New tenant in Legion building

GREENFIELD — An engineering company has opened its headquarters in Greenfield, breathing new life into a vacant building once owned by a local veteran’s group.

Photon Automation, which develops high- powered industrial lasers and builds robotic machinery, has moved into the space at 275 S. Center St. that once housed the American Legion.

Continue reading…


Approval of business district

FORTVILLE — Almost 200 acres of farmland along Fortville Pike could be the future site of a bustling business park — or so local leaders hope.

The Fortville Town Council this week unanimously approved a plan to create a tax-increment financing, or TIF district, which will use property tax dollars from new development on the south side of the community to improve the area and attract companies to set up shop nearby.

The district, which measures approximately 186 acres in all, is currently covered in crops, but town officials said they hope the plan will spur economic growth in the area.

Continue reading…


Elanco develops new vaccines

GREENFIELD — Scientists at Elanco Animal Health’s new facility on the north side of Greenfield are working to develop vaccines for food-borne illness and researching alternatives to antibiotics used in food animals.

About 30 employees are now working in the new 48,000-square-foot facility, construction of which wrapped up in the spring, said Colleen Parr Dekker, a spokeswoman for the company.

Continue reading…


McCordsville is booming

McCORDSVILLE — When Sheila Roberts settled on McCordsville as her home six years ago, she was thrilled to find an affordable house in a quiet community.

Much has changed since she moved in; McCordsville is now one of the fastest-growing cities in the area, a trend Roberts says has made it an even better place to live.

More families are moving to Hancock County, and the majority are landing along the western edge. Population growth across Hancock County is up 3 percent, which amounts to approximately 2,500 more residents than those recorded in the 2010 U.S. Census.

Continue reading…