Midland City Council has approved an incentive package with Bass Pro Shops, as announced by Mayor Lori Blong in a Facebook post. The package includes the construction of a road that is part of Midland's long-term plan. The council's decision was made with the belief that the city is capable of making good investments.
According to Mayor Blong, the incentive package with Bass Pro Shops is projected to pay out in year five, with $12 million in net proceeds by year 10. The city will be receiving $5.5 million from Midland Development Corporation for public infrastructure improvements, which will be used to allow Bass Pro Shops to build the road that the city had already planned on constructing within the next five to ten years. By building the road now, the city is saving money on construction costs, as prices continue to rise.
Mayor Blong emphasizes that constructing the road ahead of schedule will proactively get ahead of development and save the city money in the long run. She also highlights that bringing Bass Pro Shops to Midland will lead to the expansion of the city with a new neighborhood of development, resulting in increased property taxes. Blong views the tax abatement incentives as an investment in Midland, stating that Bass Pro Shop is part of an overall plan for the city, rather than just another business entering the area.
The mayor concludes her Facebook post by asserting that the return on investment for this project will be worth it. She includes a photo of a map outlining the upcoming road construction projects for the next five and ten years, as well as the location of Bass Pro Shops in relation to these developments.