Dustin Johnson, President of the Argos Town Council has sent a letter to INDOT concerning the J-Turn being proposed on US 31 at State Road 10.
The letter states, “The Argos Town Council is not in favor of the J-Turn plan presented by INDOT as a long term plan. While issues of mobility and safety were noted as key factors to the presented plan, factors of economic development were surprisingly absent.” Johnson’s letter continues, “The Town has an economic development plan that centers around developing an industrial park with rail served and non-rail served property.” Argos purchased about 80 acres and with the help of the Indiana Municipal Power Agency received Shovel Ready Certification through OCRA in 2015.
Currently the Town of Argos is working in partnership with Marshall County Economic Development Corporation to construct a $2.2 million shell building. Johnson’s letter states, “So as you can now understand there are some real financial implications that will be influences by ease of travel from US Hwy 31 to the industrial park.”
The letter from the Argos Town council says the town can support a short term plan of J-Turns provided that it includes the long term solution of an interchange. The town suggests that this alternative be studies then engineered with a final step of construction through an investment by the State of Indiana.
In closing Johnson’s letter to INDOT said, “The Town of Argos will transform itself into a viable economic engine through the execution of its current economic development plan and through its willingness to invest in this plan. INDOT can have a positive influence on the success of this venture and help the State share in the economic benefits resulting from the build-out of our industrial park without sacrificing safety and mobility.”
To go along with this Marshall County Commissioners Kevin Overmyer met with the Argos Town Clerk Lisa Mullaney, council members, utility department heads, Karen Heim the Culver Town Clerk and Kim Burger the Bourbon Town Clerk on Wednesday morning.
The group agreed to begin a petition campaign to have INDOT immediately begin the necessary planning to build interchanges at US 31 and State Road 10, US 31 and 17th Road and US 31 and State Road 110.
Overmyer hopes the entire county will come together to support Argos in their opposition to the J-Turns.
Petitions will be available in the Argos Town Hall, Bourbon Town Hall, Culver Town Hall, Marshall County Auditor’s Office in the County Building and Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter’s office.
