SHOALS — The Shoals Town Council has taken a decisive step toward revitalizing the community’s riverfront by approving a 10-year tax abatement for the owners of the historic Star Mill Gathering Place.
The incentive package, approved Monday night, supports the second and most ambitious phase of restoration for the 1858 structure. Owners Chad and Audrey Gibson, Martin County natives who purchased the mill from longtime owner Jason Leonard, are working to transform the former industrial site into a premier heritage tourism destination and community hub along the East Fork of the White River.
The Star Mill is a rare survivor of Indiana’s mid-19th-century industrial era. Originally a steam-powered linseed and flour mill, it spent decades as a cornerstone of the local agricultural economy under the Star Milling Co. name.
The current restoration project is designed as an “adaptive reuse” that honors the building’s historic integrity. Key improvements funded under the new abatement include:
- Structural Stabilization: Vital repairs to the original brick masonry and massive timber framework to ensure another century of use.
- Modern Compliance: Installation of ADA-compliant restrooms, ramps, and entrances, as well as new secondary fire exits to meet the Indiana Building Code for public event spaces.
- Economic Hub: The addition of a commercial-grade kitchen and a “mercantile” space that will exclusively feature products, food, and drinks from Indiana-based makers.
The project is being developed in deliberate stages to build immediate momentum for the town’s “Historic River District.”
- Phase 1 (Completed 2025): The Gibsons successfully launched riverside camping with full RV hookups (50 and 30 amp service) and established a thriving canoe and kayak rental business. The rentals serve popular local routes, including excursions to Hindostan Falls and Williams Dam.
- Phase 2 (2026-Present): With the tax abatement secured, the focus shifts to the interior of the mill. Once the event space and mercantile are complete, the site will serve as the anchor for town events, such as the annual Shoals Harvest Fest.
The Star Mill is part of a larger revitalization effort in downtown Shoals. Local officials have recently prioritized infrastructure and community enhancements, including the “Historic Shoals River District” initiative, which aims to market the downtown area as a center for economic activity and heritage.
Council members noted that supporting the mill project is a “no-brainer” for the town’s tax base, as it utilizes existing utility infrastructure while breathing life into a site that had previously been at risk of falling into disrepair.
