Nonstop projects, nonstop growth in Hamilton County

Submitted by Noblesville Chamber of Commerce

Collaboration and growth were the themes as Hamilton County Commissioner Steve Dillinger presented his annual State of the County address on Wednesday to over 500 Noblesville Chamber of Commerce members at Embassy Suites. “A County United – Doing the Right Things for the Right Reasons” shared how the county was working with municipalities and the state to better serve the citizens and guests of Hamilton County.

Dillinger

“That doesn’t mean we always get along, but we all have the intention of making Hamilton County the best we can,” Dillinger said. “I believe the projects we are working on and the end results show that.”

On behalf of the County Commissioners, Dillinger has presented the State of the County for 36 years to the Noblesville Chamber.

DuBois

“We thank Commissioner Dillinger and appreciate his steadfast dedication to keeping our members informed about Hamilton County,” Noblesville Chamber President Bob DuBois said. “As the county seat, we have a special responsibility to help foster a better understanding of the projects in and around Noblesville. Commissioners Dillinger, Altman and Heirbrandt provide an understanding of how the county is growing, where it’s going and how the government is serving the people of Noblesville and Hamilton County.”

Public Safety was a key topic during Dillinger’s speech, including new roles and titles for those overseeing the departments: Executive Director of Emergency Operations Chad Knecht, Director of Emergency Management Ryan Tennessen, and Director of Public Safety Communications (911) Larken Uhrick.

The Hamilton County Public Safety Training Center, located off River Road, includes a gun range, fire training site, the future coroner’s office, and buildings for police, fire, and emergency management. The area currently has a man-made lake for water training exercises. Dillinger said it will be utilized by all local first responders. Construction will begin in October and is anticipated to be completed by fall 2027.

The new county E911 Center project began last summer and is expected to open in 2027. The vital hub for 911 dispatch and emergency operations in Hamilton County is located across State Road 37 from the Sheriff’s Office Complex. Dillinger said the facility will withstand high winds and a tornado to ensure 911 stays active throughout severe weather.

The Rely Center will be located on Aspire Indiana Health’s campus and will address urgent mental health, substance use, and psychiatric crises. The center will open this fall.

“Residents experiencing mental health crises or have attempted suicide are either taken to jail or to Riverview Health hospital,” Dillinger said. “These facilities are not equipped to take care of these types of mental health issues at the capacity that is needed.”

During his speech, Dillinger addressed major infrastructure and capital improvement projects taking place:

• The State Road 37 improvement project is nearing completion for the southern portion. Dillinger shared that the 141^st Street interchange is expected to be completed by spring 2026 and traffic is being maintained on SR 37 during construction.
• Construction on the 146th Street and Allisonville Road interchange began in spring 2023. The project is nearing the final phases and will be completed this fall, removing a stoplight and creating a free-flowing intersection of two major roadways.
• Following the completion of Allisonville Road, Hamilton County will make additional traffic and safety improvements west along 146th Street. Dillinger shared that the county has identified the intersections of Hazel Dell Parkway, Gray Road, and Carey Road. Similar to Allisonville Road, the county will eliminate the stoplight with an overpass and roundabout underneath at Hazel Dell. This project will begin next summer and is expected to be completed in the late fall of 2028. “Each of the other intersections will be alike when we move west,” Dillinger said.
• Reimagine Pleasant Street, a joint effort with the City of Noblesville, has entered its third year of construction. The county was the American Council of Engineering Companies Engineering Award Winner and Honors Award finalist for the new bridge across the White River. It was part of Phase 1, which opened to traffic in September. Phases 2 and 3 are underway and will extend Pleasant Street west to State Road 32 and Hague Road, and east to Clover Road.
• The Hamilton County Judicial Center will be expanded starting this fall. The $65 million project is expected to be completed in spring 2028 and is needed to add up to eight new courtrooms due to the growth of the county.
• The 4-H Fairgrounds has a $65 million master plan. Phase 1 replaced the O.V. Winks and Annex buildings, which were torn down due to the Pleasant Street project, with the new Bicentennial Pavilion which is expected to open later this year. The Llama Barn added a warming kitchen, restrooms, and upgraded air movement system, and new flooring and audio and visual equipment were installed in the Exhibition Hall.
• A new headquarters will be built for Hamilton County Parks within Morse Park. While the project is in preliminary stages, it will replace the existing bathhouse along Morse Reservoir.
• The former Humane Society for Hamilton County building was remodeled and now houses three vital county departments under one roof – Household Hazardous Waste, Soil and Water Conservation District, and Weights and Measures. After a year of construction, the building opened in May.
• Working in partnership with Prevail, Inc., the county has plans to build a Domestic Violence Center. While there is no current construction start date, Hamilton County has purchased nine acres of land off State Road 38 near Hague Road to build the center. “There are currently no emergency shelters located in Hamilton County,” Dillinger said. “Children are often sent to Madison or Marion counties. That’s not acceptable for Hamilton County so we are trying to correct that problem.”
• The county has plans to create a Child Care Center at the current Parks Department/Coroner’s Office location. Dillinger said the center will be for county employees as an attraction to young, growing families.

Under the guidance of the Hamilton County Council, Dillinger said the county property tax rate is the sixth-lowest in the state. Hamilton County also is the first and only county in Indiana to receive a AAA bond rating, which represents the highest possible creditworthiness for a bond.

Those interested in watching Dillinger’s complete speech may visit hctv1.com.

About the Noblesville Chamber of Commerce
For the past 90 years, the Noblesville Chamber of Commerce is the pipeline that connects members to decision makers, government officials, customers and peers, networks, advocacy groups, and community partners. The chamber’s mission is to cultivate, foster, and achieve a healthy economic environment for its members and the community. The Chamber acts as a catalyst for growth, conveners of leaders and learners, connectors to information and resources, and champions of a vibrant business community. For more information, visit NoblesvilleChamber.com.