A good deal for Ogden
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t isn't often that a local school board's vote translates into a major jobs producer for a community, but that is what happened Wednesday night when the Weber School District board voted to approve a plan that allows Fresenius Medical Care to expand and create 700 new jobs in Ogden.
Here's how it works, as reported by the Standard-Examiner's Amy K. Stewart: The district's vote approves a land deal with the Ogden Redevelopment Agency that provides Fresenius with 12.6 acres to expand by 500,000 square feet. Fresenius already employs 1,300 people at a 640,000-square-foot plant at 475 W. 13th St. The addition will result in the 700 new jobs at Fresenius, which makes kidney dialysis-related products.
The 12.6 acres, which is next to Fresenius' facility, is owned by the Weber School District, which has maintenance and transportation operations there in three buildings. As a result of the deal, the district will get new land. A single facility to house the relocated transportation and maintenance facilities will be constructed on the new site.
It's a good deal for the district -- everything is paid for. "This is at absolutely no cost to Weber School District," said Drew Wilson, district administrative director of facilities.
Stewart reports the district has been looking at roughly a dozen potential sites -- from 700 North to 3300 South, and from the Ogden Industrial Park to 2700 West -- to relocate the facilities.
Fresenius, a growing German-based company and job-provider to our community, benefits by having enough room to grow its business here and staff the 700 new jobs. Also, Fresenius has a deal with the Governor's Office of Economic Development, where 30 percent of state taxes the company pays over 10 years will be refunded.
Ogden, too, benefits in more than one way. Besides the 700 new jobs coming to the community, Fresenius will pay property taxes to the city. Weber School District did not pay property taxes for the land it used.
Ogden has shown a lot of economic growth the past few years. We applaud the innovation and determination of those who are affecting this growth. The three-way deal between the Weber School District, Fresenius Medical Care and the Ogden Redevelopment Agency is an example of different entities working together to better the community.
