Trine's $28 million economic development proposal advances

Trine's $28 million economic development proposal advances

 

ANGOLA — A standing-room-only crowd applauded when the Steuben County Commissioners voted this week to move forward with a $28 million economic development plan, which is being spearheaded by Trine University and endorsed by the Steuben County Economic Development Corp.

The plan calls for Steuben County to spend $13.9 million of Major Moves money it received in 2006 from the lease of the toll road, with the university matching the investment dollar-for-dollar. The money would be used to diversify the employment base, create and retain jobs, develop new business ideas and promote economic growth and innovation.

In the plan, Steuben County would work with the university to develop the Rhoads Center for Entrepreneurship, Technology Commercialization Lab, Bock Biomedical Engineering Center and the Biomechanics/Movement Sciences Center.

University officials already have been in discussion with four companies interested in a partnership with Trine University and relocating to Steuben County.

“I want to move on this energetically,” said Commissioner Mayo F. Sanders in his final meeting after 17 years of service. “I do not want to set it back and put it on the shelf. I want to see something in the next 30 to 40 days.”

Angola is in the heart of the Indiana Life Sciences Corridor, which stretches from Warsaw, Ind., to Michigan. According to a 2010 study from the Battelle and the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), “Looking to the future, the biosciences remain positioned for strong economic growth.” BIO already considers Indiana a leader in the biosciences industry. U.S. employment in the bioscience sector reached 1.42 million in 2008, a gain of 19,000 bioscience industry jobs in just one year.

“I can think back to defining moments, and this is one,” said Thomas Miller of Thomas Miller and Associates during the commissioners’ meeting. “This community is blessed and fortunate to have an opportunity unlike any other. You have resources that you can invest — not in outsiders — but in your community. By doing this, you will be able to preserve and enrich the culture and quality of life in Steuben County.”

“This plan is all about economic growth,” said Michael Bock, Trine University senior vice president. “We’re excited about the decision reached this week by the county commissioners and while we have not yet reached agreement on the level of funding, Trine University is prepared to move very aggressively to formalize our partnership as proposed.”