Some good economic news very well may be on Henry County’s horizon.
New Castle-Henry County Economic Development Corp. president Corey Murphy told the Henry County Commissioners Wednesday that strong interest continues in a 64-acre site on County Road 400 S by a company that wishes to remain anonymous.
The firm is in the food preparation business. It could bring as many as 250 jobs and construct a 145,000 square-feet facility.
Murphy said this potential project is in the preliminary discussion phase and requested the commissioners consider an executive session at 5 p.m. Aug. 5 so details regarding this development could be further explored.
“We’re having conversations with a prospective client and they’ve brought up issues that are important to them that could require future action by the county commissioners,” Murphy said. “Based on that, we wanted to host an executive session so the commissioners could learn more about the project and then, if deemed appropriate at a future public meeting, take action.”
The commissioners agreed to Murphy’s request and will host an executive session, which is not open to the public.
This project received an additional boost Thursday when the Henry County Redevelopment Commission voted to approve an option to purchase 1.276 acres of land and a house located on it at 389 East County Road 400 S. The house is occupied by Lucinda Kirby and the site is basically surrounded by the developing industrial park.
Murphy said the option to buy, if the firm expressing an interest in locating here gives that idea the green light, is important.
“The RDC today took steps to convey to a potential prospect that we are willing to accommodate their requests and help raise their comfort level so they’ll make the final decision to invest here. This will enhance the marketability of our industrial park ... if, in fact, we choose to exercise that option,” he said.
More news regarding whether or not this potential new business is going to locate in Henry County is expected sometime after the Aug. 5 executive session.
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