Marshall County Economic Development Corp. reports expansions, rail/intersection concerns, 300-unit Dunes project and processing plans

Greg, representing the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation, gave a quarterly report on April 14 outlining private expansions, infrastructure issues and local projects that could affect county planning and permitting.

Greg said the first quarter of 2025 "has been off to a busy start," and reported roughly $9,000,000 in capital expenditures in the last quarter tied to expansions and investment. He told the council that existing manufacturers such as Sequel Wire and Argus plan expansions at current facilities and that Argus work will require remediation of some ground and coordination with Norfolk Southern and the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) because proposed changes to U.S. 10 and State Road 31 will affect rail crossings and access.

Greg warned the council that INDOT’s 2028 work on the 10-and-31 intersection — including possible ramp and railway changes — could cut access to industrial sites if crossings are cul-de-saced or reconfigured, and that Norfolk Southern and INDOT are aware of a serious 2024 accident where ITNCo lost a high-value machine after a truck became stuck on the tracks.

He reported that UPS plans national closures that will affect a local Bourbon facility and estimated "probably 45, 50" jobs affected, though he said union officials told him positions exist elsewhere. He also said developers and local prospects have expressed interest in Bourbon’s UPS building.

On housing and downtown revitalization, Greg said a Dunes Project (mixed housing) is expected to add about 300 addresses when fully developed; units will be varied — seniors, duplexes, multifamily and single-family — but "the dunes will not have lake access" or private slips. He said the project could begin leasing units later this summer and that the development is expected to bring more year-round residents to downtown Culver and surrounding areas.

On waste and energy projects, Greg described work at Divert, a local organics processor. Divert currently separates organic material into a slurry that is hauled to anaerobic digesters; the company hopes to add a digester and eventually sell produced gas into a nearby pipeline. Separately, SDC (a die-cast manufacturer) is constructing a new facility relocated from Missouri, with steel already up and expected to be operational this summer.

Greg also clarified county development finance: he said the Marshall County Development Corporation (MCDC) helped secure funding for the county aquatic center but has "not spent any MCDC funds on the aquatic center" for building or operations. A pass-through subsidiary referenced in prior memos (abbreviated SMCDC) handled a $106,000 wire transfer from other funding; Greg said that was a pass-through and not an MCDC operating expense.

Council members thanked Greg and asked follow-up questions about jobs, timelines and remediation at industrial sites. Greg provided a number of project-specific cost and timing notes and asked the council to remain engaged on transportation and site remediation plans.