The Hastings City Council moved forward on two major development projects during its October meeting. These include a housing development and a meat processing plant expansion.
For the housing project, Lagunas Home Construction proposed rezoning 25.99 acres of agricultural land to build single-family homes. The council will finalize the decision at a later meeting due to corrections in the property description. They did approve tax-increment financing (TIF) assistance for the project, which could leverage up to $23 million in private financing for 54 homes by 2030. Phase one construction is expected to start in 2025.
The Hastings City Council approved a conditional use permit for the expansion of the WR Reserve beef plant, operated by Noah’s Ark Processors LLC. The $44.5 million project will double the plant’s daily processing capacity from 520 to 1,100 cattle and add about 40 new jobs to its current workforce of 350. The expansion will increase the facility’s size from 82,000 to 93,000 square feet, with upgrades to the kill floor and wastewater treatment system.
The council also approved $500,000 in tax-increment financing (TIF) to help relocate city water and sewer mains for the project. The TIF funds will contribute to leveraging additional financing from state and federal sources, including $24 million in private funding and $10 million from the USDA’s Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program.
Noah’s Ark Processors has 180 days to apply for the necessary local permits, though this deadline can be extended if needed. City officials are confident the project will proceed without delays.
Additionally, the council appointed Troy Vorderstrasse as interim fire chief and increased hiring bonuses for police officers to remain competitive amid staff shortages.
