A new shell building intended to attract manufacturing jobs to the Mitchell industrial park will commence construction following the groundbreaking ceremony held this morning. A new 50,000 square foot building suitable for a manufacturer will be constructed on a fourteen-acre parcel in the industrial park at the intersection of Doc Hamilton Blvd. and Meridian Road.
The new building is a joint venture between the City of Mitchell and the Lawrence County Redevelopment Commission. The two local government bodies have been working on the project together for over a year, following the passage of a Memorandum of Understanding that outlined their plans for collaborating. Mitchell contributed the parcel of land while the RDC is paying for the construction of the building.
Shell buildings are one of the most frequently cited methods used by economic development agencies to attract new businesses to their communities. Businesses looking to start, expand, or relocate their production capacity typically prefer to save time in their process by moving into a building that is already substantially complete; shell buildings are often specifically mentioned as options for consideration when companies send our requests for proposals to search for business growth sites.
“The City of Mitchell understands that providing this parcel of land in the industrial park is a good way to highlight the desirability of the park and the City for business growth,” remarked Mitch Mayor Don Caudell. “We believe that business leaders appreciate seeing this example of local government collaboration to support the local business community.”
“The County Redevelopment Commission felt very strongly that the relationship of the Heidelberg plant to the Mitchell economy and history was a powerful reason to target Mitchell to receive this first major project to be funded through the Heidelberg TIF,” said RDC member Scott Smith, the former County Council president. “We know that Mitchell offers a good opportunity for companies to grow in.”
The building will be marketed by the Lawrence County Economic Growth Council. Construction is being managed by GM Development, an Indiana-based firm. Runnebohm Construction of Shelbyville is the contractor.