Daviess County Council adopts declaratory resolution for Momentum Services site at Westgate

Daviess County Council voted to adopt a declaratory resolution designating a parcel near Southeast State Road 558 and 1400 East in Odon as an economic revitalization area for Momentum Services, a step that begins the local tax-abatement process under Indiana law.

The resolution, read aloud at the meeting, states the council’s finding that the real estate “has become undesirable for normal development and occupancy due to a lack of development or other factors” and that designating the site as an economic revitalization area would “enhance the opportunity for the creation of new jobs and investment.” The resolution cites Indiana Code 6-1.1-12.1-1 and requires public notice and a subsequent confirmatory hearing under Indiana Code 5-3-1 before final action.

Jacob Savage, project manager for Momentum Services, told the council the company remains in the design phase and has submitted a 60% design deliverable. “We are still in the design phase. We recently submitted our 60% design deliverable,” Savage said, and added that the team expects a 75% design submittal in about six weeks followed by 90% and 100% milestones. He said the Momentum design team is coordinating with an in-house Colorado team and the vendor supplying government-furnished equipment.

Savage also said Momentum has begun regulatory outreach. “We’ve already initiated our talks with the state to apply for our registration with the state of Indiana, as well as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. We’ve already initiated our conversations with them to apply for our 10 CFR 30 byproduct license,” he said. Savage said tree clearing had begun on the parcel during the week of the meeting.

A council member asked whether the site would be fenced or otherwise secured to keep the general public out; the developer representatives did not provide a detailed site-security plan in the meeting record. The resolution and the public-notice language require a date for a public hearing and notification of taxing units at least 10 days prior to that hearing; the council indicated a confirmatory step will follow the hearing.

Votes at a glance - Declaratory resolution designating the Momentum Services site as an economic revitalization area: motion to accept as read (mover: Tony, seconder: Matt); council voice vote recorded as “Aye,” motion carries. - Sheriff’s Office: additional appropriation of $2,500 to replenish fugitive-fund spending (approved; motion made and seconded; voice vote recorded as “Aye”). - Ambulance contract: commissioners asked to appropriate an additional $200,000 for DCH ambulance contract as previously approved by commissioners on Jan. 28, 2025 (approved; motion made and seconded; voice vote recorded as “Aye”). - Superior Court: request for expert-fee funding for competency and related evaluations (approved; motion made and seconded; voice vote recorded as “Aye”). - County general: two December claims for office supplies (approved; motion made and seconded; voice vote recorded as “Aye”). - AED purchase via Health First Indiana grant (request for $4,874.88): motion to table to gather details on maintenance/recertification and responsible agency (motion to table seconded and carried). - Health department: appropriation of remaining grant funds for communicable disease testing ($10,009.59) (approved; motion made and seconded; voice vote recorded as “Aye”).

Why it matters: The declaratory resolution does not by itself grant tax abatement but starts a formal local process under state statute that can lead to property- or personal-property tax incentives if the council later confirms the designation after a public hearing. The company’s statements about design progress and regulatory steps indicate the project is advancing through permitting and site-preparation milestones.

Next steps and context: The resolution requires publication of notice and a public hearing; after hearing objections and evidence, the council will take final action to confirm, modify or rescind the designation. Momentum’s project updates at the meeting noted regulatory filings with the state and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (10 CFR 30) and ongoing design work, but no final licensing or site-security commitments were recorded in the council’s minutes. Separate remarks during the meeting also described regional economic activity near the Westgate Technology Park, including other private projects and a planned April 10 site tour for local officials.

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