Oct 31, 2012– Owen County, USA (Techreleased) –Hoosier Energy broke ground Tuesday, Oct. 30 for its new $25-million power delivery and operations facility in Owen County.
Congressman Larry Bucshon, who represents Indiana’s 8th District, spoke to more than 100 local and state officials and other guests who attended the groundbreaking at a 90-acre site located on State Road 43 south of the intersection with State Road 46.
Bucshon joined Hoosier Energy Chief Executive Officer Steve Smith and Chairman James Weimer as speakers at the event. Representing Owen County were Craig Coffman, president of the Owen County Redevelopment Commission, and Donnie Minnick, vice president of the Owen County Commissioners.
“Electricity is perhaps the most remarkable and life changing product ever developed, and keeping the lights on for co-op consumers is job number one for our members and Hoosier Energy,” Smith said. “The facilities and people we’ll locate in Owen County will help ensure that co-op consumers continue to receive reliable, dependable service for many years to come.”
Rep. Bucshon, the son of a coal miner, represents a district that produces most of Indiana’s coal, which fuels more than 90 percent of the state’s power generation. He pledged to support affordable and reliable electricity for Hoosiers.
“It’s important that consumers have necessary infrastructure in place to have power delivered in an efficient, cost-effective way,” Bucshon said. “I commend Hoosier Energy’s commitment to Owen County. Choosing Owen County for this facility will help support reliable power for the citizens of this region.”
Coffman and Minnick each welcomed Hoosier Energy to the Owen County community. They remarked on the teamwork that brought the power supply cooperative in as a cornerstone for industrial development.
Hoosier Energy is constructing an office and warehouse building, maintenance, vehicle service and storage facilities, a communications tower and other operations facilities.
More than 60 employees will be based at the facility, which is expected to be completed by the end in the fourth quarter of 2013.
Following a year-long site selection process in a multi-county area, the Owen County property was selected for the proposed facility due to proximity to transmission and substation assets, good transportation access, space for future growth, and support from community leaders. The operations facility is part of a long-range plan adopted earlier in the year by the power supply cooperative’s board of directors.
Two Hoosier Energy member cooperatives serve consumers in Owen County including Martinsville-based South Central Indiana REMC and Bloomfield-based Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC.
