AGRIBUSINESS CAMPUS DISCUSSED
Monday, November 24th, 2008 -- 10:48 AM
There is still plenty of promise--and plenty of questions--concerning a proposed Agribusiness Campus near Owen.Owen Mayor Tim Swiggum, who is also the President of the Clark County Economic Development Corporation, and CCEDC executive Director Sheila Nyberg went before the Clark County Property Committee Friday.
Conceptual maps of the acreage show 75-acres designated for the future home of Farm Technology Days, over 100 acres of ag-commercial and ag-industrial park space and 27 acres for a 52,000-square-foot Agricultural Innovation Center, expected to cost nearly $8-million to construct.
"We're coming to you because the train is trying to leave the station and we want to know if you're on board," Nyberg explained, "That end the result of will the county board say 'continue to move forward' will seal deals. Right now, we're just getting intentions."
Nyberg said one company has already signed a statement of intent to build in the agribusiness park space, and hopes to break ground next year. The federal government has pledged $2-million for the Innovation Center, but they still need to find the other $6-million.
But, as committee members Don Kirn and Duane Boon noted, it?s unclear if Farm Technology Days wants to have a permanent site.
"The president of that organization is not interested in staying in Clark County...You'll have to get a new president on that organization," Kirn said.
But Farm Technology Days is having a difficult time finding host counties, Nyberg pointed out.
The ad hoc committee working on the Agribusiness Campus plans to present an update to the full county board at their meeting in December.
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