The sustainable business park project for Dorr Township will be featured in a special Planning Commission meeting Tuesday evening at the new Township Hall.
The sustainable business park to handle solid waste was planned for the northeast corner of Dorr Township, but was paused in September 2023 because the anchor tenant, Continuous Materials, was unable to secure funding needed for startup.
However, Dorr Township Planning Commission Chairman Dan Beute recently said, “It sounds like it (the project) is back on track.” If so, the new transfer station will be replaced by the business park, which includes using recycled materials, a substantially smaller waste diversion rate will result.
Continuous Materials had plans to manufacture siding, roofing and ceiling parts from discarded plastic glass and other so-called recycling items that still otherwise wind up in landfills. The 250-acre site in Dorr Township is owned by Kent County and it has been set aside for use as soon as the current Kent County landfill is full.
But Continuous Materials has filed for bankruptcy.
Dorr Township Supervisor Jeff Miling said more than two years ago that about $100 million was needed for startup, and though some funding sources came through, much more was needed. The Dorr Township Board in 2022 agreed to set aside $200,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant money for its contribution.
Miling cautioned Township Board members that, “If it (the project) is paused for too long, it goes into a landfill.”
In other business Thursday night, the Dor rTownship Board:
- Heard a presentation from the Commission on Aging, which is asking the Allegan County Board of Commissioners to rescind its action of limiting Meals on Wheels for senior citizens to only frozen food. They insisted the hot meals insure that seniors get welfare checks. Allegan County Administrator Rob Sarro explained the County Board’s action.
- Listened to a presentation from Legal Assistance program representatives who ask for renewal of financial commitment to provide attorneys to clients who cannot afford them.
- Approved Fire Chief Gary Fordham’s recommendations for reappointments of officials for the Dorr Township Fire Department.
- Was told that the Parks Committee is seeking volunteers to help with preparations for the Fourth of July celebration, which this year is expected to be special because the United States is marking its 250th anniversary.
- Learned from Fordham that the local fire department continues get even busier because of medical calls, which have totaled 113 thus far this year, compared to 76 for the same period in 2025.
- Took no action on a proposal to add a 2 percent administrative fee for permits approved by Professional Code Inspections. Miling explained, “We do all the paperwork and yet they don’t pay taxes here.”The same was done for an added fee for late taxes.
- Noted that at least two candidates for the open trustee’s seat were in the audience, Gordon Lieffers and James Schaedorf. Deadline for filling the seat vacated by Chandler Stanton is April 21.
