GALT HERALD: BAY CITY ELECTRIC BREAKS GROUND
A multiyear project by a generator supplier to open a new facility in Galt reached a major milestone Nov. 6 with a groundbreaking ceremony at its planned site in the city’s industrial area.
Located on 9 acres at 695 Industrial Drive, the 20,000-square-foot building will be across the street from Cardinal CG Galt.
Rodney Lee, owner of Bay City Electric Works, and others spoke to a gathering of Bay City employees and city of Galt officials. Also in attendance were Sacramento County Supervisor Pat Hume; a representative of Galt’s congresswoman, Doris Matsui; and Cosumnes Fire Department Chief Felipe Rodriguez.
The project has been in the works for several years, having begun during the tenure of the city’s previous community development director. It has been a major focus for planning staff and Economic Development Manager Amie Mendes.
Lee said the new building is a first for the company, which is an emergency-generator distributor for Kohler.
“We’ve never done this before. We’ve bought facilities, and we have leased facilities, but we have never built one,” he said, continuing that Bay City started its search for a location to serve northern Nevada and California in 2019. But none of the existing sites met the company’s needs, and Lee said it became clear that a facility would have to be purpose-built.
When Bay City visited Galt, the parcel on Industrial Drive was much too large, but the company decided to work with the city on dividing the property into four pieces. Bay City is building on one parcel, and La Quinta Inn & Suites recently opened on another.
“We had never felt more welcome and, more importantly, wanted,” Lee noted of the process. “Being welcome is one thing, but when somebody wants you, that’s huge. We immediately knew at that time that we would try to make something work here.”
Lee said he and his family relate to Galt’s small-town atmosphere. He cited planned housing construction as a reason for locating in the city, and he said the company plans to hire in the local area.
“The charm of a small community is really super special. … So we have a really great feel for the community,” he said.
Construction had already been going on for six weeks when Galt and Bay City officials dug commemorative shovels into the dirt along Industrial Drive. During the ceremony, workers were preparing frames in which the building’s concrete walls would be poured on-site. Once the concrete has set, a crane will raise the walls into place.
The facility will handle generator sales, parts, service and rentals, according to Bay City.
Galt Mayor Jay Vandenburg expressed his appreciation for Bay City’s investment in Galt and for city staff’s work on the project. Noting his day job as an electrician, he said the project is “very close to my heart.”
The presence of members of multiple levels of government “highlights how important this is for the city of Galt,” Vandenburg said. “Galt’s at a historical turning point, long-term. And I think you’re going to see that in the coming years, whether that be five or 15, it’s going to make a huge difference in our community in a very positive way.”
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