Cautious is right course (04/28/06)

One of these days, historians are likely to take a look at the flurry of activity over ethanol development in Indiana in the early years of the 21st century.

When they do, our guess is that Jay County officials are going to look pretty good, especially when compared to their counterparts in some adjoining counties.

Right now, it’s impossible to say whether the two ethanol plants on the drawing board for the Dunkirk and Portland areas will actually come to fruition, though both of the companies involved are highly credible and both have experience with ethanol production.

The Andersons, which is proposing a plant adjacent to its rural Dunkirk grain business, has a long record of being a good corporate citizen and is involved in the construction of another ethanol plant in Indiana already.

Broin and Associates of Sioux Falls, S.D., is one of the most experienced ethanol plant operators in the country. They’re the company weighing development of a plant southwest of Portland.

What’s striking, aside from the blue ribbon credentials of both the companies involved, is that local officials have not had to give away the store to attract them to Jay County.

The usual mix of tax abatements and incentives is being made available that’s offered to any industry proposing a major capital investment in the county.

That’s par for the course when communities compete for jobs these days.

But it’s a striking contrast to a couple of other counties in the area. Others have piled on special incentives in an effort to lure an ethanol plant. Some have put the taxpayer on the hook to guarantee bond issues to finance a project.

Jay County’s approach has, instead, been conservative, consistent, and responsible.

In the long run, we believe it’s going to prove to be the smartest course of action. — J.R.[[In-content Ad]]