Industrial Land Shortage

VINCENNES, IND. (WTHI) - A Wabash Valley community is finding that success is creating some more work.

Industrial development officials in Knox County say that with the upcoming addition of the Farbest Turkey Plant that their industrial park is almost full.

The community is now beginning to look to develop the next spot where opportunity and jobs can grow.

The 215 acre Knox County Highway 41 Industrial park has seen a lot of changes since it opened.

Everything from small trucking operations to large industry have made it a home, and with Farbest committed to adding a turkey plant there officials are calling it a huge success.

"Our existing industrial park over 10 years, once Farbest moves to a second shift operation will have created about 1,500 new jobs for this community," said Gary Gentry with the Knox County Development Corporation.

The additions have created a new dilemma.

The park has only a few small plots left for future businesses and nothing big enough to handle a major industrial client.

"I think it is essential that we do move in the direction of replacing our park or expanding our existing park, whatever the alternatives appear to be," said Gentry.

There's a lot more to developing an industrial park than buying some land and throwing up a sign.

Officials say it's important to be close to good transportation and have ready access to utilities.

"There is just an awful lot you have to take into consideration," said Gentry. "Of course in Knox County you have an awful lot of underground mining and we have to avoid those areas for an appropriate industrial park as well."

While local officials know a new park may be both costly and difficult to development they say they have to be ready for the next time opportunity knocks.

The Development Corporation is working with elected officials to begin putting together a plan for more industrial land in the county.