Alderman on Monday gave the go-ahead for city funding to aid expansion projects for a pair of Galesburg businesses.
The Galesburg City Council unanimously approved city assistance for both Western Smokehouse Partners and Graham Hospital Association.
“It can’t be said enough how significant the economic impact of Western Smokehouse Partners and Graham Hospital are making on our town,” said Seventh Ward Alderman Steve Cheesman.
Western Smokehouse Partners LLC, with its headquarters at 56 S. Kellogg St. and a production facility Thrushwood Farms located at 2860 W. Main St., intends to grow its workforce at both locations.
The meat snack producer will retain the current headquarter jobs with a minimum payroll of $500,000, and will add 10 more jobs with a minimum payroll of $1 million.
Western Smokehouse Partners LLC also will add 15 to 20 production jobs to Thrushwood Farms in Galesburg with a minimum payroll of $675,000.
With competitive offers from other locations in the company, Western Smokehouse will receive an incentive of $300,000 from the city of Galesburg. In return, Western Smokehouse would agree to maintain it headquarters and the new jobs for a 10-year period.
Meanwhile, the City Council also approved $250,000 to Graham to create a second entrance to its property under development on far North Seminary Street in Galesburg. The city would then maintain, replace and repair the public roadway.
Graham Hospital Association owns the property located at 2028 N. Seminary St. and intends to develop the south parcel of the property for use as a medical facility. The city has an interest in the Graham creating a second entrance to this development —which aligns with the existing Mayo Drive — in order to establish an intersection that improves vehicular safety and accessibility, not only for the current development, but for any future uses that may further develop the property, and increase vehicular traffic.
The new facilities will house primary care and multiple specialty practices, as well as laboratory, imaging and outpatient surgery services and endoscopy services.
Senneff said the initial phase of the project currently under construction is expected to be open to patients by Aug. 5.
