River Bend Times

The Muscatine (Iowa) City Council granted two applications for TIF funding requests to local businesses during a Feb. 9 meeting. 

The funding will go to Musco Lighting and Kent Pet Group.

The city developed and adopted a new TIF policy in December, which outlines what businesses can request TIF funding, what projects are eligible for funding, how much each business can receive, and how exactly the money can be used. 

The TIF funds can be granted for residential, commercial or industrial projects. Recipients must show how they will improve quality of life or economic growth in the area, and how they align with city goals or bolster the community. The amount of money a business can request is determined by its incremental property value and the year’s TIF rate.

The council approved Musco Lighting's request for TIF funding to help its facility expansion at the Muscastine location. The city council had already given support to this project by rezoning the parcel for expansion to fit the proposed plan. The TIF monies will be used for a 22,000-square foot pole fabrication building and then a 90,000-square foot aluminum fabrication building afterward. 

Musco expects to add about 50 full-time jobs over the next three-to-five years. 

The company has been in Muscatine for nearly 50 years. 

"I think we appreciate that Musco chooses to stay in town, grow in town and bring quality jobs," council member Peggy Gordon said at the meeting. "Your team does so much in our community, all the Musco people." 

TIF funding also went to Kent Pet Group. Kent is looking to move its World’s Best Cat Litter facility to a new location as the company has outgrown its current site. The new facility will still be in Muscatine, at 4315 W. 55th Ave. 

A representative from Kent Pet noted that the company's cat litter is natural and sustainable as it is made out of corn byproducts. 

The company says it believes in supporting families and their pets, while protecting the environment. This product was launched 25 years ago and ranks among the top-selling natural and sustainable litters on the market. 

Kent's expansion project will retain the 42 full-time jobs from the current facility and add close to 30 new full-time jobs.