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Economic development director: 36 prospects, $18M+ in known investments and public trail open house planned
Summary
EDC Director Ashley Willis told the Pike County commissioners the county logged 36 new prospects in 2025, has at least five ongoing projects rolling into 2026, expects more than $18 million in new non-energy investments and will hold a Buffalo Trace Trail open house Feb. 19.
Ashley Willis, director of Pike County Economic Development, told commissioners on Jan. 20 that 2025 brought 36 new prospects and that at least five ongoing projects carried into 2026. She reported six in‑person site visits last year and said the EDC is assisting eight startup businesses through local resources, including coordination with the Indiana Small Business Development Center and local higher-education partners.
Willis said known new non‑energy investments for 2026 exceed $18 million and that non‑energy investment commitments carried over from 2025 top $19.9 million. She highlighted housing efforts — Meadow Subdivision, Smith housing edition and Pride's Creek Apartments — and said the EDC closed on its first property in Winslow. Willis also announced a public open house for the Buffalo Trace Trail on Feb. 19 and described infrastructure work supporting a Shell building project, including completed geotechnical work for that site.
The update also stressed workforce development partnerships with Ivy Tech and Vincennes University and continued coordination with Pike County School Corporation on work-based learning programs.
