(INDIANAPOLIS) – Today, the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs joined officials from the Rushville Redevelopment Commission and the City of Rushville, to announce the designation of Indiana Site Certified Prime to the Commerce Park at Rushville.
“The availability of project-ready sites is critical to attracting new investment to rural Indiana and spurring economic growth,” said Jodi Golden, Executive Director of OCRA. “Today’s economic development projects move at a swift pace and require sites be developed quickly. I want to congratulate the leadership and local partners of the Commerce Park at Rushville on receiving the prime designation.”
The 288-acre site is key in demonstrating the park’s logistical advantages, and is owned and optioned by the Rushville Redevelopment Commission and is zoned for heavy manufacturing.
“We are honored to receive the Prime Site Certification from the State of Indiana,” said Mayor of Rushville Mike Pavey. “The Commerce Park at Rushville is recognized at the highest level established for industrial development sites in the state.”
The city has invested millions of dollars in recent years with an initial acreage purchase under former Mayor Bob Ridges. In 2012, the city was awarded a $1.77 million grant from the United States Economic Development Administration. Under Mayor Pavey’s leadership, the grant was matched with $1.77 million in local funds to develop the park to be shovel and backhoe ready.
“With less than ten Prime Certified sites in the state, this provides an immediate advantage to our community,” said John McCane, Executive Director of the Rush County Economic Development Corporation. “The prime designation sets us apart from most communities around the state, and it will show site consultants and industries looking to expand that Rushville has one of the best sites for immediate development.”
The Indiana Site Certified program validates sites that are ready for economic development. The program is administered by OCRA in partnership with the state’s Fast Access Site Team, which is comprised of multiple state agencies. These agencies include the Indiana Department of Transportation, Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
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