Construction for the Argos Manufacturing Center is underway according the Jerry Chavez, President and CEO of the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation. The building will be 50,000 sq. ft. that can be expanded up to 300,000 sq. ft. in the future. The interior will have no finishes until a tenant is secured allowing them to determine their own needs.
Chavez said, “This is the exciting part of the project as we move past the various planning sessions, negotiations and developing consensus to actually seeing the project develop before our eyes.” He continued, “This past week work began with site grading and as I understand the foundation work will begin later, perhaps next week. There is lot of dirt that has been moved.”
This project has come a long way with a lot of support behind it and Chavez wanted to thank everyone for their involvement.
Thanks go out to the County Commissioners and Council, NIPSCO, IMPA, Norfolk Southern RailRoad, and the Marshall County Community Foundation for being the initial funding partner for the Regional Cities application. Chavez said, “These partners have been involved in planning and or some initial project funding.” He also thanked INDOT for reconsidering the construction of J-Turns and Senator Randy Head, Senator Ryan Mishler, Representative Bill Friend, and Representative Jack Jordan for their support.
The Argos Town Council and Marshall County Economic Development Commission boards have come together with the Regional Development Authority and Lake City Bank to finance the building and develop an innovative economic development initiative that is sure to strengthen the local economy and grow Argos.
Chavez said, “My understanding is that this is the first project in Indiana where a community and EDC are constructing this type of building without a private developer. Actually, MCEDC is the developer, which I consider a strategic asset and benefit for the project.”
Additional thanks were given to Abonmarche, the engineer on the project, Majority Builders the general contractor for the project and to Jamie Lindstrom of Argos for being boots on the ground.
