Nine Indiana Sites Score State Designation for Speedier Development

INDIANAPOLIS (July 11, 2008) - Nine sites across Indiana earned the title of 'shovel ready' today, paving the way for businesses to quickly locate new operations on property ready for development.

The nine new sites located in Clark, Crawford, Henry, Jennings, Knox, La Porte, Lawrence, Perry and Warrick counties join 30 other 'shovel ready' sites identified by the state since 2006 that have undergone extensive title work, proof of ownership, legal and environmental review and qualify for expedited permitting with state regulatory agencies.

"With more and more companies looking for sites where they can have a shovel in the ground as quickly as possible, this program gives Indiana an advantage when it comes to competing with other states for new investments and new jobs," said Nathan Feltman, Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.  "This is another vital tool in our economic development toolbox that will help give Indiana the edge when attracting new and promising investment to the state."

Designed to lower the cost of site development, improve efficiency of state permitting and enhance the marketability of sites statewide, the program has already begun to achieve success, said Brad Moore, the shovel ready project manager for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.

In December, Medco Health Solutions (NYSE:MHS) announced plans to site the world's largest automated pharmacy on a 'shovel ready' site in the Boone County town of Whitestown, 25 minutes northwest of Indianapolis.  Construction of the new 318,000-square-foot pharmacy that will cover an area equivalent to six and a half football fields is underway and is slated to open early in 2009, creating approximately 1,300 jobs by 2012.   

Home furnishings designer and developer Baekgaard, Ltd. also announced plans in late 2007 to locate its new corporate headquarters and distribution center on one of the 'shovel ready' sites along Interstate 69 in southwest Allen County, creating more than 55 new jobs.  Shovel ready sites in Bartholomew and Vanderburgh counties have also landed new employers.

Passed in the 2005 legislative session as part of Governor Daniels' jobs agenda, 'shovel ready' sites are certified by the state's Fast Access Site Team that consists of representatives from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Governor's Office, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Indiana Department of Transportation, Indiana State Department of Health, Indiana State Department of Agriculture and the Indiana State Department of Homeland Security.  

Certified sites have been eligible for matching grants to assist with eligible costs associated with applying for the Shovel Ready program.  These sites are listed on the Indiana Economic Development Corporation's Site. 

This online resource allows site selection consultants and businesses to research available commercial and industrial properties that are available for quick development and investment.

The most recent Shovel Ready sites receiving certification are:

Shovel ready sites certified since 2006 include those located in Anderson, Columbus, Connersville, Crawfordsville, Fort Wayne, Franklin, Greencastle, Greensburg, Lafayette, LaPorte, Ligonier, Logansport, Madison, Montpelier, Ossian, Rushville, South Bend, Winchester, Benton County, Boone County, Harrison County, Miami County, Pulaski County, Ripley County, Scott County, Switzerland County, Vanderburgh County, Washington County and Whitley County.