Business View Magazine | October 2020

276 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2020 project, to extend additional sewer service to the north side of town, should be done this fall. And we have plans to upgrade two of our electrical substations and have them online at the end of 2020 or the first part of next year, in anticipation of additional demand for the city, as well as Inteva’s power requirements.” Most of the industrial expansion is taking place on the west side of Bluffton in the Bluffton Decker Industrial Park. Located close to the interstate, it offers additional growth opportunities with about 120 acres of property available for development. The city is currently having conversations with other landowners, since Wells County is working on road and infrastructure in that area that will increase transportation opportunities and also allow for expansion of the industrial sector in that general vicinity. According to Blake Gerber, Wells County Commissioner, “We hired Nate Rumschlag as our Wells County Highway Engineer about four In 2019, Wells County had over $100 million of new investment, mostly from expansion of current industries. From a workforce perspective, about 14,000 County residents work every day. There is a continuous low unemployment rate but also significant growth within the per capita personal income. Wages are increasing, while the cost of living in Wells County continues to be lower than many other areas. Kline notes, “We’ve seen an increase in all aspects of population growth over the last several years. We’re trying to continue on that trend and make sure we’re putting ourselves in a position for growth – both in the population and for business investment.” John Whicker, City of Bluffton Mayor explains, “Bluffton is the largest city in the County, by far. And we’re involved in several infrastructure projects for existing, as well as future, industries. We are beginning construction of our new water treatment plant, which also includes new pipe in the ground and a new water tower in the north end of town. That’s a $14 million project that should be wrapped up in 2021. Another