“Laying the Foundation for Growth” – Rochester Industrial Park & Infrastructure Upgrades Groundbreaking
The City of Rochester hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on September 16th to launch the Industrial Park & Infrastructure Upgrades Project. This is a $20+ million investment in water, wastewater, and infrastructure improvements that will drive growth across Fulton, Cass, and Miami Counties. The Industrial Park’s official name, “Chamberlain Commercial Park,” was unveiled by Mayor Trent Odell.
Special dignitaries included:
- City of Rochester Mayor Trent Odell
- Indiana State Senator Stacey Donato
- Darren Vogt, Office of Senator Jim Banks
- Courtney Papa, Office of Senator Todd Young
- Griffin Nate, Office of Congressman Rudy Yakym
- Camille Meiners, Indiana Finance Authority State Revolving Loan Fund (SRF)
- Steven Ray, North Central Indiana Regional Planning Council (NCIRPC)
- Jim Rawlinson, Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI)
- Eric Walsh, Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors
- Pastor Jim Howard, Heartland Church
- Jana Vance, Rochester Community School Corporation
- Beth Stocking, City of Rochester Clerk Treasurer
- Marcus Halterman, City of Rochester Wastewater Superintendent
- Derrick Holloway, City of Rochester Water Superintendent
This IFA/READI2 project encompasses major upgrades to the City’s water distribution system and the expansion of Water and Wastewater services to a new Industrial Park to enhance commercial and residential development. The project is made possible by the partnership of IEDC, the Indiana Finance Authority, Fulton County, FEDCO, NCIRPC, the City of Rochester, and through the collaborative effort of public leaders and private investors eager to build the critical infrastructure needed to propel smart development.
The IFA’s investment of $16M, through the State Revolving Fund, includes upgrades of water mains, installation of a new 750,000-gallon elevated storage tank, 39 new hydrants to improve fire safety, and the removal of lead-contaminated service lines in targeted City neighborhoods. And thanks to the investment of an additional $5M from READI2 and the City, the project also extends Water and Wastewater lines to a new Industrial Park located along U.S. 31 to serve the area’s commercial growth.
In addition to this public investment, the Industrial Park project is expected to generate a total investment of more than $26M in Fulton County and the neighboring counties of Cass and Miami. This investment builds upon the State of Indiana’s $300M investment in the US 31 Project, aimed at enhancing economic development in North Central Indiana through major road upgrades.