Public hearing on industrial park TEDD is Oct. 15

The Columbia Falls City Council will hold a public hearing Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. on the creation of a Targeted Economic Development District for the Columbia Rising Industrial Park.

A TEDD takes the additional tax revenue after the district is created and businesses begin to build there to invest in further improvements in the park.

The council in September approved the 19-unit industrial park subdivision at the former Plum Creek sawmill and planer site just north of the Truck Route. When Weyerhaeuser merged with Plum Creek a few years ago, it shuttered both mills and sold the property to Columbia Rising. Columbia Rising is a limited liability corporation that includes investor Mick Ruis and the Lesar family.

Anchor tenant SmartLam has moved into the former planer building, but the remainder of the 36.58 acres site, which is mostly an asphalt pad or gravel that was used to store lumber, can now be developed.

The site has city services and rail access, making it an attractive location for prospective businesses.

Upgrades to city sewer and water are needed to the site, which the TEDD could help pay for.

The public hearing is in council chambers at city hall.