HANNIBAL, Missouri – General Mills’ expansion project received a boost Tuesday.

The Hannibal City Council approved a 10-year 50 percent income and property tax abatement for the project.

Maria Kuhns, executive director of the Hannibal Regional Economic Development Council, first heard about the possibility of expanding the General Mills plant in April.

“Since then, I have been working with both the city and the company’s consultant to put together and submit an incentive package to increase the feasibility of the project in Hannibal,” Kuhns said.

The proposal also includes an exemption from local sales tax on materials purchased for the project, which could include a 15,000-foot expansion of the plant.

The city intends to issue bonds for the project on behalf of General Mills. But before the bonds are offered, Kuhns said, the next steps will be to work with the city attorney and the special bond council to develop a cost-benefit analysis and industrial development plan. The project will then be presented again to the city council, likely in October, for consideration of an ordinance approving the bond documents.

“I am excited about the opportunity to partner with General Mills on this project,” Kuhns said. “They employ over a thousand people in our community in high-quality jobs and are involved with many local charities. This project gives the city an opportunity to help secure the future of General Mills in Hannibal and could mean new jobs and additional property tax revenue for our taxing authorities.”

Other Council matters:

• Discussion of amending the city’s ordinance banning fireworks was adjourned. Councilman Robert Koehn brought the issue before the committee, pointing out that fireworks are legal in all Marion County counties except Hannibal. Under the amendment, Hannibal residents would be allowed to set off fireworks on July 3, 4 and 5 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Approved Resolution No. 2512-24 authorizing Mayor Barry Louderman to enter into an engineering services contract for $8,900 between the City of Hannibal and Klingner & Associates for the replacement of the City Hall roof.
• A public hearing to determine the city’s property tax rate is scheduled for August 20 at 6:45 p.m.
• Approved a traffic study to determine whether to change the traffic lights at the intersections of Fourth and Fifth Streets at Broadway. The study will determine whether or not a change to flashing yellow lights at those intersections is necessary.