Out of concern for what it feels is misinformation and misunderstanding in the public, the Tipton County Economic Development Organization distributed a press released Monday afternoon to provide some facts on the ongoing expansion efforts by Functional Devices near the Prairie Acres subdivision.
“We wanted to set the record straight,” said TCEDO Executive Director Jeff Sheridan. “I would describe [the reason for the misinformation] as a combination of the scuttlebutt and rumors that you hear at the restaurant in the morning and letters to the editor.”
Sheridan explained Functional Devices’ proposed expansion is consistent with the land use plan and development chapter of the recently adopted County Comprehensive Plan, which states “Development should be encouraged where commercial and light industrial uses are already taking hold and infrastructure is already provided or can be readily extended. These target areas include portions of the U.S. 31 Route corridor surrounding the Ind. 28 intersection as well as the northern portion of the corridor to the west of Sharpsville near county road 550 North.”
The press release also added that the growth and development framework map within that chapter designates either side of U.S. 31 near 550 North and 600 North, the east side being the location of Functional Devices, as a U.S. 31 development node.
Sheridan said that per an Aug. 5 letter from Tipton County Plan Commission Executive Director Kevin Tolloty, Functional Devices is in compliance with the commitments associated with the 2012 rezoning of 101 Commerce Drive.
“Functional Devices consolidating their operating in Tipton not only brings significant private investment but 75 to 100 new jobs to the area,” Sheridan said in the release. “Even more importantly, once they are here with all operations in the community all of the job growth the company experiences from here on out will be opportunities for Tipton County residents to work in Tipton County.”
As was discussed at the Board of Zoning Appeals meeting on Aug. 11, the release reiterated that Functional Devices requested no tax abatements for its proposed expansion project, rather asking that the increased tax revenue go towards infrastructure improvements needed for things like roads in the area.
“Were it not for Functional Devices reoccupying the former Miller Furniture building the likelihood of it being otherwise utilized is very slight,” Sheridan said. “It would more likely sit vacant with little motivation to maintain it or the vacant lots directly to the south of it. That’s an alternative that is far more likely to result in a negative impact to property values in the immediate area.
“If anyone other than the Functional Devices ownership had acquired the former Dirt and Turf building, the owner could have utilized it for anything from a small retail operation, to a drive thru, a barber or beauty shop or laundromat or even a motel without any additional zoning or variance,” he added. “All options that could result in even greater traffic flow in the Prairie Acres subdivision.”