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Economic Development Corporation outlines land sales, workforce and Westgate projects in quarterly update
Summary
Bob Gerwey, representing the local EDC, briefed commissioners on recent land sales, potential developments at Exit 76 and Westgate, brownfield remediation needs at the Tokheim site, workforce initiatives, and downtown/tourism efforts; the update was informational and no county action was required.
Bob Gerwey presented the economic development quarterly update to the Daviess County commissioners, outlining recent transactions, ongoing projects, and workforce and quality-of-life efforts intended to support business retention and attraction.
Key items in the update included the completed sale of 6 acres to M and C Tech; engagement with a developer who bought 2.3 acres at Exit 76 for a service-station convenience project near North Daviess High School; continued work on Westgate projects (including Kratos and Momentum) for which county council has granted tax abatements; and plans to revisit the Tokheim brownfield site on the west side of Washington, where a concrete slab must be removed to allow further environmental analysis.
Gerwey described outreach to site selectors and brokers, work with academic partners on downtown storefront strategies, and programs aimed at workforce development: a countywide job fair, an IT coding academy, an HR roundtable, and regional programs such as Make My Move that offer relocation stipends. He also reported on efforts to address dilapidated properties and signage at Westgate, potential hangar relocation at the airport once storage use finishes, and a local arts council grant obtained from the Indiana Arts Council.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about drainage and infrastructure at Exit 76 and about coordination with towns pursuing sewer projects. Gerwey said the EDC’s role is chiefly to connect local governments with resources and consultants rather than to provide engineering directly.
The presentation was accepted as an informational update; no formal board action was requested or taken.
