Investing in New Jobs

SCOTLAND, IND. (WTHI) - One corner of the Wabash Valley is breaking ground, cutting ribbons, and adding jobs.

The Westgate at Crane Tech Park marked expansion with a pair of events.

Just outside Scotland, in eastern Greene County, officials put shovels to dirt to mark the start of construction of a new $3.5 million sewer project.

It's considered key to the growth of the Westgate at Crane Tech Park.

"This is very crucial," said President of the Westgate at Crane Authority Kent Parisien. "This allows us to expand in the future and Westgate can continue to develop."

Building a sewer plant nay not seem all that exciting, but then you have to think about what it's supporting and how it's going to translate into jobs in this area.

The Tech Park now has seven buildings filled with an alphabet soup of defense contractors working with the nearby Crane Naval Warfare Center.

CACI has moved 100 high tech workers into it's new facility.

"We felt it was time to put down a footprint now in support of the community and the warfare center that says we're here to stay," said CACI Vice President Al Maiorano. "We're committed to the organization. We're committed to the community and hopefully our presence here will grow."

The sewer will also reach out to another growing project.

An interchange for I-69 is just down the road.

"I see a lot of potential for new businesses, motels, restaurants, other things that can be built around this interchange," said President of the Greene County Redevelopment Commission Hal Harp.

The area has developed despite the worst economic downtown since the great depression and there seems to be plenty of optimism it will continue.

"With Crane located nearby and that helping to drive the local economy I think there's an unlimited potential here in Greene County and the surrounding area for growth," said 8th District Congressman Larry Bucshon.

Growth that now has the right infrastructure going into place to support it.

Officials at Westgate say they expect to break ground on as many as four new buildings yet this year.