By TOSHUA E. PHILLIPS, Herald Bulletin
What are now wide open spaces and some occupied farm houses in Anderson will soon become the industrial site of Nestle Corp.’s beverage-product plant.
Nestle will plant chocolate roots for Nesquik Ready-to-Drink and Coffee-Mate in the 4300 to 4600 blocks of West 73rd Street (also known as County Road 450 South) — directly south from Carter Logistics and Dukes.
A secondary plat — the step in creating Nestle property lines, easements, and building setbacks — was approved by Anderson Plan Commission Monday, the day of Nestle’s official announcement to erect about a 900-square-foot factory and distribution center.
“This will be a grand investment into our community,” said Municipal Development Director Michael Widing regarding Nestle.
Of the 306 acres of The Flagship West, Nestle is taking about two-thirds. For the infrastructure, 73rd Street will be extended to the west to tie into Layton Road.
There will be 8.581 acres designated as a railroad spur on the east side of the plant.
For construction to get under way this year, several residents had to give up their farm homes or land at a price.
Cynthia J. Bennett, an affected Layton Road (County Road 400 West) resident, was packing bags for a move Monday. She said she signed a confidentiality agreement and could not discuss the terms of the deal with the city buying her property.
The city annexed the area in February, and the commission approved it for industrial use that same month.
A primary plat was approved by the commission May 23.
“It is indeed a very significant first step forward, and we hope there are many more to come,” said Bob Schuler, president of Anderson Plan Commission.