Syracuse’s 6 & 13 Industrial and Technology Park was among five locations recognized by Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann as being Indiana “Shovel Ready” in a press release issued Tuesday.

Indiana Shovel Ready is a program administered through the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. The Shovel Ready designation certifies sites have proven to be prepped and ready for economic development and investment opportunities. The programs goal is to expedite the business location process by making sites more attractive to companies and site-selection consultants looking to locate and expand their business.

A site is declared “Shovel Ready” upon filling out an application and determining if the site has a base level of defined boundaries with a clear title; an established price; demonstration of executive level local government support; defined utility capacity; and have provided documentation such as a phase one environmental assessment, ALTA survey and wetland delineation.

The Syracuse industrial park received its designation along with Boswell Industrial Park in Benton County; Argos 17th Road Industrial Park in Marshall County; Owen Camp Site Highway 43 Industrial Park in Owen County; and the Fremont Industrial Site in Steuben County.

“Progress throughout Indiana depends on communities taking proactive steps to demonstrate they are ready and committed to cultivating economic development opportunities in their communities,” said Ellspermann, who oversees OCRA. “I encourage new businesses looking to invest in Indiana to consider these locations that are primed and ready for partnerships and investments that will certainly contribute to furthering Indiana’s economic opportunities and growth in the near future.”

Kick-off events are scheduled to take place in regards to the program Thursday, at the Benton County Courthouse (lieutenant governor attending); Friday at Fremont Town Hall (lieutenant governor attending); and Friday at Buck Creek Township Fire Department.

Communities of any size may apply for the designation through OCRA and are encouraged to visit www.in.gov/ocra/2622.htm for additional information on Indiana’s Shovel Ready program.