Agreement reached on reuse of land at
Muscatatuck center
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

The closing of Muscatatuck State Development Center has been in the process for the past few years and is slated to be officially closed by January 1, 2005.

Three separate groups - The State of Indiana, Purdue University and Jennings County Officials - have reached an agreement for plans to reuse the grounds of the center that will allow for development of an industrial park and management of recreational areas.

According to information from the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), the agreement "transfers existing land to Purdue and allows Jennings County to use other land for economic development."

The transferred land will be used by Purdue to continue its agricultural research focusing on grain crops, forestry and horticulture. At any given time, teams of Purdue professors, graduate students and technicians conduct about 50 research projects at the center, according to FSSA reports.

"This agreement is a win for Jennings County and for all Hoosiers," Governor Joe Kernan said. "Developing an industrial park will bring jobs, and Purdue will be able to further its agricultural research at the Southeast-Purdue Agricultural Center. That's good news for our state's economy and our efforts to move Indiana forward."

A memorandum signed by the governor and Purdue President Martin Jiscke states:

· The Jennings County Economic Development Commission may assume up to 140 acres of current Purdue land within the next 10 years to build an industrial park. As projects are identified and commitments secured, the land will be transferred. After these 140 acres are developed, an additional 240 acres of Purdue land will be made available if the university finds another suitable location for the Southeast-Purdue Agricultural Center.

· The State will transfer some of Muscatatuck's land to Purdue, including recreational areas that will continue to be operated by the Department of Natural Resources. After Muscatatuck's buildings are razed, Purdue also has the option of assuming that land for agritourism and research.

Over the years Muscatatuck State Developmental Center has provided homes to thousands of residents with developmental disabilities and at its peak in the 1960's served more than 2,300 residents. It now only has 107 residents to be transitioned into alternative housing. The center was also a boon to the economy in Southeastern Indiana providing numerous jobs for area residents.