The City of Plymouth has reached a milestone in the development of a new 45,000 square foot shell building with the erection of three of the massive concrete panels, or exterior walls, of the building. Heavy construction cranes can now be seen from U.S. 30 located less than a half mile to the south. Site preparation including the leveling the building pad, installation of the sewer and water lines, and completion of the foundation preceded the placing of the concrete panels.
Marshall County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) is launching a new targeted marketing campaign to market the building in partnership with Michiana Partnership, Inc., a regional economic development organization with a specific focus on business attraction. This campaign will target the industrial real estate community through the membership of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR) and site selectors. Additional marketing with be provided through Garmong Construction, the building contractor.
According to recent statistics provided by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, 60-80 percent of businesses seeking a new site begin by looking for an existing building. Almost one-third of these businesses require a building with 50,000 square foot or less, while two-thirds require 150,000 square foot or less. The size of the new shell building with its expansion potential of up to 135,000 square foot is intended to meet this market demand while positioning Marshall County to be more competitive in attracting new businesses and jobs.
“Forward thinking initiatives such as the shell building and what it does for economic development have continued to be discussed by community leaders during the County Development for the Future discussions which began in early 2013,” stated Bill Davis, President of the MCEDC Board of Directors. “MCEDC leadership appreciates the continuing support on this project through its partners and by all those that have played a pivotal role in making this project a reality.”
Partners in the project include the City of Plymouth, the Redevelopment Commission, the Plymouth Industrial Development Corporation (PIDCO), Garmong Construction, and NIPSCO.
Construction will continue throughout the summer with an estimated completion by September 2014. Once completed, this will be the first shell building in Marshall County constructed specifically for the purposes of attracting new businesses to the County.
