Eight New Indiana Sites Ready For Quick Development

Press Release

INDIANAPOLIS (February 21, 2007) — Eight new sites across Indiana earned the title of ‘shovel ready’ today, paving the way for companies to quickly locate their businesses on a property that is ready for development.

The title is the namesake of the state’s ‘Shovel Ready’ program that identifies sites which have undergone extensive title work, proof of ownership, legal and environmental review and qualify for expedited permitting with state regulatory agencies.

“With more and more companies looking for sites where they can have a shovel in the ground as quickly as possible, this program gives Indiana an advantage when it comes to competing with other states for new investments and new jobs,” said Nathan Feltman, Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. “This is another vital tool in our economic development toolbox that will help give Indiana the edge when attracting new and promising investment to the state.”

The eight new sites join the twelve others certified during the state’s pilot program of Shovel Ready in 2006. Designed to lower the cost of site development, improve efficiency of state permitting and enhance the marketability of sites statewide, the program has already begun to achieve success, said Brad Moore, the Shovel-Ready project manager for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.

“Timing is essential in any business decision and this program helps create a more business-friendly environment,” Moore said.

Passed in the 2005 legislative session as part of Governor Daniels' jobs agenda, Shovel Ready sites are certified by the Fast Access Site Team (FASTeam), which is 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://www.in.gov/iedc/site/indiana_properties.html.

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:

Anderson
(Madison County)
Scatterfield Business Park
City of Anderson Community Development
Katherine Goar
765-648-6176

Franklin
(Johnson County)
Franklin Tech Park
Johnson County Development Corporation
Cheryl Morphew
317-736-4300

Ligonier
(Noble County)
Ligonier Industrial Park
Ligonier Industrial Development Corporation
Wayne Fox
260-894-3548

Ossian
(Wells County)
OD, Inc.
Ossian Development Corporation
Gene Donaghy
260-622-7313

Rushville
(Rush County)
Rush County North Industrial Park
Rush County Economic
Development Corporation
Greg Griffin
765-938-3238

South Bend
(St. Joseph County)
Portage Prairie
Project Future
Patrick McMahon
800-228-8086

Switzerland County
Markland Business Park
Switzerland County Economic Development Corporation
Jon Bond
812-427-9100

Whitley County
Park 30 Business Center
Whitley County Economic Development Corporation
Dorinda Heiden
260-244-5506

The twelve Shovel Ready sites certified in 2006 include sites located in Columbus, Connersville, Fort Wayne, Greencastle, Greensburg, Lafayette, Montpelier, Boone County, Harrison County, Miami County, Vanderburgh County and Scott County.

To learn more about the Shovel Ready Program, visit the Indiana Economic Development Corporation website at www.iedc.in.gov or contact Brad Moore at 317/233-6796, bmoore@iedc.in.gov.

About IEDC

As a result of legislation passed by the Indiana General Assembly in 2005, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation has replaced the Department of Commerce as the premier entity charged with state economic development. The IEDC has a 12-member board chaired by Governor Mitch Daniels. Indiana Secretary of Commerce Nathan Feltman is also chief executive officer of the IEDC. For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.IN.gov.

Source: The Indiana Economic Development Corporation