By Jim Magdefrau

VINTON – A longtime Belle Plaine construction business is looking to expand, and the owner met with the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, June 4, about moving that business on Benton County land along Highway 30, which is slated to expand to four lanes.

Kate Robertson of Benton Development Group (BDG) met with the board about Garling Construction’s potential options for development on Highway 30. She introduced Doug DeMeulenaere of Garling Construction. He said they have been in business for 50 years.

In the past 20 years they’ve had extraordinary growth in business and have outgrown their location in Belle Plaine. He said he’d like to be on the new corridor at Highway 30 area for better accessibility for the company’s suppliers, subcontractors, and employees. This would also give Garling more exposure, he said. He is looking for opportunities for his business to expand, and work through any potential road blocks.

While he understands protecting good farm ground, he explained that if Benton County doesn’t take advantage of this opportunity and adjust, Tama County will take advantage of it. Business is going to come to Highway 30. His business pays a lot of taxes and wants to keep paying Benton County taxes, and employ Benton County families. But he won’t let a land use thing hinder what he needs to do for his business.

DeMeulenaere said he’d like 5 to 10 acres. He wants to know his options.

Board Chairman Rick Primmer said taxes are what runs Benton County and appreciated DeMeulenaere wanting to stay in Benton County. Primmer said there would be no contention from him.

Supervisor Tracy Seeman said he’d have a problem with starting a business from scratch on farm ground along Highway 30. He preferred to see something done on an existing acreage. He also doesn’t want to see a gas station or convenience store on Highway 30.

Primmer said he’d like to see a gas station/convenience store because of the revenue it could generate. “I’m all for business, and that’s been public knowledge for a long time,” Primmer said. While agriculture is a business, Primmer said, “Sometimes there’s bigger businesses.”

Primmer observed. If they think about it for a few more years, they will miss this opportunity, Primmer stressed. Primmer pointed out this is a business that wants to stay in Benton County. The county needs to give Garling a solution.

Supervisors Gary Bierschenk didn’t want to give the business “carte blanche” to find a spot.

DeMeulenaere said he appreciated the board listening to him. Primmer thanked DeMeulenaere for wanting to keep and grow his business in Benton County.

Recycling ordinance

Readings were set for June 18 and June 25 at 9:15 a.m. for readings of an ordinance, which would repeal the current recycling ban ordinance, and puts the landfill commission in charge of recycling. There was debate on the need for waiving the third reading. The third reading is set for July 2.