Allen County Redevelopment Commission outlines 2024 activity, ongoing projects including TIF-funded warehouse and road work

Alyssa Magali, director of redevelopment, presented the Allen County Redevelopment Commission's 2024 annual report to the Allen County Council on March 12, saying the commission met statutory requirements to file the report and to present it at a public meeting.

The report, Magali said, highlighted new and active projects supported with tax increment financing (TIF) and other commission funds. "The Commission established a new economic development area and an allocation area ... about 16.42 acres," Magali said, referring to a district off Airport Expressway created to support a 30,000-square-foot shell building being developed by Logan Properties. Construction is underway on that building, she said, and the Allen County Board of Commissioners agreed to reimburse carrying costs on the construction loan for up to three years.

The presentation also described a Van Eerden Food Service project in the Smith Dauman Economic Development Area: the company plans a 180,000-square-foot temperature-controlled warehouse, a planned investment of more than $60,000,000 and an estimated 110 jobs. Magali said the Redevelopment Commission approved a TIF reimbursement agreement and a tax abatement request for that project and agreed to reimburse up to 70% of certain public infrastructure costs, including new water and sanitary sewer lines and turn-lane improvements.

Magali outlined the commission's longer-range projects and partnerships. The commission has contracted with GAI Consultants for design work on improvements to Pleasant Center Road, and the Highway Department submitted a federal grant request through the Indiana Department of Transportation for two phases of improvements: Phase 1 would add a single-lane roundabout at Tilly Road and stormwater work; Phase 2 would widen and reconstruct Pleasant Center Road, add curbs and gutters, and install storm sewers. Magali said the commission is also exploring public-infrastructure support for the Tom Henry Industrial Park and opportunities near the Stonebridge Business Park.

Magali provided consolidated budget figures for Redevelopment operations and TIF funds in 2024: the commission received about $4,300,000 in tax increment across its allocation areas, spent about $2,700,000, and recorded just over $312,000 in interest income. She said the commission oversees 24 economic development areas and 30 allocation areas, with 26 funds set up to collect property tax increment; the 2025 commission budget lists 18 funds with budgeted amounts.

Council members asked about the commission's fund balances and outlook for 2025; Magali called the outlook "cautiously optimistic" and said the commission would continue partnering with developers and local agencies while watching state and federal funding decisions. She also noted the 2023 Indiana General Assembly created a requirement, effective January 2024, that annual redevelopment reports be presented to county council at a public meeting and that the commission now must submit a spending plan by Dec. 1 each year.

Magali named the commission's 2024 membership, including appointees and officers, and said monthly meetings are scheduled on the second Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.; July meetings will be video-streamed with assistance from the Allen County Public Library.

For readers tracking local development, the presentation signaled active private investment supported by TIF and coordinated infrastructure planning with county departments and state grant programs. The commission's report and supporting documents were distributed in the council packet for further review.