Commissioners approve $1 million for Elwood sports complex
Sep. 19—ANDERSON — The Madison County Board of Commissioners approved the city of Elwood's request for $1 million for construction of a regional sports complex.
Commissioners passed a resolution Tuesday to provide up to $1 million in wind farm economic development funds for the project. When the Wild Cat Wind Farm was built in northern Madison County, the developer provided $1.3 million for economic development projects.
Alexandria received $300,000 for infrastructure improvements, and Madison County spent $400,000 for repairs at the courthouse and provided $100,000 to Frankton for water system upgrades.
Commissioner John Richwine noted that the decision to return $500,000 in the wind farm money for use in Elwood was up to Madison County.
"It was more of a loan," he said of the money that was used for courthouse repairs and Frankton water system upgrades. "The intent was to pay the funds back for a project in Elwood."
County attorney Jeff Graham said the resolution amends one adopted in 2018 to use the funds for projects in Alexandria and Elwood. The resolution now authorizes the funds for construction of a field house in Elwood.
"This is an important project for Elwood and surrounding communities," Alan Moore of the Elwood Redevelopment Commission said. "This will help with the acquisition of land."
Bill Savage, a member of the Elwood Redevelopment Commission, said appraisals have been obtained for the purchase of the property from the Mays family.
"We're in negotiations," he said.
Moore said the total cost of the project will be $9 million-$10 million.
In 2018 Elwood was awarded $1 million for a robotics training facility, a project that was never completed.
Elwood Mayor Todd Jones previously said the city is working with a sports management company to develop a sports complex to include a 50,000-square-foot indoor facility for basketball and volleyball and four outdoor baseball and softball diamonds.
The sports complex would be constructed on 79 acres adjacent to the Elwood High School football stadium.
Jones said a feasibility study has indicated the sports complex could bring about $9 million in tourism money to Madison County. The study indicates the sports complex could create up to 108 jobs in the region.
The complex would be used for athletic events for traveling teams from across Indiana, according to Jones.
OTHER BUSINESS
Commissioners approved an agreement between the Madison County Highway Department and the Crossings school in Anderson to provide job training for students.
Deandre Coleman of the Highway Department said the program would help 18-year-old students obtain a commercial driver's license. Students could work with the highway department on road patching and tree cutting, according to Coleman.
Donita Thompson of the Crossings said the program would help students learn job skills.
Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863.
