HUNTINGBURG — Collaboration was the theme of the day at the I-69 Celebration of Innovation on Thursday at the Huntingburg Event Center.
The event, hosted by the group I-69 Innovation Corridor, highlighted the progress of the I-69 project over the last two years and included discussion about what should be done along the route aimed to link Evansville with Indianapolis; for now, I-69 stops pauses south of Bloomington.
Huntingburg Mayor Denny Spinner spoke about the importance of connecting southern Indiana to the outside world.
“We’re very proud to be considered part of the I-69 corridor. The innovation that goes along that corridor is something we all want to be a part of that can make southwestern Indiana a much better place to be,” Spinner said. “Before I was mayor, I always heard all those discussions about I-69 and people would say, ‘We need that highway so we can get to Indianapolis.’ I think it’s time to start thinking of it the other way. We need this highway so people in Indianapolis can know what’s in southwestern Indiana.”
The I-69 corridor does not pass through Dubois County but is routed to the east near Petersburg. When complete, the route will stretch from Michigan to Texas and bring opportunities for businesses and innovation, something the I-69 Innovation group says has already manifested itself in many areas over the last two years.
The celebration Thursday brought together many industry leaders who have been involved as well as government officials lauding the corridor’s success.
Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann spoke to the crowd of about 100 people via video message while she was on a business trip in San Jose, Calif. Ellspermann spoke of the three Stellar Communities along the corridor — Princeton, Bedford and Huntingburg — using them as an example of the capabilities of a more connected southwestern Indiana.
“We need to keep building on momentum — whatever we have going, we need to celebrate that,” said Tonya Brothers-Bridge, Ellspermann’s chief of staff and a fellow Dubois County native.
Taskforce chairpersons, as well as industry leaders, were given a chance to discuss progress or what they believe needs to be done in the future along a stretch of road that, right now, is bordered largely by open land and includes scattered exits.
Hank Menke, president of Huntingburg-based OFS Brands and champion of the Midstate Corridor, touted the route formerly known as I-67. The highway would be designed to more directly connect Dubois County with I-69.
Menke addressed the fact that while Huntingburg and Dubois County are considered part of the I-69 corridor, the road doesn’t actually pass through the county.
“Dubois County is a unique county,” Menke said. “There is no question that Dubois County is the best-kept secret in the state of Indiana. We’ve had seven straight years of the lowest unemployment in the state. This county, no question about it, is an economic engine down here that is just open to be tapped up.
“Having I-69 is extremely important to us and getting a connection to that. In some cases, I-69 is great. But in some cases, Dubois County and Spencer County got isolated from getting plugged in. So that’s what Midstate Corridor is all about, a small bite of what could be an interstate all the way up to the center of the state.”
Menke said he still believes the Midstate Corridor can be completed, but the road will be built in smaller segments.
“I’m pleased with where we’re going. I think we’ve made tremendous strides. You have not heard the last from Dubois County and Spencer County,” Menke said, adding that the two counties generate $500 million in taxes each year. “All we want is a little small portion of that coming back to us in terms of a road to Indianapolis. ... We’re just asking to get plugged in.”
Innovation Corridor Manager Michael Thissen said the group is pleased with the roadway’s process and progress; he noted I-69 has already made an impact in 18 counties. He acknowledged work needs to be done but said he hopes to extend the collaboration that established made the interstate happen.
“As far as our region, what we’ve focused on is how we can build our capacity to help our region. Not just the region, but the global connection from Mexico to Canada,” Thissen said. “Once that (portion of interstate) does get done to Indianapolis — and it will get done — the idea of advanced logistics and new, emerging industries in our southwest region is going to be incredible. We are that sweet spot.”
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