The money, announced Wednesday by Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter, comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is administered through the state's Community Development Block Grant program. In addition to the block grant money, Melaleuca is contributing $1 million.
It is intended to support the construction of a new 350,000-square-foot business campus. Melaleuca already has a built a packing plant/warehouse and laboratory in the area, west Interstate 15, near Exit 113 . The new development is expected to create 40 jobs and make 6,600 acres more suitable for small business development.
"(The) state is pleased to be a partner in this effort,” Otter said. “Infrastructure improvements often are a key factor in helping a business expand or recruiting a new company to the area.”
Otter's approval came after an Idaho Economic Advisory Council meeting in Pocatello earlier this month, at which members approved the grant and also $175,000 for waterworks in Clearwater County.
