John Frey

Recaps,

Says Thanks

What a beautiful day to be alive and living in West Central Indiana! My goal with this message is simple: to avoid embarrassing my mother. For those of you who know her, you understand the pressure that puts on me!

I’ve started many speeches with those lines over the past eight years, and this will be my last opportunity as a county commissioner to do so. So, let’s get to it!

For years, we’ve talked about what we needed to do to grow our community – encouraging people to see the potential of our future and inviting them to join in the effort. Now, it’s incredibly exciting to see that vision transforming into reality.

Success like this doesn’t just happen. It’s the result of preparation, teamwork, and a commitment to investing in our future. Having a team of elected officials and community leaders who understand the importance of investment – and the long-term returns that come with it—is critical to our success.

Today, inspiring action is easier because we have something tangible to show for our work. The dirt is moving, the projects are progressing, and the impact is real. 

Let’s take a look at a few of the milestones we’ve achieved together: 

   •   Tempur/Sealy’s $150 million investment

   •   Nucor Steel’s $300 million commitment to a new steel coatings complex

   •   Towers and Structures’ $120 million facility, a downstream user of Nucor steel

   •   New residential construction along US 231 on the south side of town, with more to come

   •.  Many more of our existing businesses are consolidating, strengthening, and investing for long-term sustainability. All in all, nearly $1 billion in new investment, and 1,000 high-paying jobs created 

These successes are no accident. They’re the result of careful planning and preparation. We’ve worked hard to create an environment that businesses and industries want to be part of.

As Shane Parrish aptly put it:

“What looks like talent is often good positioning, and the best way to put yourself in a good position is with good preparation. A good position allows you to think clearly rather than being forced by circumstances into a decision.”

This quote perfectly reflects our approach as a community. We’ve invested millions in infrastructure, prioritized key projects, and managed our cash flow to ensure we’re always moving forward.

Let me share a few examples of our hard work in action:

Big Projects, Big Returns

1. Water Tower and Main Expansion

      •   A $13 million project in partnership with Indiana American Water

      •   Funded with a mix of ARPA dollars ($3.7M), a SWIF grant ($3M), TIF revenues, and negotiated rate increases with IAW

2. Comfort Drive Paving

      •   Transformed 1.5 miles of gravel road into a paved corridor with shoulders and ditches

      •   A $7 million project funded by industrial TIF revenue

3. Sewer Collection System Expansion

      •   Extended over six miles with lift stations and forced mains

      •   A $5 million project fully funded by growth and new business investments

4. Purple Heart Parkway Extension

      •   A $5 million project connecting US 231 and Ladoga Road

      •   Funded through READI grants, ARPA dollars, and collaboration with the city

5. Nucor Road Overpass

      •   A $20 million project eliminating a dangerous grade crossing

      •   Funded with $16 million from an INDOT grant and TIF revenues

The Road Ahead

Looking ahead, we have even more transformative projects on the horizon:

   •   Expanding our wastewater treatment capacity

   •   Adding turn lanes at Comfort Drive and Nucor Road

   •   Extending water lines to new areas

   •   Connecting Comfort Drive to Purple Heart Parkway

   •   Building a truck route to divert semis from downtown

Our goal is simple: shovel-ready sites and infrastructure. Developers don’t have the luxury of waiting for a community to catch up. We must continue investing proactively, staying ahead of the curve.

Thank You

None of this would be possible without the hard work and dedication of so many individuals. To our team of officials, community leaders, and partners: thank you.

We’ve built the right team, and today, we can all take pride in what we’ve accomplished together.

Thank you for trusting me with the reins over these last eight years – and for believing in the future of West Central Indiana!