But the presence of the interstate still encourages companies to establish themselves in Madison County. Affiliated Computer Services came to Exit 22 in September 2007, Madison Park Church of God created a megachurch near Exit 26 in May 2007, and IBM moved in near the Madison-Delaware county at Exit 34 in April 2007.

“The space was available, it was extremely affordable and that’s a hard combination to beat,” former Anderson Economic Development Consultant Greg Winkler said. “They’ve got phones already in place, they’re just off the interstate. If you’re checking off all the boxes, this scores very high.”

But the interstate boom has left some behind.

The small town of Lapel is working to craft its first comprehensive plan as its neighbors, including Pendleton and Ingalls, have made grabs for land near the interstate.

“Our town is in a unique situation because we need to grow badly,” said Tom Tudor, Lapel clerk-treasurer. “Communities around us are trying to manage growth but we’re not growing. Our school numbers show it.”

Jerry Harkness owns and operates Sports Arsenal in Edgewood Plaza on Anderson’s west side. He came to Anderson from the Indianapolis area two years ago and has grown tired of seeing development along Interstate 69 and Scatterfield Road.

“When good things happen in Anderson, they seem to happen on the other side of town,” he said. “Not in this community.”