The City of Trenton on March 27 announced its intent to trade land with Consumers Oil and Supply to allow for the development of a feed mill and potential future expansion of the company.
The company’s board of directors agreed to the trade, which involves the city exchanging property located on the northern city limits for the former drive-in movie tract of land that Consumers Oil recently purchased. The Trenton Planning and Zoning Commission and city council recently denied a rezoning request from Consumers Oil for the land at 3913 Oklahoma Avenue.
Trenton City Administrator and Utility Director Ron Urton called the trade “a good deal” for all involved. He reported that Consumers Oil will receive about 22 acres, while the city will gain approximately 11 or 12 acres. He explained that the company will be responsible for installing and funding an on-site septic system. The city hopes to eventually extend sewer service to that area to support other developments. Water and electricity infrastructure is already in place.
Urton stated that access to the highway is better at the northern city limits property, and having the company located there will help reduce truck traffic within city limits.
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Regarding the former drive-in movie property, Urton noted it is closer to town and already has water and sewer service on-site or nearby. He said the city has ideas to develop the site in a way that complements the surrounding residential area.
This type of project is what the proposed half-percent economic development sales tax would support. The sales tax proposal will appear on the April 8 ballot.
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Trenton Mayor Jackie Soptic called the land trade between the City of Trenton and Consumers Oil “a great deal” and a “win-win” for everyone involved.
She added that the agreement should not affect the economic development sales tax proposal, other than encouraging residents to vote in favor of it. Soptic explained that the sales tax would provide the city with the funds needed to pursue further economic development.
She also emphasized that the deal with Consumers Oil did not cost the city any money, as it was a direct land trade.
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Soptic credited City Clerk Cindy Simpson with originating the idea for the land trade.
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North Central Missouri Development Alliance Executive Director Megan Pester said the alliance is “very excited” about the agreement between the City of Trenton and Consumers Oil. She stated that the development and expansion of Consumers Oil will help retain local jobs and create new ones in the future, aligning with the mission of the North Central Missouri Development Alliance.
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Urton added that relocating the North Central Missouri Fairgrounds across the road from the future Consumers Oil site is an idea the city would like to pursue. The proposed fairgrounds site would be approximately 25 acres.
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City officials have identified the fairgrounds project as a priority initiative for funding through the proposed economic development sales tax.
