April 22, 2021

This paid piece is sponsored by the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

Brian Hefty has a theory about living close to where you work.

It’s one he shares with his more than 50-person workforce at Hefty Seed Co. as part of offering basic financial literacy training.

“My philosophy for almost 30 years has been to try to live within 10 minutes of where you work,” Hefty said.

“Think about the time you spend driving and the cost. And you’re not getting paid for those hours. And if you have kids, you want to be close to wherever your school is. I want people to have family time and not just work time. It’s hard to do if you’re far away.”

But the realist in him knows that’s easier said than done for those who work at Hefty’s headquarters near Baltic.

As he looked around town, he realized the inventory of available homes was low and the supply of lots just as challenging.

“He was absolutely right,” said Mike Wendland, former Baltic mayor, city administrator and economic development director.

“We only had a couple of lots available in one development. Others were starting to go. The number of lots left to build on was diminishing.”

Was anyone buying more land, Hefty asked?

“Some had inquired, but I didn’t see anyone seriously considering it,” Wendland replied. “He said, ‘I am really busy with my company, but I don’t want to see Baltic stall out. And a little selfishly, I want my employees to live closer to work, be part of a smaller community, and that isn’t available for them today.’ ”

Hefty meant it and asked Wendland to work with him on a development.

It became an entity called Grant Park Capital – named for the Chicago park where Hefty proposed to his wife – and it’s now resulting in multiple opportunities for new housing in Baltic.

“I’m not a land developer, but as we’ve hired people here, they have been excited to live close, and there were not a lot of options,” Hefty said.

Wendland helped identify two available parcels adjacent to the city limits that could be annexed, one east of the school and the other immediately southeast of it.

Together, they can accommodate 127 residential lots of various sizes.

“And it’s a very nice setting that will leave green space open for a park, plus a bike path will wind through the property, so you can use the sidewalks to walk, go on the bike path and literally walk to school,” Wendland said, adding Hefty is donating the green space and walking path to the city.

Construction is planned to start this month so dirt work can be done by September and building can begin this fall.

Unlike many developments, which are phased, all these lots will be opened at once, allowing first-time, move-up and executive options for buyers. Prices range from $38,000 to $103,000.

“There’s a lot of interest,” Hefty said. “Many of them currently don’t live in Baltic and are taking a look at this.”

He’s also adding some incentive, offering an 8 percent discount for anyone who commits to a lot and makes the purchase by the end of the year.

“And a larger discount will be offered to our employees and to Baltic teachers,” Hefty said. “We really appreciate what they do and like the idea that some of them might even be able to walk home.”

The partnership is a perfect example of an employer addressing both a workforce and a community need, said Jesse Fonkert, executive director of the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

“The Hefty family and Hefty Seed are making a big statement with this development about investing – in their people and in Baltic,” he said.

“Housing is a critical component to an employer’s success and an employee’s satisfaction. We’re hopeful this project could serve as a model for others and are sure it’s going to help meet a clear need both for this community and this company.”

For Hefty, the hope is to do just a little better than break even.

“I can see why a lot of developers can struggle financially because it takes a tremendous amount of capital and you’re just hoping there are enough people out there looking to pay what you need to charge for lots,” he said.

“For me, I would just like to come out a few dollars ahead to put more money back into the town and the school. We’re trying to do more in terms of public improvements than many developers because the ultimate goal is for our people to move there and be happy and for more good teachers to move to Baltic and for others to move and be happy they didn’t have to spend a fortune to move someplace nice.”

To learn more about the Grant Park Capital developments, click here.