Toyota considering parts distribution center in New Albany

Preliminary plans for the more than 20-acre development were approved by the New Albany Plan Commission on Tuesday. The New Albany engineering firm Jacobi, Toombs and Lanz represented a developer who is pursuing the project on behalf of Toyota.

They didn’t provide a timeline as to when construction could begin if Toyota chooses New Albany for the distribution center, which could bring up to 30 jobs during the first phase.

While officials said the deal isn’t complete, Mayor Jeff Gahan was optimistic about the city’s prospects for bringing Toyota to New Albany.

“We’re pursuing it as aggressively as we possibly can,” he said Tuesday following the plan commission vote. Toyota “wouldn’t be in this process unless they were giving us a serious look and serious consideration.”

Gahan added he can’t confirm when the project would start, or when Toyota will make a decision.

The facility would be located at the intersection Reas Lane and Durgee Road inside Grant Line West, which is near Security Parkway.

The first phase of the project would include a 62,000 square-foot distribution center with terminals for semitrailers to dock and load tools and inventory. The second phase, according to Josh Darby of Jacobi, Toombs and Lanz, would bring a second distribution center of almost equal size to the industrial park.

Obviously the industrial park is zoned for industrial use, but the city required a preliminary plan review for both phases of the project.

“The use itself is allowed by right,” said New Albany Chief Planner Krisjans Streips.

Preliminary indications are that the jobs could pay $15 an hour or more to start, and that more positions would be added if the second distribution center is constructed, Gahan said.

The initial phase of Grant Line West was completed last year on property donated to the city. The first phase of the park was developed in part through a $1.7 million federal grant, which covered half of the construction costs for the 20-acre tract.

Kemper Foods International had planned on occupying most of the park, but decided against expanding its New Albany plant.

If the Toyota facility comes to fruition, Gahan said the city would seriously explore expanding Grant Line West and developing another 20 acres at the site.

“We’re seeing signs all over that the economy seems to be picking up a little bit, and that seems to be exciting for everyone,” he said. “At the same time, we all have to remember that these are all competitive situations.”

It’s important to create opportunities to put New Albany in a fertile position for economic development, Gahan continued. Communities around the country are competing to gain companies like Toyota, he said.

“”We’re fortunate that we have some really great workers here in New Albany, and I know they’d do a super job for Toyota,” Gahan said. “I think it would be a good fit for everyone.”

He credited One Southern Indiana for assisting the city in attracting Toyota’s consideration of Grant Line West.

“They’ve been involved with the process along the whole way, and they’ve been key,” Gahan said.