By FRED SWIFT
The County Line
The City of Noblesville in recent days has announced plans to build three speculative business buildings for yet to be found corporations wanting to locate in the city. The facilities are to be built in the far-southeastern part of the city at a cost of $50 million, although the Indianapolis Business Journal said the cost will be more like $70 million.
City officials are seemingly “betting on the come,” and in the current economic climate of the area it is probably a pretty safe bet. But, the plan still raises questions that need to be answered.
One question would be: Is it government’s duty to build such facilities or should this be market-driven by the private sector? The idea, of course, is to bring jobs to the community. The concept is not Noblesville’s alone. Other cities have done such projects. But, the idea is especially relevant for economically distressed communities such as Anderson, Marion or others where jobs and tax revenue are needed.
Hamilton County is not distressed. We have nearly full employment and new firms are regularly coming to the area. The local tax revenue is quite adequate to provide needed public services without continually raising property taxes.
Has the city administration studied what the influx of hundreds of new families will mean on existing utilities, roads and schools? Who will pay for expansion of this infrastructure when needed?
We should not be anti-growth, but we have a lot of natural growth without luring more. In the meantime, hopefully the city will remain focused on current needs such as completion of the State Road 37 upgrade, a bypass, downtown parking, riverfront development and an adequate new police headquarters.
I agree. Tax abatements and infrastructure assistance should be considered with the ‘right’ speculative new company (s). If N’ville wants to ensure certain types of development, then zone the areas accordingly…just don’t get in the commercial/industrial real estate business.