Development News From Southwest Indiana

Lt. Gov. Skillman offers good news for Greene County
By Andrea McCann, staff writer, Linton Daily News
BLOOMINGTON - Greene County, with Daviess and Martin counties, has set a precedent in Indiana. The counties have combined resources to develop the first multicounty “Certified Technology Park” in the state.

The redevelopment commissions, county commissioners and councils, and economic development offices of the three counties worked together to create the foundation for the West Gate @ Crane Technology Park that will bring jobs and other benefits to the tri-county area, according to Greene County Economic Development Director Charles Dibble.

Indiana Secretary of Commerce Pat Miller said that level of cooperation among counties is unprecedented. At a news conference Thursday in Bloomington, she applauded the effort.

Located directly outside the northwest Crane gate, the tech park is expected to attract developers, real estate companies, and technology businesses, as well as other “spinoff” businesses.

On Thursday, Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman announced that the Greene and Martin county portions of the tech park had been certified by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). Daviess County had been certified previously. The certification status qualifies the entire tech park for financial assistance otherwise unavailable.

“The federal and state coffers all open,” said County Councilman Ed Cullison.

County Commissioner Kathy Crouch, in whose district the Greene County part of the tech park lies, pointed out that the coffers already have opened for a $1 million grant, also announced by Skillman on Thursday. It was announced that IEDC will support up to $1 million in new grant funding to encourage technology jobs.

IEDC replaced the Indiana Economic Development Corporation as the state entity in charge of economic development.

“This is a turning point for this part of the state,” said IEDC Research Director Ryan Asberry. “The commitment doesn't stop here.”

Cullison said he's impressed that the governor's office is behind the West Gate project and believes it bodes well for Greene County.

“Face it, the state's taking a gamble, too,” he said.

He believes there will be a trickle-down effect of smaller businesses opening around the West Gate technology park to support the larger companies. That's more jobs and more economic opportunities for Greene Countians.

“I call it gravy,” Cullison said. “I think we've got unlimited possibilities around here now. I'd say this is probably the best news Greene County has had.”

County Councilman Ken Gremore agreed. He cited construction of the Toyota plant in southern Indiana as an example. He said a number of businesses sprung out of that project.

Gremore said West Gate especially will be a plus for young people in the county, giving them a reason to stay in the county or come back after college to work close to home.

He said old Crane buildings have already been removed from the West Gate site. Cullison and Crouch said commitments have been obtained for water, electric and wastewater service.

“Charley Dibble confirmed that we'll be able to hook onto Crane as far as wastewater services,” Crouch said. “That monkey's off our backs.”

The Greene County officials said they expect construction to begin soon in the West Gate @ Crane Technology Park.

“We came through the BRAC process having saved Crane,” Skillman said. “Our focus now is on growing Crane and economic opportunities in the region. The expansion of this park (by the recent certification of Greene and Martin counties) makes the area and its characteristics more attractive to investors and offers a viable commercial platform for the Fortune 500 companies already working on Crane contracts.”

She said more than 70 Fortune 500 companies already have contracts with Crane, and the tech park will offer a location for them to do business locally. Skillman said the state is excited about the possibilities for fostering relationships with both business and academic entities at West Gate.

“One of the nation's largest defense contractors will lease more than 40,000 square feet in this technology park,” she said.

EG&G, a subsidiary of the $2 billion URS Corporation, a major defense contractor, has committed to being the first tenant of the West Gate in Daviess County. SAIC, an $8 billion company that represents the seventh-largest defense contractor, has committed to occupying the first building on the Martin County West Gate property.

Currently at about 200 acres, the West Gate tech park is expected to grow eventually to 1,000 acres.