Dollar General to build site in Marathon City

By Kevin O’Brien

Marathon City is inviting another retail chain store into its business community, with the possibility of grocery items being sold in a village that long sought a grocery store.

After meeting in closed session at its April 2 meeting, the village board approved a developer’s agreement with Dollar General to build either one of its standard retail stores or a DG Market, which would include a grocery section, on Maratech Avenue. The nowvacant lot is located on the south side of the road about a half-block east from Blue Stone Lane.

Village admininistrator Steve Cherek said in an email after last Wednesday’s meeting that it will ultimately be up to the developer, The Overland Group, LLC, to get permission from the Dollar General Corporation on whether to build either a standard Dollar General or a DG Market.

“While both fall under the same corporate umbrella, the decision on what type of store will be built depends on multiple factors— primarily the existing supply chain distribution system in our region and the broader strategic plans of the corporation,” Cherek wrote.

“To clarify, a DG Market offers a broader selection of fresh produce and grocery-type products than a traditional Dollar General, but it is not considered a full-service grocery store,” he added. “Currently, Dollar General stores are more prevalent in this region, which makes them the more likely candidate based on supply chain logistics.”

Dollar General will be the second retail chain to build a store in Marathon in the last couple years, following the construction of a new Kwik Trip gas station and convenience store last year on the north side of STH 29 near the western entrance of the village’s new industrial park. Cherek said DG’s deci-

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sion to locate in the village is good news, whether grocery items are sold or not.

“Regardless of the outcome, this interest is a positive sign for Marathon City,” Cherek wrote. “It shows that national corporations see value in investing here, which ultimately gives our residents more options for convenient shopping and contributes to local growth.”

Under the terms of the developer’s agreement, the village will sell DG the 1.3-acre lot for $1, and in exchange, the developer will construct a retail store worth just over $1 million by the end of 2026. Starting in 2027, the company will pay the village a minimum of $18,279 annually in “guaranteed tax increment revenue,” based on the valuation of the property.

Because the lot is located in a tax-incremental district (TID 1), any property taxes collected on the new building will go toward development incentives – in this case, the virtually free cost of the land – rather than being distributed to the school district, Marathon County and Northcentral Technical College. A similar arrangement was made with Menzner Hardwoods, which plans on building a new facility in the northern industrial park.

The closing date of the land purchase is slated for Oct. 1 of this year, according to the developer’s agreement. Prior to the closing date, the developer is allowed to enter the site for any inspections and environmental assessments needed before construction.

The developer will be required to follow the restrictive covenants included for all new developments in the village’s business park, which include certain design standards and other provisions related to the site.

If construction of the store has not started by Dec. 31, 2026, or if construction activities cease for more than 180 consecutive days, the village may buy back the property for $1 plus the fair-market costs of any improvements. The agreement, which was reviewed by village attorney Shane VanderWaal, also includes multiple provisions in the event of default by either the village or the developer.

Capital Improvement Plan

Before convening into closed session last Wednesday, board members were presented with a 93-page draft of a two-year capital improvement plan developed by Cherek and other village officials outlining all of the village’s possible street projects and equipment purchases for 2025 to 2027. The plan is categorized into levels of priority based on available funding.

Cherek asked trustees to rate each of the proposals and report back to him by April 23. The board plans to discuss the CIP at a special meeting on April 15 and again at its regular meeting on May 7, which will also include a discussion with a financial consultant at Ehlers & Associates about the village’s financial options.

The ultimate goal is to adopt the CIP at the board’s June 4 meeting.

Some of the highest priority projects include the replacement of a municipal well, at an estimated cost of nearly $3 million, expansion of the north business park for over $900,000 and a reconstruction of Market Street, from 4th to 8th, for about $350,000. Proposed equipment purchases include replacing the village’s 1996 International plow/ dump truck ($265,000) and the 1999 streetsweeper ($368,000).

Other business

■ Police chief Tyler Geske told the board that his department has handled 79 cases so far this year, which is up from 63 cases at the same time last year. He said there has been one traffic incident at the new Kwik Trip store involving a semi backing into a gas pump, but even though there has been a significant increase in traffic in that area, no vehicle collisions have occurred.

In response to concerns from trustee Connie Ruplinger about semis pulling out of the parking lot into traffic, Geske said local officers will do more patrols of that area to make sure traffic laws are being followed.

Geske also told the board that his department is participating in a seatbelt enforcement grant, which will pay for overtime and mileage so officers can do more traffic patrols.

■ The board approved a revised mutual aid agreement with the Edgar Fire Department, which cleaned up the language in a way that will help the departments’insurance ratings without changing current operations.

16 YEARS OF SERVICE- Retiring village trustee Connie Ruplinger was honored for her 16 years of service on the Marathon City Board of Trustees during her final meeting on April 2. Village administrator Steve Cherak presented her with a plaque, which states “Marathon City and its future are in a better place as a result of your dedication.” Ruplinger decided not to run for re-election on April 1. SUBMITTED PHOTO