Sites for proposed plants discussed (04/05/06)

It looks as if Jay County might be lucky enough to land two ethanol plants.

“It is no secret,” Bob Quadrozzi, executive director of the Jay County Development Corporation, told JCDC members Tuesday, “The Andersons have selected a site for their ethanol plant and (the Randolph County based Cardinal Ethanol) is moving very rapidly on its plans as well.”

Both companies are pursuing the possibility of constructing ethanol plants in Jay County. Neither has committed to the project.

The Andersons’ potential site is located near its grain terminal outside Dunkirk while the Cardinal group favors a site southwest of the Meshberger Bros. Stone Corp., southwest of Portland. He told members, “they’ve visited the site on five occasions.” The site is along the rail line that parallels Ind. 67.

Cardinal has completed an option to acquire the land and are reviewing infrastructure requests, according to Quadrozzi. The Andersons are preparing to present a tax abatement request to the Jay County Council.

“There are still some Is to dot and Ts to cross,” he said, adding. “It’s going to create a lot of new tax base for the county, with or without abatements.”

Quadrozzi explained The Andersons plan includes a 110 million gallon per year wet mill operation that will create about 20 new jobs while the Cardinal dry mill operation will produce about 60 million gallons per year and create 35 to 40 new jobs.

“The state has indicated it would work with both companies. Is it in the bag?” Quadrozzi explained. “No. But it sure looks good for us. We’re doing all we can to make it happen.”

Quadrozzi told the board of several other proposed projects underway in the county.

“If all breaks, we will have one of the best years ever,” he said of the construction taking place.

Hoosier Harvestore Systems, Inc., based in Delphi, has purchased a site in the Bryant Industrial Park as it expands into this area.

“They have a good reputation in the area,” he said about the business that sells equipment and supplies related to the agriculture industry.

Plans call for construction to begin in the next 30 to 45 days and three or four new jobs to be created.

Additionally, he said an industry in the Dunkirk Industrial Park is planning to double its size. That expansion is expected to create 15 to 30 new jobs.

Additionally, plans are also in the works to reopen a grocery store in Dunkirk. Ludwig’s, the sole grocery there, closed its doors last year.

Quadrozzi said, “it looks promising to get a well-established individual in there. He’ll add more product and that’s a big plus.”

In other updates Tuesday, Jay County Community Developer Ami Davidson, updated the board on several grant applications — including one from the Bryant Fire Department for equipment. She explained that Bryant volunteer firefighters had filled out their own application and asked her only for her input.

“That’s important,” Quadrozzi added, “It’s good to get more communities working on their own grants.”

“We have a lot of good things going on,” Davidson said.

Additionally, the board heard Barbara Downing, superintendent of the Jay School Corporation, thank the community for its support during the recent success of the Jay County High School boys basketball team..

“The county made sure the team knew they were supported. Many people didn’t know where Jay County was,” Downing said.

“It’s been fun,” said Joe Johnson, Jay County Hospital administrator, and president of the JCDC board said, “and it’s been good for business.”

Also Tuesday, the board heard John Knipp, Jay County Purdue Extension agent give an update on the recent ag week activities.

Knipp said some 791 residents attended the ag day breakfast and about 100 attended the farmer’s night banquet.

Board members learned that bid opening for the renovation of the Salamonia Community Center is set for May 8. Plans call for renovating a former one-room school in this southeast Jay County community with the help of a $225,000 Community Focus Fund grant it received.

“Things are booming in Salamonia,” Quadrozzi said.

Johnson also told the board that renovations of the second floor of the hospital, which have been in progress for several months, are nearing completion.

“We’re on the home stretch now,” he said. “It should be done by June.”

Quadrozzi reminded members that the annual industrial appreciation dinner is set for May 9 with Ron Stiver, commissioner with the Indiana Work Force Development, as the guest speaker. The banquet will be held at the Portland Golf Club.[[In-content Ad]]