Frequently asked questions
Some people are saying that the Indiana Enterprise Center will use 22 thousand acres of farmland. Is that true?
No. It’s not. That is an extreme exaggeration. Indiana Enterprise Center has always been a much smaller project consisting of 7,200 acres. This information has been published and shared repeatedly. It is available on this website by clicking the facts button. It’s also available for anyone to see in public records at the County City Building in South Bend.
Some people are also saying that the Center will create pollution for as many as 100 thousand people. Is that true?
No. It’s not true.
St. Joseph County is running modern sewer and water lines to and from the IEC. And the businesses that will be attracted to the IEC are non-smokestack, clean and environmentally friendly.
In fact, the IEC is likely to help reduce the amount of fertilizer and pesticides being used to grow food in our region by introducing a robust wireless network. The network will allow for easier adoption of advanced technologies that lower farming costs by allowing for more precise application of chemicals.
In other words, this is a smart, clean investment in creating new jobs, careers and a diversified economy that supports our way of life in St. Joseph County.
How will the Indiana Enterprise Center keep trucks and other business traffic out of our historic towns and neighborhoods?
The Indiana Enterprise Center is located outside of our cities and towns, and adjacent to the three major highways that businesses need to thrive. This adjacency means that trucks and other new business traffic will not need to go through our towns and neighborhoods. That’s one of the reasons this is considered a smart investment in the future of our cities and towns in St. Joseph County.
Where exactly will the Indiana Enterprise Center be?
The Center will be in Olive Township west of the South Bend city limits and close to the South Bend International Airport. The proximity to the airport, railroad and three major highways that converge in this part of the county make it a good location for new businesses and jobs.
Is the County forcing people to sell their land?
No. People have offered to sell their property to the county. And the county is paying a fair price for that property. No one is forcing anyone to do anything. And everyone understands that this is an investment in our future – especially for our children in St. Joseph County.
What types of companies do we want to attract to the Indiana Enterprise Center?
We’d like high tech companies large and small to locate in the Indiana Enterprise Center. We’d also like mature companies that intend to expand to locate in the Center. These companies are likely to be a cross-section of high-tech agribusiness, large national and some international operations that will add to the diversity of our economy in St. Joseph County.
What effect will this site have on farming in the region?
If anything, it will enhance the agribusiness component of the St. Joseph County economy by helping to reduce costs and improve productivity. Among other things, the Indiana Enterprise Center will introduce a robust wireless network to this part of the county that allows for adoption of advanced technologies that help to reduce the application of fertilizers and pesticides.
Modern farming is itself a manufacturing business. That’s why the Indiana Enterprise Center includes a strong agri-business component that will complement existing farming and enhance future farming in the region.
Who supports the Indiana Enterprise Center?
The state of Indiana supports this project. And citizens in every city and town in St. Joseph County support it as a smart plan that helps support our way of life in northern Indiana.
It’s been said that new businesses will have a negative effect upon the water supply just west of the South Bend Regional Airport. Is this true?
No. The County is running water and sewer service to the Indiana Enterprise Center. And it’s likely that the amount of fertilizers and pesticides will be reduced because the installation of a more robust wireless network will allow our local farmers to adopt more advanced technologies.
There are people saying that our farmland in St. Joseph County is the best in the world. Is that true?
It’s good farmland. But, according to the USDA, it’s average compared to other farmland across the country.