SERVING HENDRICKS COUNTY SINCE 1847
Page A-4
The Republican
Hendricks County
Thursday, March 11, 2021
Town of Avon Welcomes New Businesses, Growth
Costco Wholesale at Avon should be open for business by the holidays of 2021. ___________________________________________________
Avon Town Counci: Top Row: Aaron Tevebaugh, Steve Eisenbarth; bottom Row: Greg Zusan, Dawn Lowden (Council President), Robert Pope (Council Vice President)
_______________________________________________________________ By Melissa Gibson The Avon Town Council is making plans to utilize available land and welcome several new businesses with forward-thinking preparation for the future. Perhaps the most popular addition to the town is Costco Wholesale at the northwest corner of U.S. Highway 36 and County Road 900 East. Town Manager Ryan
AVON TOWN MANAGER RYAN CANNON
Cannon said Costco is in the final stages of the planning process and hope to break ground in May to be open by Thanksgiving of 2021. “We’ve heard good feedback about Costco.
They only have two in Indy and have a regional draw. People are willing to drive to the north or south to get there, so we’re really excited to have them come to Avon,” Cannon said. Rural King Supply is another highly anticipated new business in the area. The farm and home store at 7508 Beechwood Centre Road will offer livestock feed, pet food, lawn care supplies and automotive supplies. Catering to the rural farming areas, they also offer supplies for the farm and live chicks and bunnies. Rural King’s soft opening is March 13 with a grand opening celebration on March 27. Residents will also see Culver’s arrive on the scene at U.S. Highway 36 where the closed Bob Evans used to sit, though a grand opening date is not set and industrial building are currently being developed in several areas of Avon. “There are three industrial areas in the works which is good for us as a community because they diversify our tax base. We don’t current-
ly know who is going into those buildings, but are excited to welcome them as well,” Cannon said. Avon Logistics is coming to the north side of County Road 100 South. The first building of the first phase is 880,000 square feet and the entire development will eventually become 5 to 6 million square feet as additional phases are met. Reagan Logistics Park will build on the west side of Ronald Reagan between Country Road 100 South and County Road 200 South. They are purposing 1 million square feet with one building at 700,000 square feet and a second at 300,000 square feet. Avon Landing is the third anticipated industrial development, located to the north on Ronald Regan between County Road 200 North and County Road 300 North. This property includes a planned unit development (PUD), featuring apartments, small commercial area and six to eight small industrial buildings. “It’s been more of a shift
HCCF Supports Indiana Agricultural Leadership Program
2021 AgrIInstitute Class
Agricultural and rural leaders across the state rely on the AgrIInstitute to provide leadership development and to prepare leaders to advance agriculture in their communities. The Agricultural Leadership Program (ALP) provides training sessions locally and educational experiences in both Washington D.C. and abroad to agricultural students across the state. The program focuses on education on public policy issues impacting agriculture and leadership skill development. While tuition is $5,000 per member, the total investment for each participant is approximately $15,000. Since its beginning, AgrIInstitute has provided this training to nearly 500 individuals. Hendricks County is home to 17 of the graduates of the ALP. Hendricks County ALP graduates include: David Booher, Sarah Browning, Lynn Campbell, Jerry and Vyanne Chandler, Denise Derrer, Michael Edmondson, Todd Greenwood, David Hardin, Michael Larr, Jamie Price, Vanessa Smith, Hal Truax, David Whicker, David Wyeth, Amy Berg, and Brooke Smith. To continue growing and developing strong leaders in the agriculture world, the Hendricks County Community Foundation (HCCF) awarded AgrIInstitute $513 from the Hendricks County AgrIInstitute Fund to provide a portion of the funds needed to administer the two-year program. “ALP provides a valuable platform for the adults who are actively engaged in serving agriculture to become better informed and skilled decision-makers and leaders for agriculture locally and nationally,” said Beth Archer, the Executive Director of the AgrIInstitute. “The investment made in this program is one that will have a lasting benefit as these leaders advance the industry that feeds the world.” The Hendricks County AgrIInstitute Fund is a permanent, designated fund at HCCF that was established in 2010 and grants every year to the organization to support their programs. Designated funds like this one empower people who care about Hendricks County to forever support a charity they believe in. HCCF President and CEO William Rhodehamel expressed the importance of designated funds, “Designated funds like the Hendricks County AgrIInstitute Fund are one of the simplest and most effective ways for donors to invest their money in organizations they love.”
