Construction on a major project to enhance industrial development on Washington’s east side is winding to a close. The $10 million project includes infrastructure improvements, a new rail siding and cross-dock facility as well as a spec-building that is drawing interest from all over.
“We have already shown the building four times,” said Executive Director for the Daviess County Economic Development Corp. Ron Arnold. “We have not finished it yet because we still don’t know who the end user will be. Right now there is no floor. The type of floor that goes in will depend on what the business there wants to do.”
The spec-building covers 40,000 square feet and is expandable to 100,000 square feet.
“This building has garnered a lot more interest than I anticipated. I expect there will be a project or projects related to that building announced in the next three months,” he said.
The building is also getting firms to look at Washington for other potential projects.
“We did have one company come in, look at the building and the area and said that while the building might not be right for them, the area may be,” said Arnold. “We are still working with that company.”
The cross-dock and loading facility is also nearing completion. “There are a few rails that need to be laid to finish it off,” said Arnold. “I expect it to be finished in late May and in operation.”
Some established area businesses are already looking to take advantage of the improved rail siding and loading area. Grain Processing Corporation and Alliance Barrier Films are just two of the companies hoping to take advantage of the additional rail opportunities.
Alliance Barrier Films is located just off of the siding and has a casing in place that will eventually allow it to off-load pellets for plastic film production directly to the plant.
“The various parts of this project are generating a lot of interest,” said Arnold. “I think it will be just a matter of time before we get full utilization out of it.”