Article by: Tom Nelson
The JEDC, along with CEDA team members, announced plans for an 8,700 sq/ft multi-tenant commercial building in the Jackson Crossroads commercial development park in April 2021. The five-unit development will be located at the crossroads of Interstate 90 and Highway 71. The project will be anchored by the opening of a new Cabin Coffee franchise and Subway, both featuring drive-through services. CEDA team member Tom Nelson, who serves the JEDC and the Jackson EDA, has been a part of this project from conception working to attract outside development to the community by securing anchor tenants and eventually presenting the concept to the JEDC.
JEDC President Scott Reimer says “There wasn’t a lot of investors looking to step up to do a project like this in a smaller community so we took it upon ourselves to hatch this project and contact local business owners to see if we could get something going.”
Subway was the first to join the project when they expressed a need for an updated location with a drive-through. Cabin Coffee became part of the project when local business owners Donnie and Audree Schoenrock reached out to Nelson about starting a franchise in late 2020. Nelson was able to connect the pair with Brad Barber of Cabin Coffee who has worked with multiple CEDA communities. The Jackson EDA also assisted with the project by providing the Cabin Coffee franchise with $161,000 in gap financing through their revolving loan fund.
“We really wanted to do something in our town or close to it. We love Jackson. And we got introduced to Brad Barber of Cabin Coffee through Tom Nelson who is our Economic Development coordinator.” said Donnie Schoenrock
Once the JEDC decided to pursue the project, Nelson connected the board with three different construction management companies. The JEDC eventually choose the local firm Tri-State Contracting as their construction manager and started the work of designing the building. The group is very excited about the project and the potential it has to kickstart further development in the community. The goal of the project is to attract development to the community by creating attractive spaces for businesses to located and increase interest in the development park.
Construction on the multi-tenant commercial building location will begin in early July. The JEDC anticipates an opening date for occupants in early 2021.