in thinking by the town council,” Cannon said. “They have taken the approach of we have limited land so we need to use it the best way possible. The town has made substantial capital investments, widening Ronald Reagan Parkway and County Road 100 South is the largest project in the history of the town. These are important because we want to take advantage of the economic opportunities.” Long term, Cannon said, the industrial developments are exciting because it’s what the town needs. With little office and industrial space to date, the areas will lead to success in good investments for Avon. “I think the strength of Avon is that we are in the middle,” Cannon said. “We have commercial development along the 36 corridor, and we can attract businesses because we are in the middle. We’re a short distance from Brownsburg, Plainfield, Danville and Indianapolis. Our strength is also a weakness because it gives us limited land for development.” “The council has hired an economic director, John Taylor and he’s been a driving force behind attracting businesses and connecting them to land. We still have 30 percent of the town undeveloped so there’s more to do, but the council has
done a great job at planning for the future when we are eventually land locked,” Cannon added. Looking toward that future, Avon has received federal funds to widen Dan Jones Road to four lanes between U.S. Highway 36 and County Road 150 South in 2023 and 2024. A roundabout will be added to County Road 150 South to allow for better traffic flow in the congested area. Cannon has served the Town as Public Works Director for more than 20 years and was named Town Manger last fall. He’s excited to see what he can bring to the town and continue the growth the council has set forth to accomplish. “I’m enjoying the position and it’s challenging. I’m still getting all the pieces in place,” Cannon said. “We want to hire a communications coordinator to allow us to be more responsive to residents. Tom [Klein] did a fantastic job and I’m hoping to build on what we’ve already done. Avon is the youngest town in Hendricks County at 25 years, but we’re not the new guy in town anymore. I’d like to see Avon have more influence in our county and to take things to the next level.” Keep up to date on new businesses and growth in the community by visiting www.avongov.org.
4-H Flower Sale Underway It’s time for the annual Hendricks County 4-H Flower Sale! The money raised from this sale supports the Hendricks County 4-H Program, 4-H Youth Council and local 4-H clubs. Red or Hot Pink Seed Geraniums are available for $1.75 each or $31.50 for a flat of 18 plants. Also for sale are Purple or White Wave Petunias for $5 per plant or $75 for a flat of 15. The flowers are grown in Hendricks County at Sugar Grove Greenhouse You may purchase flowers by ording them through your local Hendricks County 4-H members or by calling 317-745-9260. The flowers will be available in May. Any extra flowers will be put in the drive-thru open sale at Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds, 1900 E. Main, Danville, starting May 1, while supplies last. ______________________________________________
Libraries Assist with COVID-19 Vaccine Registration
Hendricks County libraries are partnering with the Hendricks County Health Department to assist with scheduling and registering eligible people for the COVID-19 vaccine. Currently, individuals 65 and older are eligible to sign up and register for the vaccine at any location in the state of Indiana. In order to sign up for the vaccine, individuals may go online to www.ourshot.in.gov or call 211 for assistance. Both the website and 211 have been experiencing high traffic and wait times can be lengthy, which is where Hendricks County libraries come in to assist. Anyone who needs assistance with scheduling and registering for their COVID-19 vaccine can contact any of the following Hendricks County libraries for assistance: ▪ Avon: In Person Only ▪ Brownsburg: 317-852-3167 ▪ Clayton: 37-539-2991 ▪ Coatesville: 765-386-2355 ▪ Danville: 317-745-2604 ▪ Plainfield: 317-839-6602 ______________________________________________
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The Republican
On Dean’s List at Manchester U.
The following local students were named to the Fall Dean’s List. at Manchester University. Miranda Bieghler of Plainfield. Bieghler is majoring in early childhood & elementary education. Brayden Sayre of Brownsburg. Sayre is majoring in marketing. ____________
P-GTPL Adds In-House Hours
The Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library has resumed in-house service. Patrons are welcome to make brief, socially distanced visits to the library. Library hours will be: Mon - Thurs: 9a-8p Fri: 9a-6p Sat: 9a-5p Sun: 1-5p The Library will continue to monitor Executive Orders, health department guidelines, and CDC recommendations. For more information, visit www. plainfieldlibrary.net/expanded-service/. __________
Avon Optimists Offer Memorial Scholarship
The Avon Optimist Club is now accepting applications for the Charles H. Schoen Optimist Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship is open to students planning to attend a two-year (Associates degree) program or other vocational-technical training. In addition to the many two-year Associates Degree programs offered by Colleges and Universities, programs such as medical technician, A & P mechanic, cosmetology, auto mechanic, EMT training and similar vocational studies qualify for the scholarship. One Scholarship is awarded every year for one year in the amount of $1000 per semester or $2,000 per year. Although one year we awarded two scholarships. Who is eligible? You need not be a student at Avon High School. Seniors at private schools and home - schooled students are also eligible. Requirements: 1.) Be a graduating senior. 2.) Be a resident of Washington Township, Hendricks County, Indiana. 3.) Intend to pursue vocational training. 4.) Maintain a C average in High School To apply, request an application from p_grant@ fastmail.fm. Complete the application form and return via email or send to Avon Optimist Club, Scholarship Application, 8103 E. US 36 #140, Avon, IN 46123. Applications are now being accepted. Deadline is April 1, 2021. __________
It’s News To Us
Birthday parties, new babies, anniversaries, visits from long-lost cousins -- these are the items that make up the kind of news you only find in the pages of The Republican. If you have a local news item you’d like to contribute, you can call us at 317-745-2777, send by fax to 317-647-4341, e-mail to therepublican@ sbcglobal.net or drop by the office at 6 East Main in Danville. Our deadline for submitting news items is noon on Monday for Thursday’s edition. ___________
