HANCOCK COUNTY — A number of business developments will bring jobs and facilities to Hancock County in the new year.
From a new winery to a nearly 200,000-square-foot big box store, 2016 will see an increase in the number of goods and services available to county residents.
Winery to open in McCordsville
Daniel’s Vineyard, a winery on a 40-acre property in McCordsville, plans to open to the public as early as July.Stephanie Cook, a wine-maker for the vineyard, said workers are constructing a 9,600-square-foot building at 9061 N. County Road 700W that will house a banquet hall, production space and a tasting room to serve wine samplings.
Cook said the facility should be an appealing option for wedding receptions, as its banquet hall will accommodate up to 300 guests.
“There aren’t many places outside of downtown Indianapolis that can seat so many people in a space like this,” Cook said. “We’ll provide something new to the community, a new environment to experience.”
More than 24 acres of grape vines were planted on the property in 2010, and the company produced its first batch of wine in 2013, Cook said. Eight types of grapes are grown on the site, including varieties used to produce both red and white wines.
The winery isn’t yet selling bottles to the public but plans to once it opens the new facility, Cook said.
Meijer construction to begin in spring
Construction of a new Meijer store will begin in early spring at the southeast corner of Broadway and Carroll roads in McCordsville after being delayed by rainy weather in December, said Ryan Crum, building and planning director for the town.The store will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will sell groceries, clothing and home goods.
Officials hope to see building complete by spring of next year.
Stone company to expand, add employees
An expansion to County Materials Corp., a concrete manufacturing company at 5 Junction St. in Maxwell, is set to begin in early spring.The expansion will add between 10 and 20 new jobs to the facility, which currently employs 75, said Skip Kuker, executive director of the Hancock County Economic Development Council.
The company is working with county officials to study the flow of semi-truck traffic traveling in and out of the facility, Kuker added. Once that’s completed, the company expects to repave roadways. It will also significantly reduce the spread of concrete dust produced at the site by enclosing almost all of the facility’s machinery, Kuker said.
“It should benefit the entire Maxwell community,” Kuker said.
Gas station to reopen on State Street
A gas station north of downtown Greenfield received approval from city officials in August to begin renovations on the site, which previously housed the Swift Service Station that closed in 2014, said Joanie Fitzwater, city planning director.The facility, at 1313 N. State St., will feature a 3,400-square-foot retail shop, according to documents filed with the city’s planning office. It has not been released which company will open a service station there.
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The Daily Reporter is giving readers a heads-up on 2016. From public safety to government and education, our looking-ahead series tells you what’s coming up in Hancock County.
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