Kosciusko County approves $350,000 TIF allocation for Old 30 improvements ahead of Slate Automotive opening

The Kosciusko County Redevelopment Commission voted unanimously at its meeting to allocate $350,000 from the Old 30 tax-increment finance (TIF) district to widen and improve Old 30 in the area of the former LSC Donnelley plant, where Slate Automotive plans to locate.

The commission approved the request after Highway Department staff described traffic and safety concerns tied to the expected volume of trucks and employees traveling to the site. Highway Department staff requested the funds to add turn lanes, upgraded striping (including epoxy markings), temporary traffic-control signals and related work; the request included a $100,000 contingency for potential overruns.

Why it matters: Commission members said the improvement would serve both new industrial traffic and recreational and school-related users — including the CCAC complex and a nearby multiuse trail — and would be funded from a TIF district that benefits from new development. Highway staff said the Old 30 TIF fund has an available balance sufficient to cover the request.

Highway Department presentation and rationale

Steve (Highway Department) outlined the project and the timing constraints tied to nearby construction and the summer season. He said a recent change in state law — House Bill 1461 — raises the in-house work threshold from $250,000 to $375,000 effective July 1, enabling the county to perform more of the work with county crews. He asked the commission to allow use of TIF dollars so the county could move quickly and perform much of the work with its own forces.

“By doing it with our own forces, yes, timing is going to be of the essence,” Steve said during the presentation, and described plans for two additional turn lanes, upgraded striping and temporary traffic control to keep Old 30 open during work. He also said the Old 30 TIF balance is $412,892 and characterized the requested amount as recoverable as Slate and other vendors locate and the tax base grows.

Project scope and traffic estimates

Staff said the scope focuses on the Old 30 corridor in front of the future Slate Automotive campus and the adjacent CCAC sports complex. Commission discussion cited projections that Slate’s campus could employ between 1,800 and 2,000 people across multiple shifts; staff said that could mean hundreds of vehicles arriving and departing during shift changes. The project list included: adding turn lanes north and south of the corridor, stone and fabric base work, epoxy striping to improve night visibility, and temporary traffic signals to keep lanes open while crews work.

Votes at a glance

- Allocate $350,000 from Old 30 TIF for roadway and safety improvements (including $100,000 contingency): approved (voice vote; all in favor said “Aye”; tallies not recorded). - Approve minutes from the January meeting: approved (voice vote). - Accept certification letter to county council under IC 36-7-14-39 (no excess assessed value for 2025 payable 2026): approved (voice vote).

Implementation and next steps

Commissioners approved the funding request without recorded roll-call tallies. Highway staff said the work is planned after the county’s chip-and-seal program (timing after July 1, weather permitting) and that the county will provide photos and progress updates to the commission. Staff also noted the county will monitor adjacent intersections and roundabouts and make additional adjustments if traffic patterns require them once Slate and other nearby developments are operating.

Clarifying details repeated in the meeting

- Amount requested: $350,000, including a $100,000 overrun contingency. - Old 30 TIF fund balance stated in the meeting: $412,892.29. - State bill cited: House Bill 1461, described in the meeting as raising the in-house work threshold from $250,000 to $375,000 effective July 1. - Staffing/construction timing: county crews would perform much of the work; striping specified to use epoxy for durability and nighttime visibility; temporary traffic-control signals would keep the road open during construction.

Ending note

Commissioners asked staff to return with photos and progress updates as construction proceeds and to watch for any needed intersection changes as traffic patterns evolve with the new development.