PEKIN (25News Now) – Pekin’s mayor described it as “fantastic” while the city manager said it was a “big deal.”
The two leaders were referring to plans by Singapore-based medical equipment maker Epic Medical to make Pekin the site of its first U.S. production facility.
The Pekin City Council Monday night voted unanimously to sell to Epic about 67 acres of city-owned property at the Riverway Business Park for $500,000.
The company intends to build a factory in two or three phases and hire 100 or more people to make IV parts like intravenous tubes, stands and bags.
No city tax breaks are involved, but Pekin staffers recently found out the company will receive state government incentives.
Among Pekin’s selling points was the speed in which a deal could be made, its business-friendly culture, and the quality and dependability of its water supply, said the city’s economic development director Josh Wray.
“One of the reasons that they chose our region was because of the reliable and high-quality water coming from the aquifer and ultimately through American Water’s treatment process,” Wray said. “They did a national search and looked at other states, and they were having issues with that factor. That’s one of the reasons they settled on us.”
Once completed, Epic’s plant is projected to add #300,000 a year in property tax revenue for the city, according to Pekin staff.
Meantime, company executives are expected to visit the city on Friday, March 28 for a press event celebrating Epic’s decision to do business in Pekin.
Third Pekin cannabis dispensary wins council approval
Also Monday night, the council unanimously approved its third and final special use permit for recreational cannabis sales.
The council is allowing a marijuana dispensary to be located at Sunset Hills Plaza in the 2900 block of Court Street.
Dispensary co-owner Vick Mehta told the city’s zoning board of appeals that his company, VHEA, LLC, plans on buying the entire shopping center and paying for upgrades.
A company wants to open a cannabis dispensary at Sunset Hills Plaza in Pekin.(Howard Packowitz | City of Pekin and VHEA, LLC)
The council’s action follows its approval in early March to allow a cannabis dispensary to operate in the former Pekin Performing Arts Center downtown.
Currently, Pekin has one marijuana shop that’s open for business. nuEra Pekin Dispensary is located at 3249 Court Street.
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