Southern Indiana shovel-ready site becomes first in state to be Verisite and state-certified

LINTON, Ind. (June 28, 2021) — A shovel-ready site in Linton received certification from the state of Indiana through the Verisite certification process, becoming the first in Indiana to be both Verisite and state-certified. 

Leaders from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA), Radius Indiana, Verisite, the City of Linton, Greene County Economic Development Corporation and the Linton-Stockton Chamber of Commerce partnered to celebrate the certification of the site.

“By being designated as site certified, Linton has illustrated their commitment to economic growth,” said OCRA Executive Director Denny Spinner. “This shows that the Dunkerly site is ready for investment and has the resources needed to be successful. This is an exciting achievement for the community and I congratulate all community members and partners involved in making this designation happen.”

The event featured comments from Spinner, Jeff Quyle from Radius Indiana, Courtney Zaugg from Plaka and Associates/Verisite, and Mayor John Wilkes from the City of Linton.

The 60.97-acre site in Greene County completed the Verisite certification process and received a Silver Site certification in August 2020. The Silver Certification gives companies and site selectors the assurance the site is ready for expedited development and that all needed documentation and data has been compiled and verified, which results in cost savings and speed to market for a new business. Indiana Municipal Power Agency (IMPA) provided financial support and engagement in the certification process.

 “When we say ‘You’ll like Linton’, it’s not just a slogan. We mean that sincerely, and we apply it equally to new residents and new businesses. Our community is prepared to treat newcomers with hospitality and warmth,” said Mayor Wilkes.

Site certification creates opportunities for cities and counties to become preferred locations for industrial growth and innovation. OCRA and Verisite each offer their own certification programs for sites that are ready for economic development. 

The certification process assures site selectors and companies that the area is ready for development and provides documentation with all test results. Criteria to become certified include distance from a major highway, proper zoning, utility capacity and distance, and the number of continuous acres. 

“Our Radius team appreciates all the cooperation that we experienced while working with everyone from OCRA staff to Verisite professionals to Linton City leaders,” said Quyle. “Their team-oriented attitude is exactly what a company wants to experience when they begin a business expansion effort in a community like Linton.”

From left to right: Jeff Quyle (Radius Indiana), Mayor John Wilkes (City of Linton), Denny Spinner (OCRA), Courtney Zaugg (Plaka and Associates/Verisite)

###

About Radius Indiana: Radius Indiana is a regional economic development partnership representing eight counties in Southern Indiana: Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Orange, and Washington. Formed in 2009, Radius Indiana also serves as a point of contact in Indiana for Naval Support Activity Crane and leads regional collaboration by leveraging the diverse assets of Southwest Central Indiana to drive attraction, retention and expansion of business, thereby increasing employment and investment opportunities and quality of life within the region.