COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – On the heels of the May 11 announcement that Schmitz Foam will locate its North American headquarters in Coldwater, the Coldwater City Council gave preliminary approval on Monday night to the sale of 9.2 acres of city-owned property on Treat Avenue to Schmitz for the construction of its new facility.
The land is being sold at a cost of $3,500 per acre, or roughly $32,200. Per City Charter rules, the offer now sits on the table for 30 days and will be up for final approval on June 27, 2016. Schmitz Foam, a Dutch-based company, plans to invest $9.1 million in its new Coldwater facility and create 39 jobs.
In other action, final approval was given to a new franchise agreement between Consumers Energy and the city, allowing Consumers to continue to provide electric service to Pilot Knob and to a new regional service center that the utility will construct on Jonesville Road, across the street from the Walmart Distribution Center. An ordinance to rezone the 69-acre parcel it will be constructed on to D-1 Light Industrial was approved on second reading.
As expected, the City Council approved the increase in cable rates proposed by the Coldwater BPU’s Telecommunications Department. Beginning July 1, 2016, Lifeline Basic service will go from $17.70 per month to $25.50, with Expanded Basic going from $61.80 per month to $67.80. Officials say increased carriage costs from cable networks and over-the-air broadcasters prompted the latest rate adjustment.
