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MATTOON — Rural King plans to eventually expand its distribution center along West DeWitt Avenue on to 40 acres of farmland to the north, if possible.

Brock Ashley, vice president of business development for Rural King, told the city Planning Commission on Tuesday that this Mattoon-based company is always looking for ways to grow and better serve its customers and that its proposal for the 40 acres is a "huge part of that."

The commission voted unanimously to give a favorable recommendation to Rural King's petition for the city to annex that land on the east side of Coles County Road 300E and to change it from rural suburban to general commercial zoning district status. The petition is now scheduled to go before the Mattoon City Council for final consideration at its meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in City Hall.

Commission member Ned Hoppin said he was concerned about approving the petition without seeing Rural King's definite plans for the property.

Ashley said Rural King does not have an exact configuration yet for an expansion but assured Hoppin that the new property would be used in the same manner as the current distribution center site at 4216 DeWitt Ave.

"We are hoping to continue to grown and expand our operations. Mattoon is our home. We want it to stay that way," Ashley said.

Neighboring farmland owner Steve Degler, who is a representative of drainage district 2, said he and others in the district are concerned that an expanded distribution center will add to the storm water drainage problems in this area.

Code Enforcement Officer Matt Frederick said the city has strict drainage regulations, so the engineering plans for an expansion will hopefully improve drainage by detaining and then slow releasing storm water. Degler said he intends to review these plans when the time comes.

"We intend to watch this very closely," Degler said.

In other matters, Frederick reported to the commission that Bimbo Bakeries USA tentatively plans to place gravel on a large section of the grassy field next to its plant, 3801 DeWitt Ave., to store semi-trailers without trucks there.

"They are adding (production) lines and they are adding employees. They are doing really well," Frederick said.

Bimbo Bakeries USA purchased Lender's Bagels, including its Mattoon plant, in early 2020 and later added Thomas' Bagels to production there.

"Currently, we have three production lines and approximately 200 associates," the company reported in a statement on Wednesday. " Since purchasing the bakery in 2020, we have increased headcount and made a significant investment in the facility, with continued investments in the equipment and infrastructure planned for the near future."

The planning commission members indicated their support for the gravel placement just for storage purposes. Hoppin asked Frederick to let Bimbo know that if this area ends up becoming permanent parking for employee vehicles or for company trucks, that the plant will need to put asphalt or concrete in place to comply with zoning ordinances.

1959: In an effort to better serve the growing needs of the Midwest, Southwest and Far West market for flexible metal hose and tubing the American Brass Co. built its American Metal Hose Division plant in Mattoon.

1963: A new line of paving equipment is exhibited by the Mattoon Blaw Knox plant at the Construction Equipment Exposition and Road Show, Chicago.

1988: Burtschi is the first store in Illinois south of Springfield to offer Hummel figurines. 

1959: The Eastern Division of the CIPS is completing a move into the new building in Mattoon. The structure has 36 offices and 23,000 square feet of office space. 

1991: The CTA office is carpeted, air conditioned, well-lit and features work stations designed around employee needs. Telemarketers generated $435 billion in sales last year. For each customer who says yes, 99 say no. 

1977: Acquisition of the Douglas Nursing Center will complete another phase in Wesley Tower's total care package. 

1985: aerial view of downtown Mattoon. 

1992: A group of children wait in line to challenge the winner to a game of tether ball at the E. Rudy Street housing project. 

1992: A bicyclist pedals along East Rudy Street where a row of new duplexes were built, next to a subsidized housing project. 

1989: Pat and Rodney Williamson are ready to dine. Owner Leonard Losch looks on at Ellen Kay's. 

1950: Proof that flash photography has become a national hobby is the Mattoon plant of the General Electric Co. which manufactures flash bulbs almost exclusively. A few incandescent or regular light bulbs in larger wattages are made here also. 

1965: The school is housed in the former Humble Oil Co. building on Route 45 on the south side of Mattoon. 

Contact Rob Stroud at (217) 238-6861. Follow him on Twitter: @TheRobStroud

Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

Rob Stroud is a reporter for the JG-TC, covering the city of Mattoon, Lake Land College, Cumberland County and areas including Oakland, Casey and Martinsville.

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