Late last year, several actions were taken at city council regarding the so-called spec building in Clarion. The building is located in the Industrial Park at 225 Nelson Ave, on the east side of town. At that time, it looked like the sale of the building was imminent. However, that original sale never came to be. Now, months later, it looks like a local company is on their way to fully acquiring the building. Prairie Energy Cooperative announced last week that they have changes on the horizon and taking over the spec building is a big part of that.
According to the announcement that Prairie Energy issued last week, the speculative building was built in 2005 when they, along with Corn Belt Power Cooperative, “purchased land to promote economic development and entice businesses into the area.” The city of Clarion also had a stake in the building. Over the years, though businesses have occupied other lots in that industrial area, the building itself wasn’t really used. Late last year, a potential buyer was discussed. By last December, it looked like Daybreak Foods’ acquisition of the building and the surrounding land was forthcoming. They planned to use the area as an egg-cracking facility. In the weeks that followed, a final agreement could not be reached, and Daybreak Foods eventually moved their plans to Eagle Grove.
Now, in the last few months, Clarion city officials have noted that a new company has been interested in using the building and surrounding lots. Finally, last week, Prairie Energy issued their official announcement that they will be taking full ownership of the spec building and remaining property at the park.
The announcement noted that Prairie Energy plans to consolidate their two Clarion locations into one space at the industrial park. Currently, they operate locally out of the warehouse location a few miles west of town with their administrative staff at an office building right on the edge of town. That will soon all be located at the industrial park. The company noted, “We find ourselves needing more space in order to house our employees and to continue providing the excellent service our members have grown accustomed to.”
The eventual goal is to move everything to the industrial park location, though Prairie Energy noted it will take some preliminary work to the site first. “Customization of the existing building with an addition of a new warehouse and pole yard will create a safe, efficient work environment.”
Prairie Energy CEO Tim Marienau is looking forward to the change and says it is a necessary move. He emphasized, “The needs of the cooperative have changed. We have outgrown our facilities and our employees’ health and safety are the most important to us. As an employer, Prairie Energy needs to provide facilities that promote safe and healthy environments as well as physical workspaces that can have a significant impact on the well-being, mental health, and productivity of our employees.” The company added that operating out of just one location will also save costs.
Clarion city officials are also excited to have Prairie Energy make the move to town. “The relationship that the City of Clarion has had with Prairie Energy has always been strong,” said Clarion City Administrator Clint Middleton. “That relationship will only be enhanced with their entire team located within city limits. This will be a great addition to the industrial park and the spec building could not go to a more deserving company.”
Mayor Duane Asbe said, “The spec building has been available for a number of years and it is great that it is now being occupied by a local business that can make use of that area. We appreciate Prairie Energy being part of the Clarion community and having them located in town will only magnify that good relationship.”
Marienau added that there is not an exact timeline for beginning work at the site or making the move to the industrial park at this point, since “materials and the construction labor force is impacted by COVID.” He also added that the Garner Service Center built in 2018 will continue to serve members in their northern counties at that location.
Prairie Energy invited members and locals to stay tuned for further details relating to building designs, costs and timelines.
