Protests Disrupt Maple Grove Meeting After Weapons Manufacturer Vote
Maple Grove City Council members, acting as the Economic Development Authority, met Monday night to vote on whether to provide financial assistance to BAE Systems, a company that specializes in weapons manufacturing.
Dozens of activists packed the council chambers to voice their concerns.
“We continue to allow these weapons systems to decimate people,” said Ed Higgins, a resident of Columbia Heights, at Monday’s meeting. “And by the way, these weapons systems, they’re going to eventually be used against you. Against all of you. We are going into a phase two of World War III right now.”
BAE Systems wants to build a 248,000-square-foot manufacturing warehouse in the gravel mining area near Highway 169 and Interstate 94. The company is seeking a $600,000 aid package in the form of tax increment financing (TIF) to make soil corrections that officials say is needed for development to occur.
“But for the availability of this TIF, this site would not necessarily be as attractive to a developer to do a project like this,” said Shanna Strowbridge, associate general counsel with the Opus Group (a commercial real estate developer).
The Maple Grove EDA unanimously voted to approve the financing. After the vote took place, a protest immediately followed with chants of “shame on you.” The protest forced the board to call a recess and ultimately end the meeting.
Rendering of proposed “Project Libre” building, which was revealed to be BAE Systems.
Related: BAE Systems Revealed as Maple Grove ‘Project Libre’ Tenant
