ORLAND — Orland’s new industrial park has been certified by the state.
Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs held a ribbon cutting with local and state officials Friday on Maple Street. It is Orland’s first certified industrial site and the third in the county. Fremont and Hudson have similar parks.
Orland was congratulated by Bill Konyha, OCRA executive director.
“I’m amazed by what Orland has accomplished,” Konyha said. “You’ve pieced together this industrial park.”
Konyha said by having the park, Orland is ready to address the workforce in cooperation with other entities.
“Site selectors don’t choose sites — they eliminate them,” he said.
“In this part of the state … there’s so much cooperation. It is a shining example to the state. There’s no mystery why there’s so much employment.”
Konyah said the park will benefit the whole county and region.
“It’s up to David to make sure it doesn’t stay empty,” Konyah said jokingly about Dave Koenig, Steuben County Economic Development Corp. executive director.
Seven buildings are occupied in the Orland park, with 23 more acres available to other companies.
On another note, it took eight years, but the West Maple Street extension to S.R. 120 is complete, making it easier for traffic to loop through the industrial complex.
“Sometimes, through the fruits of labor … efforts come to fruition. It hit every glitch,” Koenig said.
Connie Boocher, Orland Town Council president, said the extension will benefit the whole town.
“This is a good use for semis and keeping them off the four-way stop,” Boocher said, noting the street also has a narrow curve for trucks to maneuver.
Steuben County Engineer Jen Sharkey said the project’s construction was $510,000, with $175,000 of that coming from the Indiana Economic Development Corp. and the rest from Major Moves funding, coming from lease of the Indiana Toll Road.