Development Remains Strong in Merrillville, Red Bull Distribution Coming to Town
Recently released figures from the Merrillville Planning and Building Department show the estimated total cost of construction in 2023 exceeded $193 million. That’s up from about $183 million worth of construction that took place in 2022.
Among the development that occurred last year was the construction of a 39,483-square-foot building on nearly 4 acres of property at 995 E. 96th Pl. in the AmeriPlex at the Crossroads business park.
The Town is excited to share that the Red Bull Distribution Company will occupy space in that facility.
The location has space for two or three tenants, and decisions are still underway regarding if Red Bull will occupy part of the facility or the entire building.
The development was completed by Broadway Outlets LLC/Murray Commercial, and it had an approximate investment of $5.5 million, and it created 100 temporary construction jobs. It’s anticipated the facility could result in 50-plus permanent jobs with an estimated salary of $2.5 million annually.
The Broadway Outlets LLC/Murray Commercial project was among the more than 1,800 building permits the Merrillville Planning and Building Department issued in 2023.
The department issued 30 permits for new single-family homes, 24 for duplex to fourplex homes, 9 for multi-family dwellings, 426 for commercial buildings, and more than 1,300 for miscellaneous improvements.
Merrillville has been a hotbed of activity with a variety of ongoing developments, and Town Council President Rick Bella emphasized the importance of having a good mixture of residential and commercial growth for effective planning in the community.
Merrillville Planning and Building Director Shelia Shine pointed out that the building permits from last year generated more than $1.7 million for the Town. Some of those dollars go back to Merrillville’s general fund to be used in a variety of ways to help residents.
Merrillville generated more than $1.2 million in building permit fees in 2022, about $750,000 in 2021, about $605,000 in 2020, about $544,000 in 2019 and about $606,000 in 2018.
As Town leaders reflect on the strong year of growth in Merrillville, officials know there are many factors that make Merrillville stand out to developers. Merrillville has a central location in Northwest Indiana, a close proximity to major highways, and a business-friendly atmosphere.
Merrillville works closely with developers, and Town officials have been creative to attract projects to the community.
The Silos at Sanders Farm development is among those projects. The 196-acre development on Mississippi Street received a $1.41 million grant through the state’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) program.
Merrillville also partnered with Crow Holdings, the developer of the Silos at Sanders Farm, by authorizing tax abatement and contributing tax increment financing district dollars.
The Town has also offered tax abatement to other corporations, which has led to them choosing Merrillville instead of other communities.
“At times, it can feel like competing with our friends who surround Merrillville, but that is how communities can compete for development and the potential tax revenue these large projects will bring to the community,” Bella said.
Town Councilor Shawn Pettit, the president of the Redevelopment Commission, pointed out that the local building trades also benefit from the Town’s aggressive approach to attracting development, which generates hundreds upon hundreds of union jobs for some of the major projects in the Town.
“If you want consideration for tax abatement, you’ll be using union labor for your project, it’s that simple,” Pettit said.
Merrillville Economic Development Director Angie Chilcott said the Town remains focused on business attraction, retention, and expansion to assist in the creation of jobs.
“We meet with developers for potential projects and conduct regular and ongoing communications regarding new and existing projects,” Chilcott said.
While impressed with what took place in 2023 in Merrillville, officials are also optimistic about what’s in store this year in the municipality.
The Northwest Indiana Forum, a regional economic development organization, will soon hear from Town officials as they work with other developers seeking the next round of READI 2.0 grant opportunities.
“The Economic Development Department continues to pursue all incoming leads from potential businesses interested in coming to Merrillville,” Chilcott said. “We also pursue leads from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation to increase economic opportunities and improve the quality of life for Merrillville residents.”