News
Federal grant to boost infrastructure at Kendallville park
7/24/2010
Author: Dennis Nartker
Published by: News Sun
A $663,375 matching federal grant will help complete road and infrastructure improvements in Kendallville's East Industrial Park.
The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration announced Friday Kendallville had been awarded the matching grant to make roadway improvements in the industrial park first developed nearly 40 years ago. The city's largest employer, Courier Kendallville, is located on Marion Drive in the industrial park.
"This is great news," said Mayor Suzanne Handshoe. "This will enable us to refurbish roads that haven't been upgraded since the park was developed." Industries in the park have complained over the years about the poor condition of the roads.
The total package for infrastructure improvements with the city's 50 percent match is $1,326,750. The city's match will come from County Economic Development Income Tax Revenue, according to Handshoe.
"An improved East Industrial Park will serve as a catalyst for attracting new businesses and jobs to the region," U.S. assistant secretary of commerce for economic development John Fernandez said in Friday's announcement. "This EDA investment will provide the vital infrastructure improvements needed to keep northeast Indiana competitive."
Handshoe learned about the grant Friday. "This project is capitalizing on the strength of the region's existing industrial park infrastructure and manufacturing-focused labor force," she is quoted as saying in the EDA news release.
Handshoe said Friday the statement came from the city's grant application submitted to the EDA in April.
The city has used a $900,000 EDA matching grant it received two years ago along with CEDIT revenue to expand the industrial park further east, construct a rail spur and new roads, and install utilities. The East Park Rogers Addition has 40 acres of shovel-ready land for new industrial development.
Marion Drive in the industrial park was recently repaved using money from the first EDA grant and CEDIT revenue.
The EDA investment will fund pavement restoration, drainage improvements, curbs and utility work, encompassing a total of approximately 4,350 feet of roadway over six separate sections of roads in the industrial park. These improvements will address deficiencies of the park that have existed for years.
"This will complete the needed infrastructure improvements," said Handshoe, who anticipates the work to begin within the next year.
Region III-A assisted Kendallville with the EDA grant application.
Improving the industrial park roads has been one of the Kendallville Redevelopment Commission's top five goals over the years, according to commission chairman Ray Scott. "This is good news," he said Friday.
The commission has used Tax Increment Finance (TIF) revenue to make infrastructure improvements to Kendallville's east side, and is currently working on the planned East Dowling Street reconstruction project. Back to Top