amphitheatre, a community building, restoration of Spencer Creek that would allow visitors to play in the water, a winter plaza with opportunities for winter sports such as sledding and ice skating, and a handicapped-accessible baseball field, as well as several recreation trails.

Parks and Recreation Director Steve Grimes said the plan still is being tweaked. He said he will come back to the council with a budget for the park amenities and a proposed plan for building them in phases, which would take place over the course of many years.

See more here:
LED plant back on track in Bettendorf