When thinking about long-term expansion projects like ours it can be helpful to think in terms of phases. Our project has four phases:
- Phase 1: Feasibility
- Phase 2: Preparing for Construction
- Phase 3: Construction
- Phase 4: Preparing for Opening
Phase 3, Construction, is scheduled to begin in the middle of September, which means we are currently wrapping up Phase 2, Preparing for Construction. The final step of Phase 2 includes securing our financing. Bluff Country Co-op plans to finance this project through a combination of BCC savings, preferred share sales, and external funding. During the past few weeks, the GM and the Vice President of the Board of Directors have visited several banks to discuss financing options. Soon the Board of Directors will vote to approve one of the options. In the meantime, our preferred shares are still available to BCC owners who are Minnesota residents. If you’re interested in purchasing shares or learning more about them, please contact Aurea Osgood at aurea@bluff.coop.