City extends retail contract upon notice of new business joining mall site

Kristi Hileman, Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, Ind.
·2 min read

Jun. 22—A new business is making its way to Logansport.

Announced Monday during the City Council's back-to-back Finance Committee and special council meetings, Bill Cuppy, executive director of the Logansport/Cass County Chamber of Commerce and Cass-Logansport Economic Development Organization, said the name and details could not be released at this time.

However, he said, there is interest in becoming one of the retailers at The Junction, the former Logansport Mall property.

But the fallout from COVID has made finding new stores more difficult, which is why Cuppy asked the council to continue with a Buxton Retail Recruitment agreement.

Buxton is a market intelligence agency based out of Fort Worth, Texas, that provides data to help retailers make site selection decisions. According to its website, the company provides the means necessary for communities to showcase retail and restaurant potential to prospective new businesses.

Cuppy said Logansport needs the additional help to boost its economic sector. While unemployment rates are low, at 3.6%, that also means existing and any new businesses that come into the city would have difficulty filling positions.

It makes it "hard to hire," said Cuppy. "Some employers are looking to hire, but they're having trouble finding people. Retail is challenging right now."

Between attracting new companies and ensuring a workforce to support those entities, the council agreed to extend the contract with Buxton at a fee of $26,250. Funding will come from the County Economic Development Income Tax (CEDIT) monies. Park Development LLC, owners of the mall site, will cover the remainder of the $35,000 cost.

One particular area Cuppy is hoping to receive help with is getting a national day care chain to open locally. "We need a national day care," he said, citing Tyson Foods as an industry that is in dire need of centers where children can go while parents are at work.

Employees of Tyson, alone, he said, have between 400 and 500 kids who could be placed in day care. Currently, the local market does not have the proper support system in place.

In other business:

The council also voted in favor of extending tax abatements for the following companies that are in compliance with their statements of benefits: Myers Spring Company, Inc.; Materials Processing, Inc.; A Raymond; Logansport Machine Company; Central Paving, Inc.; LSI Metal Fabrication, Inc.; Matthew-Warren, Inc.; and, Tyson Foods, Inc.

Reach Kristi Hileman at kristi.hileman@pharostribune.com or 574-732-5150