IN: Nine Indiana Sites Score State Designation for Speedier Development

17 Sep, 2010

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Nine sites across Indiana earned the title of 'shovel ready' today, paving the way for businesses to quickly locate new operations on property ready for development.

The nine new sites located in Cass, Hancock, Howard, Lawrence, Monroe, Morgan, Perry, Shelby and Wabash counties join the list of 56 other 'shovel ready' sites identified by the state since 2006 that have undergone extensive title work, proof of ownership, legal and environmental review and qualify for expedited permitting with state regulatory agencies.

"There's no doubt that Indiana's 'shovel ready' program is a valuable tool to attract companies looking to make a quick decision on a potential site," said Mitch Roob, Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. "Now with 65 sites throughout the state we can provide better help for businesses searching for the right place to grow." 

In August, Trenwa Inc. announced it would expand its utility products manufacturing operations in Switzerland County's 'shovel ready' Markland Business Park, creating 25 new jobs. Jasper Engines, a remanufacturer of drivetrain components, announced earlier this month that it has expanded its operations in Dubois County and its facility at the Crawford County Southeast Industrial Park 'shovel ready' site, creating a combined 65 new jobs.

Passed in the 2005 legislative session as part of Governor Daniels' jobs agenda, 'shovel ready' sites are certified by the state's Fast Access Site Team that consists of representatives from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Governor's Office, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Indiana Department of Transportation, Indiana State Department of Health, Indiana State Department of Agriculture and the Indiana State Department of Homeland Security. 

Certified sites have been eligible for matching grants to assist with eligible costs associated with applying for the 'shovel ready' program.  These sites are listed on the Indiana Economic Development Corporation's Site and Building Database at http://statein.zoomprospector.com/.  This online resource allows site selection consultants and businesses to research available commercial and industrial properties that are available for quick development and investment.

The most recent shovel ready sites receiving certification are:

 

Location	Site Name	Applicant	Contacts
Cass County       (Logansport)	Cass County-Logansport Industrial Park (92 acres)	Logansport Economic Development Foundation	Nolan "Skip" Kuker   (574) 722-5988
Hancock County (Greenfield)	Mount Comfort Air Park East (123 acres)	Hancock Economic Development Council	Dennis Maloy (317) 477-2352
Howard County (Kokomo)	Haynes High-Tech Industrial Park (96 acres)	Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance	Jeb Conrad (765) 457-2000
Lawrence County (Bedford)	Vision Group Minor Subdivision (43 acres)	Lawrence County Economic Growth Council	Gene McCracken (812) 275-4493
Monroe County (Bloomington)	Advanced Business Park (46 acres)	Bloomington Economic Development Corporation	Ron Walker (812) 335-7346
Morgan County (Mooresville)	Adams Site  (50 acres)	Morgan County Economic Development Corporation	Joy McCarthy Sessing (317) 831-9544
Perry County (English)	Perry County Industrial Park North (195 acres)	Perry County Development Corporation	Chris Kinnett (812) 547-8377
Shelby County (Shelbyville)	1200 Enterprise Site (53 acres)	Shelby County Development Corporation	Dan Theobald (317) 398-8903
Wabash County (Wabash)	Wabash Business Park (242 acres)	Economic Development Group of Wabash County	William Konyha (260) 563-5258

About IEDC
Created by Governor Mitch Daniels in 2005 to replace the former Department of Commerce, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Daniels.  Mitch Roob serves as the chief executive officer of the IEDC.  For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.