Hendricks County Council backs Hyster-Yale's $65M Project Lift in Avon

Hendricks County Council members on Feb. 17 unanimously adopted Resolution 2026-04 expressing the council's favorable support for Project Lift, Hyster-Yale's planned $65 million forklift and container-handling facility in the Town of Avon.

Rhonda Cook, the council's legal counsel, read Resolution 2026-04 into the record. The resolution records Hyster-Yale's stated intention to invest $65,000,000 and to create approximately 350 new jobs in Avon and pledges council support for coordinating county programs and potential grant assistance. John Taylor, interim director of the Hendricks County Economic Development Partnership, and a representative from Hyster-Yale described aspects of the project and plans for a product theater or viewing center.

During discussion, council member Eric Wathen proposed exploring a $350,000 grant program to support Hyster-Yale's training needs; Wathen made the motion to adopt the resolution, David Cox seconded, and the council approved the resolution 6-0. The resolution states the council will continue discussions about company needs, monetary or otherwise, and coordinate with the commissioners to consider county programs that may provide grant assistance to Project Lift and other county development efforts.

The council record does not specify the source of funds for any potential grant; the motion before the council at this meeting was adoption of the resolution of support rather than approval of grant funding. Further steps, including any formal grant program design, funding source identification and intergovernmental coordination, were left for future meetings.