Development Mystery in Boone County
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Boone County Commissioners held a town hall meeting Thursday night to address speculation about a potential development in Thorntown, but the specific company or industry seem rather vague. Our partners at WISH-TV report speculation is running rampant about a project that no agency is able or willing to confirm.
The Boone County Economic Development Corp. helped organize the forum held at Western Boone Junior-Senior High School, which drew a large crowd.
“We know there has been speculation for several months now about a development in the west part of the county and we want to make sure we are being transparent but then being proactively listening to our residents,” said Chassity Neckers, director of marketing and communications for the Boone County Economic Development Corp.
Neckers says state economic officials are “actively interested” in developing the western part of the county.
WISH-TV is reporting it has received phone calls indicating a semiconductor manufacturing plant is being considered for Boone County. The TV station says there is also discussion of a FedEx facility. However, county and state officials remain mum.
“At this time, we don’t have any information about the user prepared. Certainly, we want to make sure we are open to those opportunities. We want to make sure we can provide jobs that are life-enhancing for our community,” Neckers told WISH-TV.
Jeff Wolfe, president of the Boone County Commissioners, said they were approached by the state of Indiana for a possible new development along Interstate 65. But at this time, no land has been purchased.
“What we know and we’ve had commitments from the state is that it is not going to be an airport,” said Wolfe. “It’s not going to be a drone facility, as some of the rumors [suggested]. It is not going to be a penitentiary. The idea is to create a higher-end development under the information they gave us.”
Wolfe said nothing is set in stone yet.
Click here and here to view WISH-TV coverage.