Gun maker expects to complete move in spring
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By Kurt Allemeier | Wednesday, January 02, 2008 |
UPDATED: LeCLAIRE, Iowa — An Illinois custom gun manufacturer opened the new year at the same old place in Illinois as construction continues on a new facility across the river in LeClaire.
Les Baer Custom of Hillsdale, Ill., announced in May it wanted to move out of Illinois and received approval of a development and site plan agreement in LeClaire. Heavy rains in August slowed construction.
On Monday, owner Les Baer described the plant as being about 80 percent complete. Exterior work is completed, but some interior work must be finished on the building at the secluded 2.82-acre site between Iowa Drive and Eagle Ridge Road.
“It is going,” Baer said. “We aren’t going to move yet.”
He estimates the company will move into its new address in March. In May, the LeClaire City Council voted to sell the site for $10,000 and provide up to $150,000 in tax-increment financing to the company.
The facility will be used for commercial assembly and manufacturing of custom 1911-style handguns, and AR .223 rifles.
Baer decided to move his company when a bill arose in the Illinois General Assembly banning large-capacity gun magazine clips. The bill failed to reach a vote, so other companies that considered a similar move are now waiting to see what happens with future legislation.
Another cause for delay is the company’s focus on a major gun show in February. The company will be an exhibitor at the Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show and Conference in Las Vegas from Feb. 2-5.
The trade show for the shooting sports and hunting industries drew 42,000 attendees in 2007, up from 40,000 in 2006.
Weather is another reason the company isn’t going anywhere for a few months.
“We wouldn’t try to move in the winter,” Baer said.
Kurt Allemeier can be contacted at (563) 383-2360 or kallemeier@qctimes.com.
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