Village Board to conduct a conceptual review for a food flavor research facility
HUNTLEY — The village board will convene on Sept. 26 to conduct a conceptual review for the construction of a 120,000-square-foot research and development building designed for a family-owned, German-based company specializing in food flavor research.
The proposed clear precast building, which would be constructed on Lot 5 of the Huntley Corporate Park-Phase 3, is intended to house offices, a research and development laboratory to assist in the production of both powdered and liquid food flavors, and product storage, for Silesia Flavors Inc. The company’s U.S. headquarters is in Hoffman Estates but is looking to expand its research and development, production, and storage operations within America. The business is recognized globally as an industry leader in confectionery, dairy, savory, and beverage flavors.
According to the Sept. 26 Village Board meeting agenda packet, a part of the production for building improvements necessitates a 75-foot tall interior spray drying tower, 30-foot tall exterior dust collection equipment, and an H3 room for the storage of hazardous materials. Access to the site is proposed solely from Jim Dhamer Drive. The Jim Dhamer frontage of the building is expected to be adorned with elongated two-story glass, providing an executive office treatment that is seen when traveling westbound on Jim Dhamer Drive.
In addition, the conceptual site plan provides open space for future expansion, accommodating up to 60,000 square feet of additional building area to the south. The 7.84-acre Lot 1 of the Huntley Corporate Park Phase 1 is also proposed to be included in the development and would be left open for potential business expansion.
The proposed plans will require the Plan Commission and Village Board to review and approve a Special Use Permit for “Product Research and Development” and “Food Processing and Handling” within the “O” Corporate Office District, as well as Final Planned Unit Development, including the necessary relief.
The estimated overall project cost is between $34-40 million. Initially, the business would employ approximately 38 people over three shifts, including two to three highly specialized team members earning up to $200,00 per year.
The board will discuss potential incentives for the project to help offset expenses related to Silesia’s expansion and moving expenses related to the proposed research and development facility.
The proposed incentives include a partial property tax abatement, which would involve the village rebating 100% of the village share of property tax revenue for the first five years from the commencement of the term. This incentive is estimated to save Silesia $10,000 a year or $50,000 for the five-year term.
Silesia is also eligible for a job creation incentive in which the village would contribute a one-time grant for positions paying over $50,000 created within 24 months of opening. This incentive is estimated to be $46,000.
Lastly, the village plans on giving Silesia a moving expense grant where Huntley would contribute to the company an initial one-time grant of $25,000 to assist with consolidation, relocation, and construction of the laboratory-grade test kitchen.
Because it is just a conceptual review, trustees are not required to provide a formal position statement for the proposal at this time.
