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Whitestown approves contracts with Boone County Economic Development Corporation after EDC outlines 2025 wins
Summary
The council approved two service agreements with the Boone County EDC (town and utilities side), each not to exceed $50,000, after Shelby Farthing reviewed 2025 activity including two Whitestown attraction projects that brought about 300 jobs and ~$36 million in potential investment.
Shelby Farthing, director of strategy and innovation for the Boone County Economic Development Corporation, presented the EDC’s 2025 report and 2026 priorities to the Whitestown Council. Farthing said the EDC helped attract two advanced manufacturing projects to Whitestown in 2025—Fiber Global and Ring Container Technologies—bringing about 300 jobs and roughly $36 million in potential capital investment.
Farthing reviewed the EDC’s lead-tracker, business retention and expansion work (about 23 direct leads to the EDC in 2025), a new director of business engagement position, the Ready 1.0 microgrant and microloan activity, and workforce-focused initiatives including an early-learning coalition and a planned career apprenticeship program in partnership with local school districts.
After the presentation, the council approved two expenditures to contract with Boone County EDC for professional economic development services: one from the town budget and one from the utilities budget, each described as "exceeding $25,000 but not to exceed $50,000." Both motions were recorded as carried 5-0.
Council members praised the EDC’s local outreach and business assistance work. Farthing said a retail gap analysis and a three-year strategic plan are in development for 2026 and invited council members to upcoming events and tours.
