City Attorney Sean Surrisi requested approval of a high speed rail memorandum or “handshake” that while does not tie Plymouth down to any contracts or deals yet for the proposed high speed passenger train project, shows their interest in the possibility of the project.
Proposed by the Northeast Indiana Passenger Rail Association (NIPRA) the high speed train will have 12 trains stop each way a day stretching from Chicago, Illinois all the way to Columbus, Ohio. The project is in its very early stages.
Once the environmental impact studies have been completed through Illinois and Indiana, a $2.5 million cost, it will be easier for NIPRA to begin applying for federal grants once the phase one study has been completed. Federal grant monies will account for 80 percent of the funding of the project. Close to $600,000 have been raised in Indiana and Ohio for the study, which requires 18 months of work.
Culver Academies has agreed to donate $10,000 to the project.
Jerry Chavez, executive director for the Marshall County Economic Development Corp., spoke for two companies who want to expand economic revitalization on the community.
AK Industries, Inc, has operated in Plymouth since 1981, undergoing three expansions in 1991, 2000, 2004, and additional one in 2013. President John Sabo appeared at the meeting to address the board. The company, among other things, manufactures fiberglass lift stations. Their request concerns Resolution 2014-619.
“If you look at the course of expansions this company has experienced, we’ve seen some growth. Today this company employs over 90 employees,” said Chavez.
The scope of the project is to purchase $320,000 worth of equipment that would allow AK Industries to continue being competitive in the market by manufacturing larger lift stations per the growing requests of their customers.
The board approved AK Industries ordinance request.
Chavez also represented Composite Technology Assemblies, LLC, also requesting that their property, like AK Industries, Inc, be declared an economic revitalization area in resolution 2014-621.
Composite Technology Assemblies project requires $4.2 million, as well as $400,000 for the purchase of a building for the growth of the company.
“It’s taking a building, purchasing that building, and starting a rate of return,” said Chavez.
The company has been in Plymouth for five years, employing over 80 individuals with a growth rate of 20 percent per year.
The board approved the resolution.
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