Property owners attend mtg.
Industry could be economic boon needed
Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Representative Cleo Duncan noted that the mystery industry that could come to either Ripley or Decatur counties, would make a huge economic impact on the area. She said the impact would be not only for the people who would be employed by the industry, but would affect businesses throughout the entire area.

Last week as word got out that a major company was thinking about locating in either Ripley or Decatur counties, people were excited, but wanted to know exactly what the industry would be.

While Governor Mitch Daniels says he still cannot divulge that information, he said it would be big and good for Indiana. “I hope everyone will understand that confidentiality about certain details - including the identity of the company - is important at this early stage,” he commented. “That is normal in these situations. A breach of confidentiality could seriously damage Indiana’s chances of landing this project.”

Property owners who met in a special meeting last Thursday found out they would be compensated far above the appraised value of their land if they would be willing to sell. They will also have a chance to meet again with officials from the prospective company and bring their own attorneys or accountants. In a statement from Governor Daniels, he noted that he received reports that the meetings in both counties were well attended and they went well. “Company representatives will continue to respond to questions from property owners,” he said.

Rep. Duncan was in attendance at the Republican Lincoln Day Dinner Saturday night at Batesville and noted that property owners were being more than compensated forr should they decide to sell. “They will get market value, plus 75 percent above it,” she told the media. Plus, an incentive of $6000 bonus would be given those who sign by April 21, plus an additional incentive of $5,000 for a moving allowance.

Those in attendance, which were by invitation only, still did not find out what type of industry is looking at our area. Some revealed that they were told it was not a chemical type industry or nuclear plant that would need 1000 acres to operate on.

The project is moving very rapidly with the company helping with the land acquisitions wanting the landowners to give their decisions by May 5. They want to close real estate deals by July with officials saying they would begin to start the initial project by this fall.
County officials note that the company would bring at least 750 good-paying jobs to the area. The Ripley County property being considered is south of 46, a northern boundary of 1200N, west boundary of 400E, and eastern boundary of 700E by Spades Road, according to information from WRBI’s Mary Mattingly. The Decatur property being considered is near the New Point area.

Commissioner Robert Reiners has been in touch with an attorney from Baker & Daniels, the land acquisition firm working with the project. He noted that things will move “extremely fast” with cooperation of landowners being of utmost importance in landing the deal.

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