Corey Murphy presented a photo along with his usual business during the Economic Development Corp. update at the Henry County Council meeting Oct. 28.
It was a photo of the Industrial Park in New Castle. Brooks Drive and East County Road 400 South, to be exact, including TS Tech’s Expansion, the new Shell Building and Boars Head.
“The EDC appreciates the council’s and county commissioners role in the efforts of what goings on out there,” EDC President and CEO Murphy said. “It shows a nice overview of our target industry in the county. Preppy Puppy Bakery moved in, along with Boars Head and others. There’s over 30 food companies in the surrounding area. Our target industry is food processing.”
Murphy also announced the tourism brand for Henry County that the EDC officially launched a couple weeks ago. The EDC showed the new logo to the surrounding High School basketball teams.
Murphy said, “Every high school gym will have this in their facility, (and) partnership dollars as well, which is a great way to partner with schools.
Murphy told the council the EDC knows there is more to Henry County than basketball.
“Parks, Trails, and museums, along with many other wonderful things in Henry County,” he said.
Councilwoman Betsy Mills commented on the brand launch. She gave Murphy and his team congratulations on the launch.
“It was very exciting, I was able to speak for a few minutes with Governor Eric Holcomb,” Mills said. “I got a chance to show him the logo. He was excited and interested in it.”
Murphy then gave an update on the Regional Economic Acceleration Development Initiative (READI).
The New Castle-Henry County EDC is still awaiting further instructions from the state, he said.
“There will be a presentation by all regions to the State. We decided to highlight our projects in a compelling way in order to get funding from the state. We are proud of the product we came up with,” Murphy finished.
New I-70 exit?
State Representative Tom Saunders (R-Lewisville) was in attendance at Thursday’s county council meeting, as well.
He wanted to address the idea of the interstate exchanges in Henry County. As well as the possibility of adding another one on State Road 103.
New Castle City Councilman Jerry Walden presented the idea to the Henry County Commissioners in September.
Councilman Brings I-70/SR 103 Project to Commissioners
Saunders told the county council he would rather try to improve the three interstate exchanges that Henry County has rather than looking to add another one.
Henry County’s current Interstate 70 exits are at Knightstown, Spiceland and New Lisbon.
– Story by Dakota Locker (DLocker@TheCourierTimes.com) of The Courier-Times. Read more local stories at TheCourierTimes.com.