Wiseman Industries is building a 10,000 square foot Gifts of Grace store at Henderson’s north entrance, and HEDCO committed $50,000 a year for three years. It is a community-minded project. The record just doesn’t agree with itself about what kind of project it is.
This story is part of our review of every performance agreement the Henderson Economic Development Corporation has made. A performance agreement is a contract: HEDCO puts up sales tax money, land or work, and a business promises something in return, usually investment and jobs. We are not suggesting anyone did anything wrong. We are asking whether the public can see what was promised and whether anyone checks.
| The deal at a glance | |
|---|---|
| Recipient | Wiseman Industries / Henderson Gifts of Grace (Wiseman Ministries) |
| HEDCO action | Project item April 15, 2025; construction time extension on the May 12, 2026 agenda |
| City Council approval | November 18, 2025 (item 21) |
| Incentive | $50,000 a year for 2026, 2027 and 2028 ($150,000 total) |
| Paid so far | $35,000 by March 31, 2026, against a $50,000 budget |
| Promised in return | A new retail store; about $40,000 a year in city sales tax, per council presentation |
| Agreement text public? | No |
What the record shows
Mr. Gardella told the council on November 18, 2025 that the store will sell new and gently used goods, that the site had already been cleared, and that Wiseman also uses its facilities to train and support the people it employs. He estimated about $40,000 a year in sales tax for the city, and said HEDCO also asked for beautification because the site sits on the north entrance to town. The council approved it.
HEDCO’s financial report lists the line as “Wiseman Performance,” $50,000 a year for three years, with $35,000 paid by March 31, 2026. On May 12, 2026 the HEDCO board heard from Tim Wiseman and considered extending the construction time.
What’s missing
What the public record leaves out
- What kind of project this is. The council was told it is a retail store. HEDCO’s published notice of 2025-26 projects lists a “Wiseman Industries warehouse facility” under the sections of state law for primary jobs. In a recorded HEDCO meeting, the board’s attorney said retail is not on the list of primary-job industries. The project may well qualify another way, but the record should say which.
- The job and sales tax promises in the agreement itself, and what happens if they aren’t met.
- Why $35,000 was paid against a $50,000 annual commitment, and the new construction deadline.
Our ask
What would make this deal easy to check
- Publish the agreement and the extension.
- State the legal authority HEDCO is using for this project.
- Report actual sales tax from the store against the $40,000 estimate once it opens.
Sources: HEDCO agendas for April 15, 2025 and May 12, 2026; HEDCO financial report through March 31, 2026 (line 6102); HEDCO notice of projects for fiscal year 2025-26; Henderson City Council meeting, November 18, 2025 (recording); recorded HEDCO board meeting on the Evenside housing project.