Highland City Council to provide financial assistance to Trouw Nutrition

A Highland feed company will get city assistance for its new warehouse after a vote from the city council Friday.

Trouw Nutrition applied to Highland for reimbursement on its costs for a new warehouse in Highland. Trouw is an ingredient and premix supplier serving the pet food industry that has been based in Highland for many years, according to city manager Mark Latham, and has been expanding of late.

Latham said Trouw plans to redevelop a vacant recycling plant at 329 Madison St. into a warehouse. Trouw has been warehousing its facility in St. Louis, and this will replace that facility, Latham said.

“The building has been vacant for almost a year,” Latham said.

Since the warehouse is located in a tax increment financing district, Trouw requested assistance with the cost of renovation. Latham said the council approved a reimbursement plan similar to others they have granted in the TIF district.

After the renovation, the warehouse’s property value will go up, and Trouw will get a refund equal to the amount of increased property taxes up to 10 years, estimated at $8,953 a year, or up to $91,000.

The total renovation cost is estimated at $457,060. With the land purchase cost of $380,000, Trouw estimates a total investment of $837,060 in the Highland warehouse.

The city is also reimbursing Trouw for the cost of the various building and occupancy permits, estimated at approximately $4,183.

Latham said Trouw operates in at least seven countries and its application reports gross sales of $159 million per year. Latham did not have specific numbers for how many jobs the project would bring to Highland, but it is anticipated to employ a certain number of workers at the warehouse, according to the ordinance approved by the council on Friday morning.

The council’s vote in favor of the deal was unanimous.

This story was originally published January 10, 2020 at 4:52 PM.