“It started with a 151,000-square-foot facility here, before they expanded throughout their nearly 30 years in the city. They now span about 650,000 square feet and employ 475. We are very fond of that company.” Other significant contributors to Greenfield’s industrial landscape include Indiana Automotive Fasteners and Hitachi Astemo, both manufacturers of parts for the automotive industry. Adding to Greenfield’s unique offerings is Cynthia’s Hallmark, the largest Hallmark store in the United States at 15,000 square feet. The city is also looking ahead to new developments, where potential projects encompass high-end daycare facilities, and retail operations, as well as a major industrial development soon to be announced in Greenfield’s Progress Park. Kirk points out the potential for continued growth in the region, adding, “In the unincorporated part of the county, over 20 million square feet of industrial space has been developed in the past five years, much of which is designed for logistics, transportation purposes, and that includes Walmart’s largest fulfillment center in the world.” INFRASTRUCTURE AND COLLABORATION As Greenfield continues to transform, the city is welcoming development in an area west of downtown known as 200 West.“That’s out near all these other industries,” details Mayor Titus. “Talking with the people from the state, they’re going to add another exit off of I-70, possibly within the next five years. Once that opens it’s going to boom, just like other communities in Hancock County have done over the years.”Additionally, major upgrades to Interstate 70, including a third lane in each direction extending to Greenfield, are nearing completion. The city’s expansion is supported by partnerships with entities such as NineStar Connect, a cooperative providing utilities and broadband services to the region. Mayor Titus expands, “We own our own utilities here in the city limits, electric, water and Photo Credit: Photon Automation William Huffman, CEO of Photon Automation, Inc., a Greenfield-based advanced manufacturer specializing in laser applications, battery systems, and other cutting-edge technologies. 43 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 01 GREENFIELD, IN
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