CHARLESTOWN, Ind. (WDRB) — The last piece of the multi-million dollar River Ridge Commerce project is now in the hands of the developer.
The project has been in the works for more than 10 years. On Friday, the final deed was transferred from the United States Army to River Ridge, and when it is all done, it will be a huge boom for existing and future businesses.
Matthew Warren is manager of Community Wireless in Charlestown. He provides high-speed internet for rural areas, and for the last few years, business has been somewhat slow.
“We had to lay off a little bit because of the downturn,” Warren said.
But these days, business is good, and Community Wireless is growing again.
“We are looking to have our business doubled within just the next year,” Warren said.
And the future growth has a lot to do with the mammoth project just up the road.
“(Friday) marks a welcomed and a historic day for us as we have the last of the land transferred,” said Charlestown Mayor Bob Hall.
On Friday, the final deed was transferred in front of several dozen people on Highway 62 in Charlestown.
“It has been a multi-year effort to have the property transferred from the United States Army to the development authority,” said Jerry Acy, Executive Director of River Ridge. “The first transfer took place 11 years ago.”
Acy said the old ammunition plant will soon be a win for Charlestown businesses and residents.
“We have over 35 new companies here at River Ridge,” Acy said. “We have about 7,000 permanent jobs now, and that’s about 20 percent of the acreage.”
“We kind of look forward to some of this fresh blood,” Warren said.
Warren added that Community Wireless hopes to grow right along with River Ridge.
“It’ll make it a lot easier, like I said, with the new businesses and the new employees coming in.”
Right now, no one knows for sure exactly what what businesses will occupy the space, but construction on offices will start in the near future.
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