Three Rivers City Commission approves sale of Airport Industrial Park property to Confluence Grow LLC
Representatives from Confluence were present at the meeting and said other cannabis companies that are not vertically integrated — that is, not growing and selling their own products — are struggling. They emphasized that Confluence is locally owned and operated, and that six of their employees have purchased homes in Three Rivers.
The Three Rivers City Commission Tuesday approved the sale of a parcel in the Airport Industrial Park to Confluence Grow LLC, allowing the company to cultivate its own cannabis products rather than purchase them from other suppliers.
Commissioner Pat Dane expressed concern about the decision.
“Is that what we want to become — the destination for marijuana in St. Joseph County?” Dane said.
Commissioner Torrey Brown supported the sale, noting that the company’s expansion could benefit the community.
“When you’re a seller in anything, it is more beneficial to be your own supplier,” Brown said. “We are helping a local business do local business — cut their overhead and employ more people. The company is growing its business in our community.”
Mayor Tom Lowry also voiced support, reading from the meeting packet:
“They will invest over $500,000 in facility development and hire 10 full-time staff. We are very fortunate for their commitment to job creation and contributing to the city,” Lowry said.
Commissioner Steven Haigh commented on a recently passed state bill that includes a new wholesale tax on marijuana. He noted the law’s proposed 24 percent tax on cannabis products is intended to generate roughly $420 million annually for road repairs beginning in fiscal year 2026.
“Imagine if they did this to your liquor,” Haigh said. “They found another sin to tax, so they’re going to tax it.”
Representatives from Confluence were present at the meeting and said other cannabis companies that are not vertically integrated — that is, not growing and selling their own products — are struggling. They emphasized that Confluence is locally owned and operated, and that six of their employees have purchased homes in Three Rivers.
The commission voted 6–1 in favor of the sale. Commissioners Lucas Allen, Chris Abel, Torrey Brown, Carolyn McNary, Steven Haigh, and Mayor Tom Lowry voted in favor. Commissioner Pat Dane voted against.
Other business
Commissioners approved an increase in election inspector pay to the following rates, as recommended by the Election Commission: $150 for a partial day, $300 for a full day, $50 for chairpersons, and $35 for mandatory training.
Dawn Rice received the LERMA 2025 Carpenter Award for Records Professional of the Year. She was nominated by Police Chief Scott Boling.
Commissioner Chris Abel offered parting remarks, thanking fellow commissioners, Three Rivers residents, and City Manager Joe Bippus. Abel was first appointed in April 2019 and later elected in November 2019 and has served since. He chose not to seek reelection in November.
“I just wanted to thank the public for entrusting me with this position and leading me. It’s been truly an honor and something I’ve never taken lightly. So thank you to them. To the commissioners here and the mayor, I want to thank you all for working with us and with the community. One of the best things you can do for your community is, if there’s not leadership, to step in and make sure the city keeps moving forward,” Abel said.
Three Rivers’ trick or treat will be on the day of Halloween, Friday October 31, from 5-7 p.m.
Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.
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