Centralia approves redevelopment deal with rail manufacturer

The Centralia City Council passed a resolution at Monday night’s meeting for a redevelopment agreement with Freight Car Locomotive Experts (FCLE), providing the company with a 10-year loan with a five percent monthly interest rate to support the purchase of machinery, equipment and inventory . the company is growing. Council members agreed that supporting the growth of this industrial business was in the city’s best interest. FCLE President and CEO James Danielwicz attended the meeting and thanked the board for their support, optimistic that the company will be able to attract new employees with the help of the loan. The agreement will convert to the USDA IRP loan program when awarded to the City of Centralia.

There was a large turnout for this council meeting, as well as lengthy public comment. Dave Boswell and members of the Raccoon Lake Association spoke to council about the issue of allowing duck hunting on Raccoon Lake. Hunting has been illegal there for years due to its proximity to homes within Centralia city limits. Arguments were made by Boswell for and by the Association against changing the rule, but no action was taken or planned by the council.

Also discussed during the public comment were the city’s utility bills and electric aggregation opt-out agreement with Homefield Energy, as well as a recommendation from Mary Jones of the Centralia Tourism Commission to reallocate funds from Celebration Centralia and Summer Market to the printing and advertising part of the tourism budget.

The council approved a resolution for Gonzalez Companies, LLC to perform preliminary engineering and technical inspection services for the 2025 Motor Fuel Tax Street Maintenance Program. A resolution was also approved to purchase a 2022 Dodge Durango from the Kansas Highway Patrol for $ 34,500.