County approves five‑year tax incentive for rail‑car cleaning facility, EDC cites $5M local investment

During a public hearing the commission considered a five‑year, step‑down property‑tax incentive for a rail‑car cleaning facility proposed by Twin State Environmental LLC (to operate on leased land from Total Trans Care/Northern Plains Railroad Service). County staff said the request followed long‑standing county policy for primary‑sector projects and that required public notices had run in the local paper.

EDC and company representatives described the project — automated, robotic tank‑cleaning systems for rail cars — and said the company plans roughly $5 million of private investment to bring utilities and infrastructure to the Northern Plains Rail site. Staff noted the project met county policy and that the city had approved a complementary PACE program.

Commissioners moved and approved the five‑year declining property‑tax exemption (100%, 80%, 60%, 40%, 20%). The final roll call was recorded 3‑1 in favor.

Staff said the tax incentive is intended to spur primary‑sector investment and noted local infrastructure improvements to the site could benefit other industrial development in the area.