Munitions Campus expected to bring added benefits to Greene County
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe executive director of the Greene County Economic Development Corp. says the impact of the planned $75 million Munitions Campus in Bloomfield goes beyond just the jobs its expected to create.
The Texas-based American Center for Manufacturing and Innovation, which is developing the campus that will be part of the more than 1,100-acre National Security Industrial Hub, recently announced the first 16 companies that have committed to setting up operations at the site.
Officials believe the development could generate more than $600 million in private investment, along with the prospect for thousands of jobs.
Brianne Jerrels told Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick that the investment could have an even greater benefit for the region.
“[It’s] just the economic multiplier effect you’ve got,” Jerrels said. “They may or may not have a spouse or significant other or children, and so what are they going to do for a living? What kind of jobs do they do? And not just that, but then also the opportunity for careers for our future workforce.”
The expected new jobs come with an average salary of $115,000, Jerrels said. She also noted that housing is also a priority for economic development officials.
“We want as many of these folks to live in Greene County as possible,” she said. “Of course, it benefits the entire region if they move outside Greene County, but we would prefer to have them as local as possible.”
Simon Shewmaker, head of development for ACMI Properties, which is developing the National Security Industrial Hub and the Munitions Campus, previously told IIB there has been a growing demand for space near the Crane naval base, which made Bloomfield a prime location.
“We’ve seen significant demand from companies wanting to be close to Crane and to work with Crane, and also the benefits that Indiana has to offer from its workforce, from its ease of transportation along I-69,” he said. “That’s really what took our brought our focus to that community in that area.”
Jerrels said local officials are hoping to attract more amenities to the area as more residents join the community.
“One thing we talk about is what kind of amenities will it attract…and are the best fit for Greene County?” she said. “What we have to offer—we have outdoor recreation, and so it’s not really much of a community where you’re expecting nightlife. But we do have outdoor recreation, arts and downtown sprawl.”
Jerrels said the developing adds to what she describes as a shift in the last few years for economic development in Greene County.