U.S. Census Bureau signs 20-year lease for new facility at River Ridge
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A commercial complex in southern Indiana has signed a major government tenant long-term. On Monday, the General Services Administration signed a 20-year lease for 340,000 square feet of space at the River Ridge Commerce Center in Charlestown.
The GSA handles office property management and supply tasks for the federal government, and the deal brings the U.S. Census Bureau’s National Processing Center to the commercial center.
The census bureau has operated in southern Indiana for decades and has been near downtown Jeffersonville. Now, the center and its approximately 600 jobs will stay in the region.
River Ridge sold the property on which the building is being built in 2022 to Broe Real Estate, which developed the facility as a spec building and signed GSA to the lease.
Charlestown Mayor Treva Hodges said in a news release that the move adds momentum to Charlestown.
“Charlestown proudly welcomes the U.S. Census Bureau as they transition from their current facility to a new, state-of-the-art home in the River Ridge Commerce Center,” Hodges said. “The regional retention of these 600 jobs demonstrates the appeal of our Southern Indiana communities, and we’re excited for census employees to join the vibrant district of neighboring companies … This renewed federal commitment to the region further proves that there’s never been a better time to choose Southern Indiana.”
Earlier this year, Communications Test Design Inc. or CTDI announced plans to build a $26 million facility in the commerce center.
The U.S. Census Bureau’s National Processing Center is the primary center for mail processing, survey processing, data capture, and imaging/scanning in support of census activities, according to the release. The bureau currently operates in multiple buildings in Jeffersonville, but will move into one building at the Charlestown facility.