Land being bought up - but noone knows why? Odd story

[salin]

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/news/local/14345369.htm

Southeastern Indiana residents wonder about land buy
Associated Press

GREENSBURG, Ind. - Residents in two southeastern Indiana communities are awaiting word whether they will be the home to a new, massive industrial development that could bring hundreds of jobs.

Lawyers representing an unnamed company sent letters to dozens of Decatur and Ripley county landowners this month offering to buy their property at 75 percent more than its assessed value, officials said.

snip

The company is eyeing up to 2,000 acres in both Greensburg and Batesville, The Indianapolis Star reported. Both communities lie along I-74 between Indianapolis and Cincinnati and have access to a rail line.

What the business is and what its plans are for the land remain a mystery.

"It's a great secret," said Greensburg Mayor Frank Manus, who learned of the project - but none of the details - from Gov. Mitch Daniels.

...more....

Sounds mysterious.... any ideas?

[DemonGoddess]

1. not a clue on this one

plus, unsure exactly where they're trying to land grab around here, yet....other than that they mention Batesville.

[salin]

2. 200 million dollar project...

unnamed business... not clear where... Mitch spoke with a mayor about the project but gave little info per what or who was behind it... that part strikes me as odd - why is Ditch Mitch! involved? If it is economic development, why wouldn't he be touting it - as he needs to tout something to improve his image (newest SurveyUsa has is approvals in the state at about 35%.

[DemonGoddess]

3. apparently he wouldn't tell either mayor

WHAT the project was. In the paper, he was quoted as saying if he mentioned WHICH company, that it would jeopardize the project.

[salin]

4. Wonder why? What company - that is already buying up land

would end the project, if the project was known, and the company's name was associated with it?

[thinkingwoman]

5. If Mitch is worried about the deal

being jeopardized, when land is already being bought up, then I suspect it's something that the public will be pissed about.

Just my gut talking there.

P.S. Letters to homeowners should provide clues about the buyer, or at least their legal representation.

[salin]

6. I just stumbled across the article on news.google

made me very, very curious. Wonder if any of the local papers are digging in for answers, for as you suggest there should be a few clues.

When I read the headline, I wondered if it was pre-buying for I69 - til I read it was in an entirely different part of the state.

[hippiechick]

7. buying land close to the I-69 project, perhaps ??

... buy low, sell high next year when the state wants it for the new highway.

My sister's inlaws had a farm in WI that the state wanted in order to build I-43 back in the early 80's ... they - nor any of their children or grandchildren - will ever have to worry about buying groceries again.

[salin]

8. My initial thought as well... but no where near I69,

This has to do with an area (not quite specified save near "batesville") somewhere along I-74 between Indy and Cincinatti. Far, far east of the various proposed corridors for the extension of I69.

[DemonGoddess]

9. It's actually Newpoint, which is midway between

Batesville and Greensburg. Still haven't heard anything more than that tho...

[DemonGoddess]

10. saw another article today about

this project, where there is an alternate location being considered at HWY 421/I-74. STILL no mention of who the company is.

[LisaLynne]

11. Nuclear waste dump site?

Sorry -- totally joking, but I wouldn't put ANYTHING past that you know what Mitch. He's selling out the entire state and then he's going to high-tail it out of here, laughing all the way to the bank, no doubt.

[SpeedwayDemocrat]

12. Hillenbrand expanding perhaps?

I mean, they ARE in a growth industry (caskets and hospital beds) with aging baby boomers and all. They're already in Batesville, they're VERY Republican owned and always looking to expand. Heard rumors they were looking at extending their burial service items to possibly include creamatories and those type services.
But it could just be a rumor, and I'm just speculating based on what else is already in that area.
Something this hush-hush could also be government-related; moving a base like Crane to a more accessible area where there are more potential employee candidates, etc.
Anyway, just my 2 cents on the possibilities...

[salin]

13. Interestint speculations...

though if Crane related - it would't be govt - but perhaps a 'contractor' with a huge govt contract.

Btw, every time I read/hear/see a story in Indy about problems with voting (the machines, the registrations, etc.) I think of you and thank you. If I recall you first contacted channell eight (was it 04 primary?) and they were not aware of the problems you described experiencing - and they did a couple of stories... then someone at eight kept paying some attention and reporting - to the point where stories in multiple media outlets are giving coverage. I could be wrong, but I do think that you playes a role in this happening, and would venture that by now we have more frequent and varied (different focus) stories on the issues of potential serious problems with upcoming elections than other similar sized (or larger?) media markets. :thumbsup:

[DemonGoddess]

15. if it was Hillenbrand expansion, we'd've heard by now

I think. Especially here, as Batesville is very supportive of Hillenbrand Industries, our major employer..

[FtWayneBlue]

14. Maybe for a huge prison,

gulag, internment camp, or some such type of detention center.

[DemonGoddess]

16. hmmm

Hubby is speculating...and what he is saying (he grew up here), is that the reason for it not to be publicized around here is it's likely to be a company that none of the locals WANT here.

[DrGonzoLives]

17. That would make sense

Although, given what zoning laws are, and permitting, wouldn't this have to come up to someone?

Hell, in Terre Haute, the hearings for zoning an exotic dance/pool bar in one section of town leads the evening news.

[DemonGoddess]

18. yes it would,

UNLESS the locals (like around here) were being uncooperative. :) So, I imagine at some point the Greensburg Daily News will tell us what this is, because I think it's going to end up in Decatur, not Ripley county.

[hippiechick]

19. Here ya go ...

:hi:


http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060516/BUSINESS/60516030/0/SPORTS05

Mystery of land sales revealed
By Norm Heikens and JK Wall

Attorneys working on behalf of Honda Motor Co. have rounded up at least one parcel of land in southeastern Indiana large enough to accommodate a Honda auto assembly plant that may be considered for North America and could employ thousands of workers.

However, other states are still competing for the plant, Gov. Mitch Daniels said today. wners of farmland and houses about four miles east of Greensburg in southeastern Indiana have signed options to sell more than 1,000 acres to an unnamed company. The company’s identity had remained a mystery for weeks until Daniels confirmed today that it is Honda.

Most of the land is contiguous. It also abuts railroad tracks and is within a mile of Interstate 74, offering transportation options for hauling in raw materials and components and shipping out finished cars.

Five landowners contacted by The Star said they had signed options to sell a total of 1,044 acres. An Indianapolis lawyer representing the company has said it needed at least 1,000 acres for the plant.

Offers from the company were mailed to landowners in at least four locations in southeastern Indiana: the location east of Greensburg; two other sites west of Greensburg and another plot east of Batesville.

... more at link ...

[salin]

20. Thanks for the follow up

the hush hush - esp in the Mitch Era - makes the speculation juices run wild...

Guess Honda has a higher view of Indiana than does Delphi (auto parts)

[tulip]

21. This is good news!!!

Lets hope we can get Hoosiers back to work.

[DemonGoddess]

22. I figured it'd be closer to Greensburg...

although this is definitely a very good thing, maybe it'll make Romweber and Casket bring up wages for people around here...