Bonne Terre fills space in Industrial Park

BONNE TERRE — After four years of waiting, there’s finally some good news concerning a vacant building in the Bonne Terre Industrial Park.

The news isn’t about the ammunition plant that was to come here. Instead, it’s a company that had been in Park Hills and was looking to relocate outside this area.

Trelleborg Sealing Solutions makes seals and gaskets. Chauncy Buchheit, executive director of the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission said the company had been operating in Park Hills as Henson Bidco.

“They ran out of space and were looking at leaving the area,” he said.

He said they were able to help them stay in the region.

Buchheit isn’t sure how many jobs Trelleborg will bring but he is hoping it will eventually be in the 35 to 40 range.

“Until they get settled, we can’t really say,” he said.

He sees this business’ move into the Industrial Park as a very positive step.

“Hopefully this will be something that will be there for awhile and help the community grow,” he said.

Buchheit gave up on the ammunition plant last year.

“The other (company) just never did make it (to the Industrial Park),” Buchheit said.

In late 2007, the St. Francois County Industrial Development Authority and the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning Commission purchased the building in the Bonne Terre Industrial Park and leased it to the ammunition supplier.

Those two groups received a $500,000 Industrial Infrastructure Grant under the Community Development Block Grant program. The grant was needed for the acquisition, renovation, and expansion of the existing building. The city’s TIF plan was amended to include the project.

Buchheit said the ammunition company made payments until December of 2010. The problem was the company couldn’t get a company they were acquiring out of bankruptcy and legal issues.

Teresa Ressel is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010, ext. 179 or at tressel@dailyjournalonline.com.