New $4M Brown NationaLease Facility in Cedar Rapids to Create 10 Jobs
CEDAR RAPIDS — Developers in Cedar Rapids have been awarded city financial incentives to construct a new $4 million Brown NationaLease facility in southwest Cedar Rapids, which is expected to create 10 jobs. This development has attracted the attention of Brown NationaLease, a company that is currently located in North Liberty but is seeking a larger, permanent location due to its growth.
TH Development LLC, owned by Dennis Thompson and Hunter Parks, plans to build an 11,000 square-foot building on 76th Avenue SW for Brown NationaLease. The company, which offers truck and trailer rental and leasing, contract maintenance, and logistics services, is in need of a larger space to accommodate its expanding operations.
The Cedar Rapids City Council has approved preliminary terms of the deal, granting financial incentives to the developers. The incentives include a 10-year, 50 percent reimbursement of increased taxes. It is estimated that the project will generate a total of $1.4 million in taxes, with $523,000 being rebated.
As part of the agreement, the city of North Liberty also had to consent to the project under state law, since Brown NationaLease currently operates in North Liberty. To facilitate this, North Liberty and Cedar Rapids established a joint agreement in July.
The 10 new jobs created by the facility will pay at or above the state’s high-quality wage rate of $26.20 per hour. The new building will feature full drive-thru shop bays, an automated wash bay, and office space.
The decision to attract Brown NationaLease aligns with Cedar Rapids’ Economic Development Strategic Plan, which identifies transportation and logistics as a target industry for the city’s growth. The city recently invested $50,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to update its strategic plan in partnership with Angelou Economics, based in Austin, Texas.
A development agreement between the developers and the city is expected to be presented to the council in September or October. Construction is scheduled to commence in the fall and conclude in spring 2024.
During the council meeting, Council member Scott Olson expressed the need for the developer to enhance the aesthetics of the property along 76th Avenue SW to create a more appealing environment for passing motorists. He suggested adding landscaping and other elements to improve the overall appearance.
Council member Scott Overland emphasized that the creation of more high-quality jobs is a positive outcome for the community. He commended the collaborative effort involved in getting such projects underway and built.
At the time of publication, Brown NationaLease officials had not responded to requests for comment from The Gazette.
In conclusion, the construction of the new Brown NationaLease facility in Cedar Rapids is set to create 10 high-quality jobs, boosting economic growth in the area. The project has received financial incentives from the city and has gained approval from the city of North Liberty. With construction expected to begin soon, Cedar Rapids is taking significant steps to attract new businesses and support existing ones in the transportation and logistics industry.
