The Hillsdale City Council unanimously voted to allow Paragon Metals, Inc., a spe- cialty automotive components manufacturer, to expand into to Hillsdale, Mich. at its meeting Sept. 4.
“We’re very pleased they’ll be locating here,” said City Manager Linda Brown. The Hillsdale plant will be Paragon’s second location in southern Michigan, the other being in Quincy. Paragon hopes to invest roughly $20 million into the Hillsdale area as well as hiring around 150 employees in the next 3-5 years. Initially, the company will invest $6 mil- lion and hire 40 employees.
“Paragon is very excited about what we can bring to the community,” said Paragon’s Vice President of Sales Tom Nichols.
Nichols also said to expect a ribbon-cutting ceremony soon for the new location, which will be housed in the 134,000 square-foot Alson’s building.
The council also discussed leasing bids received for a parcel of Hillsdale Airport land. Local resident Brian Fix had the only bid, which was unanimously approved by the council. The land would be leased at $166 per acre per year, for a total of $59,710.20.
The final economic devel- opment issue discussed by the council at this meeting was an 11-year tax exemption for GAMPCO, Inc., a local busi- ness. Although councilperson
Mary Wolfram had to renegoti- ate the terms of the exemption, the council approved it, 6-0.
Other items discussed at the meeting included:
-A proposal for Dollar-Ride, a local bus service, to take resi- dents of the high-rise apartment complex on 32 W. Carlton Rd. to Wal-Mart — an issue that will be addressed further in the near future, according to mayor pro tem Brian Watkins. -A mural painting for charityat Fields of Dreams, a park on Hillsdale Street popular for sports competitions. It will take place this Friday and Saturday, and spots on the mural are still open.
-Boat races this weekend at Lake Baw Beese, Friday, Satur- day, and Sunday.
