Just three months after it was announced that a gun manufacturer was looking to move to Kosciusko County, today there is disappointing news.

George Robertson, president of Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation, said, “The gun manufacturer prospect is no longer an active prospect. We would have really liked to land that one.”

Robertson told the county Redevelopment Commission in July that the manufacturer was looking to expand and possibly bring operations to Warsaw, but he also said there were “fear factors” in doing so, including the economy.

Robertson has long been saying that Warsaw and Kosciusko County have to provide shovel-ready land and shell buildings to even be considered for most new manufacturers or industries to locate here. Warsaw Redevelopment Commission earlier this month approved a $2 million purchase of 91.6 acres of land for the Warsaw Technology Park. To be included in the park, located on the north side of U.S. 30 from CR 150 West to CR 200 West, is a shell building.

West Hill Development LLC will construct the shell spec building at a minimum of 40,000 square feet. While it is a step in the right direction, Robertson has said most prospects are looking for a minimum of 150,000-square-foot buildings.

But not all hope is lost for new possibilities either. “I have two nice expansion possibilities, but they involve the State so I cannot say anything until the paperwork is signed and the State releases the information,” Robertson explained.

Closing on the Warsaw Technology Park land is expected to take place on or before Dec. 15. Phase I of the project, which will include an additional expense of $835,000 for right-of-way acquisition and road construction, and the construction of the shell building, is to commence in January and be completed by December 2014. The entire project is estimated to cost the city $4,247,800 over a 5-year period.