PROPOSED AGRIBUSINESS PARK NEEDS LAND
Friday, December 5th, 2008 -- 9:55 AM
We?ve been hearing a lot about a proposed Agribusiness Campus near Owen lately.But it appears not everyone in the county is on the same page.
The crucial acreage for the business park is located south of STH 29, across the highway from the Clark County Health Care Center.
The 160 acres are owned by Clark County.
Health Care Center Executive Director Jane Schmitz says her committee believes they have jurisdiction over that land.
They currently rent it to an area farmer for about $12,000 per year.
While Clark County Economic Development Director Sheila Nyberg has expressed a desire to give the land to companies wanting to build, the Health Care Center sub-committee doesn?t seem thrilled with the idea.
Schmitz says their committee wants to know the fair market value of the land.
They plan to craft a resolution that would ?organize the next step?. The committee believes they should be in charge of purchase and lease offers; they also want assurances any development there won?t impact their private wells and that infrastructure development will not be the responsibility of the county.
The Health Care Center sub-committee will meet with Nyberg next Thursday morning.
Resolutions could go before the board during the December 18th meeting.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.