Tipton County rezoning moves forward in effort to lure 1,200 jobs

Tipton County officials have approved the rezoning of 188 acres for industrial use to help lure a possible $600 million investment that could create 1,200 jobs.

Last Thursday the Tipton County Planning Commission recommended the site at Ind. 28 and U.S. 31 be rezoned from agriculturial/residential use to industrial.

The Tipton County Commissioners on Wednesday approved the rezoning. There is now a 60 day period which allows for a remonstrance against the rezoning before the zoning change is official.

Speculation has swirled for months that DaimlerChrysler and Getrag, a German manufacturing company, have been looking for a potential site in central Indiana to construct a new transmission assembly plant. Locations include Kokomo, Tipton County, Frankfort and Lafayette.

Commissioners Tom Dolezal and Monte Henderson voted for the rezoning while Commissioner Dennis Henderson abstained.

Dennis Henderson said Thursday it appeared the county was in a hurry to get the rezoning completed.

"Normally we get information and then vote on an issue at the next meeting," Dennis Henderson said. "It seemed like this needed to be done on Wednesday."

Dolezal said there was not a lot of discussion at the commissioner's meeting and no one spoke against the rezoning.

"Tipton County is a legitimate consideration as far as a location for the plant," he said. "We are doing our best as a community to demonstrate we want the investment."

Dolezal said he was not surprised that no one was at the meeting in opposition to the rezoning request.

"The community as a whole recognizes this will be good for the county," he said. "I think a decision will be made in the next 30 to 60 days."

The Tipton County Economic Development Corp. requested the rezoning and has taken options on the property.