A proposed New Castle annexation has the goal of adding offices, including medical offices, and more than 30 jobs in an effort to start moving the town away from being a bedroom community.

The City Council last week heard about the annexation proposal by Plan B Real Estate developer and Turtlepoop LLC’s Mogli Cooper, who seeks to annex 3.2 acres located on Bruce Road.

“I would like to have buildings for office and medical work,” Cooper told the Post Independent. “Possibly a Glenwood Medical Associates or Valley View satellite office. … If Silt can do it, I don’t see why New Castle couldn’t.”

Cooper, a longtime realty agent and a co-owner of Iron Mountain Hot Springs in Glenwood, said the development could help New Castle become more independent.

“The goal is to make New Castle more of a self-sustaining community,” she said. “People who live in New Castle could also work in New Castle, and therefore support New Castle businesses. If we have more office space, medical support … dental support, that will all help the area.”

The Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing June 14 to discuss zoning plans for the property to be revealed to Council.

“As of right now no developmental plans have been made. We are just working on annexing the vacant space at this time,” said Town Administrator Tom Baker.

Before this recent annexation proposal, the city hoped to develop a senior care project there, but did not receive any proposals.

“The market just wasn’t ready for it,” Baker said.

Baker is optimistic about Cooper’s plan, which has potential to create up to 35 “family-supporting jobs.”

“I think [Cooper] has great ideas,” he said. “I think it will be excellent for our community.”

Cooper says it’s time for a change.

“New Castle’s growing, it’s time for them to have substructure within the community.”