By Paige Harden, The Republic Reporter
GREENSBURG — Decatur County officials hope to have 440 acres ready for industries to move into within the next few years.
The land is located in the northeastern part of the county, between Interstate 74 and the railroad.
“We need something to offer. You can’t get a factory in if you don’t have anything to offer,” said Charlie Buell, president of Decatur County Commissioners. “It’s a win-win situation for everyone, because they (the industries) will end up spending money in our community.”
A big force behind developing the land is the Greensburg/Decatur County Economic Development Corp.
Don Schilling, EDC president, said the group has already been advertising the area.
“Location is key for industries,” Schilling said. “We are halfway between Indianapolis and Cincinnati, near an interstate and a railroad.”
Schilling said it may take a couple of years to get the land to shovel-ready status, which means getting the land ready for buildings including water, sewer and gas hookups.
Some have been skeptical of the proposal to develop the land, Schilling said.
“We aren’t going to fill that land overnight,” Schilling said. “It’s a three- to seven-year investment. It took 13 years to fill the 160 acres (of industrial land) we have.
“But in the long run, new industry increases assessed valuation of the county. It lowers everyone’s property taxes, and creates more jobs and more income tax, which means more spending power in the community.”
Enticing industry
The county and the city offer tax abatements to industries and the city offers tax-increment financing.
“We have to stay competitive,” Schilling said. “Abatements and TIFs are just items of attraction to businesses.”
“The TIF money goes back to the TIF area, and can only be spent on that area,” Rethlake said. “It’s good for everybody. It helps the industries develop, and it doesn’t take anything away from the community.”
The Economic Development Corp. hopes to improve the airport, possibly attracting more manufacturing plants.
“Industries always have the airport on their checklist,” Schilling said. “Right now, large corporate aircrafts can’t land at our airport.”
Schilling said a Federal Aviation Administration grant will help improve the existing runway.
Why Decatur County?
The most important part of his job, Schilling said, is promoting Decatur County.
“Our main mission is to promote our area and attract new businesses and retain and help them grow,” he said.
Greensburg Mayor Frank P. Manus said his community has a lot to offer.
“It’s a good place to live and raise a family,” Manus said. “Education is key, and safety in our city is very good. People feel safe walking down the street.”
Schilling agreed.
“The work ethic of the people in this county is second to none,” he said. “The people are very hard-working and productive.”
Economic development could be better, Schilling said.
“We have always been very competitive. Currently, we are not as good as we had been,” Schilling said. “KS Bearings reducing employment and NTN leaving outweigh the gains right now. But we’re trying to correct that.”
“You don’t ever want to get comfortable, because you will get blindsided,” said Manus. “If you don’t continue to grow, you might go in the other direction.”