MUNCIE — While much of the the economy across Indiana and the United States took a step back during the pandemic, Delaware County stepped up in the past year and broke records in investment, according to Brad Bookout, economic development director for the county.
Bookout delivered a report on economic development in 2021 for county commissioners Dec. 20. It included what he called a record number of economic development announcements, a record number of groundbreakings and $793 million in economic investments, which he said was the largest yearly investment in the county’s history.
Bookout, whose Yorktown firm, Augusta Consulting LLC., contracts with the county, said 2021 proved stronger than any year in memory in terms of development projects.
He identified CANPACK, a manufacturer of cans based in Poland that is now building a $490 million factory at Fuson and Cowan roads. The 862,000 square-foot facility is expected to employ 425 people by the end of its second phase and pay them a wage, the company promises, that is at least 125% of the average wage paid in Muncie.