Heartland Board Approves Payment to Forest Pro Inc.

CHARLOTTE COUNTY – On November 2, 2015 Forest Pro Inc. purchased 16.84 acres of land on the north side of the Heartland Industrial Park for approximately $180,000. At that time it was believed the property met all DEQ requirements.

Subsequent to the sale Forest Pro Inc. found it would be required to provide Phosphorus Mitigation. One option was to build and maintain a filter pond which would require maintenance and inspection. Another option was to purchase Phosphorus credits at a cost of $83,340, which Forest Pro Inc. believes to be the best option.

Forest Pro Inc. then approached the Heartland board and requested the board share the cost of the additional expense.

The Heartland Board met Thursday January 26, 2017 to discuss the issue. One member requested more time to study the options.  Chairman Walker stated Forest Pro Inc. has been waiting a year to begin construction, has investigated the options and believes purchasing the credits is the best option.

It was also stated that had the requirement been in place at the time of the sale the board would have reduced the price to compensate for the additional expense.

The board approved paying Forest Pro the sum of $40,000 upon completion of the project.  The payment is contingent on Forest Pro meeting certain conditions including completing construction of its improvements on the Property no later than December 31, 2017 and obtaining a certificate of Occupancy.