HANCOCK COUNTY – The Hancock County Redevelopment Commission (RDC) signed a resolution during an emergency meeting Thursday morning to purchase land where the Amplify Hancock education center will be built.
The RDC came together at the Commissioners and County Council meeting room to adopt and allow RDC president Kent Fisk to sign the resolution, which approves the acquisition of the property, with the total funding for purchase not to exceed $1.72 million for the 20 acres — $86,000 per acre.
Of the $1.72 million, $1.4 million will be funded by the READi grant, with $320,000 from a CDC grant. Fisk said the funds used for this purchase were held under a line item used for the purchase of park property but will be reimbursed by the READi grant and go back into that line item at a later date.
The signed resolution stated that with these funds the commission finds that it is a proper public use, will benefit the public health and welfare of citizens in the county and is “needed to encourage development of governmental/commercial/industrial property for the diversification of the Hancock County Redevelopment District’s economy and employers, all in, serving or benefiting the Areas.”
Located near CR 300N and CR 200W, the center will contain approximately 90,000 to 100,000 square feet when it opens — currently scheduled for completion in the fall of 2025 – with room for further expansion in the future. This center will hold programs for students in grades 9-12, offering opportunities such as radiology, HVAC, electric, carpentry, welding, criminal justice, medical assisting, CNA, dental careers, EMS, aviation and more. There will also be programs for adult learners, with Ivy Tech having a section of the future center.
Funding for the overall project so far has come from multiple sources and donations, including $40 million from county commissioners and the $1.4 million from the READi funds. The target budget for this project is between $42-44 million.
After the signing of the resolution, the auditor is to transfer the funds for the acquisition of the property.
Fisk said the closing will take place on April 1.
