Agrivision decision awaits

City of Lenox officials will not confirm John Deere implement dealer Agrivision has chosen Lenox over Union County for its new proposed building. Calls to Agrivision were not returned before press time today.

In late July, Agrivision representatives met with Union County Board of Supervisors and Lenox City Council to build a new service and retail building. The proposal with Union County included tax incentives for Agrivision. Union County Supervisor Dennis Brown also could not confirm Agrivision’s decision.

Randy McCunn of Agrivision explained what they need for a new building including 15 acres, access to highways and sewer service.

The building is expected to be about 100 feet by 250 feet for a service area. A similar size building will be needed for sales, offices and parts. Estimated total cost for the buildings is $8 million.

Agrivison’s Todd Barker said the facilities in Creston and Lenox are, “30 years past their prime. Everyday we work in Creston we are working on stuff outside because we can’t get it inside. To continue to attract the skill sets it takes to work on iron and technology, those don’t match the skill sets that say, ‘I don’t want to work out in 0 degrees or under the blistering hot sun.’” The service areas will have air conditioning.

Barker said work has begun on preparing combines for fall harvest and work is done outside. Agrivision’s buildings and additions in Creston range in age from 1965 to 1990.

McCunn estimated work on the proposed buildings will take about a year to build provided there are no supply-chain problems.

Lenox City Council discussed July 25 an Agrivision proposal to build north of its building at 412 Van Buren St. in Lenox. Council approved to further work with Agrivision should it decide to build in Taylor County.

“It’s not in Lenox city limits,” said Lenox City Administrator Allison Kitzman in July. Kitzman added tax incentives will be included for Agrivision.

According to minutes from that meeting, council members discussed how the city would recoup expenses for utilities despite seeing the benefits.

AgriVision Equipment Group was formed Jan. 1, 2014, with the merger of A&M Green Power Group and Barker Implement. The merger consolidated four John Deere dealerships in Southwest and South Central Iowa into one.

AgriVision Equipment is owned by the five former dealerships: Athen Implement, Barker Implement, Macedonia Implement Co., McCunn Equipment, Pender Implement and Jeremy Ostrander.

AgriVision Equipment Group has 17 locations including Clarinda, Creston, Hamburg, Ireton, Lawton, Le Mars, Lenox, Leon, Macedonia, Massena, Pacific Junction, Paullina, Red Oak and Winterset. The company’s headquarters are located in Pacific Junction.

KSIB Radio contributed to this story.