Development to bring ‘much-needed’ housing to North Vernon

Officials in North Vernon broke ground Tuesday on a $35 million housing development. The project, which is being billed as the first substantial residential development in more than 30 years, will add 100 new housing units to the Jennings County city.

Known as Heritage Estates, the project is a public-private partnership among the city of North Vernon, the North Vernon Redevelopment Commission, DC Development and Indianapolis-based HWC Engineering, which also has an office in North Vernon.

North Vernon Clerk-Treasurer Shawn Gerkin says bringing new, quality housing to the city will position it for growth for the first time in years.

“This will benefit our businesses and our residents alike,” Gerkin said. “Additional housing enables businesses across the region to attract and retain top talent, and population growth leads to more dining and shopping options for our residents.”

North Vernon is located about 65 miles southeast of Indianapolis.

The project is being supported by a $3.1 million grant from the state’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative, or READI. The funding will help fund infrastructure work for the development.

A spokesperson for HWC Engineering told IIB the project will be completed in phases, with lots expected to be available in the spring of 2024.

(Pictured Above, L to R) Chris Jackson, DC Development; Trevor Lane, IEDC; Shawn Gerkin, The City of North Vernon; Greg Hicks, North Vernon RDC; Mayor Mike Ochs, The City of North Vernon; Jamie Ford-Bowers, HWC Engineering; Tyler Warman, Office of The Governor of Indiana.