Jefferson County Council confirms Economic Revitalization Area for part of former Jefferson Proving Ground

The Jefferson County Council voted on May 19, 2026, to confirm Resolution 2026-011, designating certain property in the unincorporated county — including portions of the former U.S. Jefferson Proving Ground — as an Economic Revitalization Area (ERA). The motion carried with six votes in favor and one abstention.

The council’s presiding officer read the confirmatory resolution, which the council described as an action to confirm an earlier declaratory resolution (Resolution 2026-010, adopted April 14). The reading cited statutory authority in Indiana Code 6-1.1-12.1-1 and related provisions explaining the ERA process and notice requirements. The council said it had published notice under Indiana Code 5-3-1 and held a public hearing on May 12, 2026.

Mr. Black, asked to explain the timing, told the council that state officials had indicated May 19 was a time-sensitive date and warned that failing to act could shift the distribution of redevelopment proceeds away from the county. "If we don't make this resolution tonight, it will be a 80/20 to the state," Mr. Black said, urging the council to preserve local fiscal opportunity to support libraries, EMS, an animal shelter and other services. The transcript does not identify which state agency provided that timeline or independently verify the described 80/20 fiscal split; the statement is reported here as Mr. Black's account to the council.

Council member Heather Foy read a prepared statement emphasizing the council’s limited decision: "This body of seven individuals is not voting for or against the data center. We are determining if the land discussed should be deemed as an economic revitalization area. This ERA does not commit us to anything," Foy said, adding that establishing an ERA preserves the county’s ability to seek funds tied to future proposals while retaining the right to vote for or against specific exceptions.

Another council member argued in favor of the designation, saying the former airfield is largely unused and that an ERA would signal to developers that the county is open for redevelopment. That speaker framed the ERA as a way to bring long-term revenue to local services and said the council should not "let these revenues slip through our fingers."

A motion to vote on Resolution 2026-011 was moved and seconded. One council member announced an abstention, stating discomfort with the perceived rushed timetable. The presiding officer announced the tally as six "yes" votes and one abstention and declared the motion carried.

There was no public comment during the special meeting; the chair noted public comment will be accepted at the June 9 regular meeting, and provided a county contact number for follow-up. The council adjourned after the vote.

What the ERA decision does and does not do: Confirming the ERA designation is a statutory step that enables the county to consider certain tax-incentive or abatement-related processes for redevelopment in the area. As Heather Foy stated during the meeting, the designation itself does not authorize any specific project or exceptions; any future agreements or tax abatement requests would require separate council consideration and votes.

Next steps: The council confirmed Resolution 2026-011 (the confirmatory resolution) and said public comment on related matters will be available at the June 9 regular meeting. The record shows a prior public hearing occurred May 12, 2026, where action was previously postponed.

(Reporting notes: direct quotes above are attributed to speakers identified in the meeting transcript. The transcript records claims about a possible 80/20 fiscal allocation between state and county if the council did not act; the identity of the state officials referenced was not specified in the transcript and that fiscal split was presented to council members as information rather than documented in the meeting record.)