The Pulaski County Commissioners want another appraisal on farmland planned for sale to help fund the acquisition of property for a rail-served industrial park on the west side.
During Monday night’s Commissioner’s meeting, CDC Executive Director Nathan Origer updated the board on the recommendations of the Advisory Council on Industrial Development. They met on Friday to raise the price ceiling to obtain farmland near Medaryville for the project.
Origer says the items that can be made available to the public are limited right now.
“We will need an executive session with the council and commissioners all together to discuss some of the things we can discuss in executive session before we bring it back to discuss in a public meeting,” says Origer..
The price point is not being disclosed until final County Council approval has been received. A letter of intent also needs to be obtained from the seller to ensure the project is moving forward.
Before Pulaski County can complete the purchase, they must sell a portion of county-owned farmland near Winamac. Back-up plans are in place in case the sale price does not meet the requirements to complete the farmland purchase on the west side of the county. That includes using as much as $100-thousand of CEDIT money to make the exchange happen. Commissioner Bud Krohn, Jr. wanted a second appraisal on the farmland near Winamac to better understand its value.
Once the move has been executed, Pulaski County hopes to be able to better position itself to attract industry with improved access to rail and major interstates and highways. Commissioner Larry Brady says he thinks CEDIT should be on the table.
“We have roughly over $1-million in CEDIT, $1.4-million in CEDIT. $100-thousand, $200-thousand would be well worth the investment,” says Brady.
Sale of the county-owned farmland near Winamac could see a cost savings by auctioning the land through the county attorney. Should it take time for a business to be attracted to Pulaski County, the farmland would simply be cash-rented.
The Commissioners will ultimately take action once the Pulaski County Council has approved the price point for acquiring the land near Medaryville.
