Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann praises the hard work officials in Syracuse, Kosciusko and Elkhart counties have done to make the Syracuse Industrial and Technology Park a reality during a press conference at the park Thursday morning. Shown seated left of Ellspermann are Syracuse Town Councilmen Larry Siegel, Bill Musser and Paul Stoelting.

Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann, along with representatives from Syracuse, Kosciusko County and Elkhart County, announced the Syracuse Technology and Industrial Park, located at SR 13 and US 6, to be a shovel ready site at a press conference held Thursday morning.

Town Manager Henry DeJulia gave a brief overview of the project, which started 12 years ago when town officials were looking for sites suitable for economic development. The property was purchased in 2007 through grants from the Economic Development Administration, Economic Development Initiative and HUD.

The park, purchased by the town in 2007, is 62 acres and sits just 1.3 miles north of Syracuse in Elkhart County.

DeJulia told the crowd the park is an ideal place for manufacturing, research and development, science and technology and advanced manufacturing.

He made a point to thank the many agencies and individuals involved in making the project a success.

“It’s a real treat to be here to celebrate,” said Dorinda Heiden-Guss, president and CEO of Economic Development Corporation of Elkhart County. She added it is paramount communities prepare themselves to welcome new businesses. She also presented DeJulia with a golden shovel award in appreciation for his hard work.

Shown with the certificate showing the Syracuse Industrial and Technology Park to be shovel ready are, from left, Dorinda Heiden-Guss, president and CEO, of Economic Development Corporation of Elkhart County; Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann and Henry DeJulia, Syracuse town manager.

Ellspermann noted the location of the park is a fabulous location. “Collaboration between Elkhart and Kosciusko counties will be beneficial to both counties,” she said. She explained shovel ready means a community has made sure the necessary criteria for a new business to move in, from utilities to permits have been addressed. “We want to make sure that clients, firms that want to move in here, their concerns are mitigated,” she said.

This is the third shovel ready site located in Elkhart County.

“This has been a long time in coming from a lot of people,” said Larry Siegel, Syracuse town councilman. “Over 12 years ago we were looking for land.” A lot of companies have expressed interest in the park, but at that time, it wasn’t ready. Syracuse Redevelopment Commission is actively looking to attract buyers. Siegel noted the commission has a strong ability to incentivize companies that want to move into the park.

Syracuse Town Council President Paul Stoelting said the hope is the park brings businesses based in technology and new age manufacturing.

“We hope to bring in some diversity. We hope to bring those types of companies to the area, whether small start ups or companies looking to expand,” Siegel said.

Ellspermann was overheard telling DeJulia she can’t wait to hear about the first announcement a company is moving into the park.

DeJulia said the park benefits existing companies since the town doesn’t have any other opportunities for future growth for industry. DeJulia said he hopes the park would allow local businesses looking to expand to stay in the area.

Dorinda Heiden-Guss, president and CEO of Economic Development Corporation of Elkhart County, presents Syracuse Town Manager Henry DeJulia with a golden shovel statue in appreciation for bringing Syracuse its first shovel ready site with the Syracuse Industrial and Technology Park during a press conference held Thursday morning.