Local officials celebrate beginning of multi-million dollar project

KNOX COUNTY, Ind (WTHI) - Construction begins on a long awaited industrial development project.

Last December Farbest Foods announced plans for a major project that will bring hundreds of jobs to Knox County.

Work is now underway on the first part of that multi-million dollar development.

Heavy equipment came in and began moving dirt to start construction on FarBest Foods new $20 million grain mill in Knox County.

The project has been in the works for months and local officials were delighted to see it start.
 

"It's a great time to be building and everyone was very enthusiastic at the site this morning," said Gary Gentry with the Knox County Development Corporation. "I think everyone was glad to see it become a reality."

The mill is expected to be complete in 15 months and when it opens it will have 20 new jobs, but that is just part of the story.

"The impact of the mill on the community's existing agricultural base is going to be terrific," said Gentry, "so, everybody is excited to see that project get started."
 

While the physical work is beginning in Bruceville on the FarBest Mill the paperwork on the processing plant has been moving ahead and officials say they expect to see construction there start next month.
 

Last Friday the county and the company completed the land deal for the 70 million dollar turkey processing plant in the Vincennes Industrial Park that is due to open in 2014 with at least 300 new workers.
 

"Right on schedule, everything is on schedule, the processing plant, the mill and evidence of that and the dirt moving is awful good to see," said Gentry.
 

Because now it is apparent the talk is coming to an end as the work begins.

Even though the work will be well underway, a formal groundbreaking ceremony is being planned for August.