I-69 (Exit 41): Slow-to-grow exit shows potential

By Brandi Watters, Herald Bulletin Staff Writer

November 18, 2008 08:19 am

— MUNCIE — It may not have restaurants, casinos or hotels, but Exit 41 on Interstate 69 is on the cusp of development.
Exit 41 lines the western edge of Delaware County, just a mile from the Madison County border.
The exit seems empty at first glance. Two gas stations welcome northbound motorists with little else in sight. In the distance behind the Ricker’s convenience store and just across the street from a Citgo gas station, an industrial park with a steady flow of traffic offers a peek at the future of this interchange.
Park One, as its called, is a 300-acre industrial hub on the brink of economic development, according to Terry Murphy, vice president of economic development for Muncie. The park was built seven years ago by Gale Tschour Construction.
Only 60 of the 300 acres of the park are currently occupied by businesses, Murphy said.
The park and its slow growth got a shot of adrenaline with the Oct. 8 announcement that an Italian manufacturer will soon set up its U.S. headquarters in the park, injecting 455 high-paying jobs into the local market.
The jobs are expected to average $46,000 a year.
Brevini Power Transmissions makes gear boxes for wind turbines and will begin construction on their 150,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in 2009.
Brevini’s Park One move is a $62 million investment in the area.
“In the American economy, hope springs from the heartland. The selection of Delaware County and east central Indiana for this wonderful new facility is mostly a credit to the people of east central Indiana,” U.S. Rep. Mike Pence said after Brevini went public with plans for Park One.
Brevini will join a small group of other businesses currently located at the park.
Anchoring the park is the Sav-A-Lot distribution center, occupying 325,000 square feet.
TK Contractors, a large home-building business, uses the park for its corporate headquarters.
An established TIF (tax increment financing) district, the park is designed to draw continued development, but so far, has seen little.
“We would have liked to have seen some more growth out there but we also see a lot of activity out there now. We’re hoping it’s going to take off here pretty quick,” Murphy said.
Murphy said Gale Tschour Construction has built a 60,000-square-foot spec building hoping to lure businesses not interested in going through the entire construction process. “It’s a building that they’ve completed all the walls and gone ahead and put truck docks in. The interior is not finished out and a company that’s looking at potential locations will first look at communities with existing buildings,” Murphy said. “The hope is that having that building there will eventually attract a company there.”
Delaware County lured Brevini to Park One and beat out Anderson’s best efforts by offering $1.425 million in local economic development income tax funds, $1.6 million in tax increment financing and $1.9 million in infrastructure improvements, including a rail improvement.
The state added another $3.9 million in Hoosier business investment tax credits, $300,000 in job training assistance with a partnership with Ivy Tech Community College, and infrastructure development assistance.
Besides Brevini
Outside of the park, two gas stations appear to be the only other businesses at the exit, but tucked away on the west side of the interchange, familiar yellow trucks are lined up.
The Rental Store offers a collection of CAT supplies and equipment for rent.
Motorists must travel six miles east to Muncie to find hotels, restaurants and retail outlets, but turning west brings travelers to the heart of northern Madison County.
Just five miles west of the exit, Indiana 9 intersects, leading the way to Alexandria and Elwood while motorists continuing along East 800 North will find themselves headed for Frankton.
Alexandria Mayor Jack Woods said the exit does have an impact on the town’s economy. “Even though we’re 5.5 miles from the interstate, any time you have an entrance or exit from the interstate, that’s a viable asset to the community. That’s what your businesses look for, to see how easy and accessible it is.”
Alexandria resident John Dockrey said the exit has always been crucial to his travel. “That’s a straight shot to Muncie from Alexandria. I never go any other direction but that to 69. From Alex, that is the natural progression, to go south to Indy.”
Rob Sparks, director of the Corporation for Economic Development in Madison County, said the county recently finished a study exploring the various interchanges, including the most overlooked, Exit 41.
The study was designed to help county officials determine what assets they have to lure potential development. A study in infrastructure and utilities went hand in hand with soil composition, water sheds and zoning.
Sparks said the results of the study are not yet released for Exit 41.
He remains optimistic. “It’s got untapped potential.”
The industrial park, Sparks said, is an underestimated resource that will benefit Madison County despite its placement on the Delaware County side of 69. The study, he said, will help Madison County officials market the exit, something that’s long overdue. “It’s not developed and it’s not being marketed well.”
Before Brevini chose the Park One location, Anderson city officials spent 18 months trying to lure the company to the city, which continues to suffer from the loss of 24,000 GM jobs.
Anderson Economic Development Director Linda Dawson said Brevini eyed the Flagship Center at Exit 22 as a possible site for its U.S. headquarters but ruled the location out because it lacked a pre-built facility.
Though the jobs went to Muncie, Dawson said the facility will still benefit Madison County residents because it’s within commuting distance.
Muncie and Madison County are both hoping the industrial park can carry the exit into a future filled with a bustling business scene and more high-paying jobs. Murphy is confident in this future. “I just see this park as on the verge of some very good things happening over the next couple years out there.”

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Exit 41 businesses:
Brevini Power Transmission (Coming soon)
Ricker’s gas station
Citgo gas station
Sav-a-lot
TK Contractors
The Rental Store
Gale Tschour Construction

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