Tim Ryan, tryan@wolfrivermedia.com
Dorothy is still not surrendering her real name, but the mystery project will be on the Shawano Plan Commission’s agenda Wednesday, in a development agreement that provides a new cover name and a little more detail on the as yet undisclosed manufacturer.
Project Dorothy was the code name previously attached to an unnamed manufacturing firm’s plan to move into Shawano in the near future, bringing with it 35 to 40 manufacturing jobs at first but working its way up to a force of about 120 within five years, according to city officials.
Officials have said they cannot divulge the name of the firm because of confidentiality agreements.
City Administrator Brian Knapp said he expects the company to be revealed by the end of June.
In the meantime, the plan commission will consider a development agreement between the city and a newly created subsidiary set up by its unnamed parent firm.
The new limited liability company, known as FLEX II, was registered with the state’s Department of Financial Institutions in April. Its registered agent is G&K Wisconsin Services, LLC, of Green Bay.
The registered agent for G&K Wisconsin Services is Nicholas Wahl, a Milwaukee attorney, according to DFI records.
According to the proposed development agreement, FLEX II plans to develop “a light manufacturing, paper products related facility.”
The business would occupy 15 acres of city-owned property in an undeveloped area north of County Road B, east of Waukechon Street and west of Industrial Drive. The development agreement calls on the city to extend Engle Drive to the new facility.
FLEX II intends to construct an approximately 120,000-square-foot, $12 million manufacturing facility on the property and install approximately $24 million in related equipment, according to the development agreement.
FLEX II is acquiring the property from the city at no cost.
The company plans to begin construction next spring and occupy the facility in January 2018, with full production commencing by April 2018.
THE NEXT STEP
WHAT: Shawano Plan Commission will discuss development agreement with unnamed manufacturer.
WHEN: 4:30 p.m Wednesday
WHERE: City Hall, 127 S. Sawyer St., Shawano