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GROUNDBREAKING — City officials, contractors and state representatives join in the ceremonial shovel turning during the Chamberlain Industrial Park groundbreaking Tuesday, Sept. 16, highlighting Rochester’s push for economic growth. Photo by Lauren Ignaffo.
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Rochester breaks ground on $26M Chamberlain Industrial Park project By LIBBY HUBBARD Staff Writer City officials and project partners gathered Tuesday morning, Sept. 16, to break ground on a multi-million-dollar industrial park and infrastructure project that leaders say will reshape Rochester’s growth potential and support economic development across Fulton County and beyond. The ceremony, held at 10 a.m. at 542 S. CR 50E near US 31, launched the Chamberlain Industrial Park and Infrastructure Upgrades Project. The initiative represents an estimated $26 million in total investment, with funding from the Indiana Finance Authority, the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative 2.0, the city of Rochester, and project partners. Commonwealth Engineers Inc., which designed the water and wastewater infrastructure, sponsored the groundbreaking and provided event amenities. Mayor Trent Odell, Indiana state Sen. Stacy Donato, city officials and representatives from funding agencies addressed the crowd.
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The Fulton County Chamber of Commerce praised the project as a milestone for the region, noting its role in preparing Rochester to grow alongside Indiana’s $300 million US 31 improvement initiative. In a private interview on Thursday, Sept. 18, at City Hall, Odell said the project is about long-term vision rather than immediate returns. “This is about preparing the ground for opportunity,” he said. “Like planting a seed, we’ve put in the infrastructure, and now we’ll wait to see what harvest it brings. The important part is that Rochester is ready.” The improvements include $16 million in state investment for water main extensions, a 750,000-gallon storage tank, 39 fire hydrants and the replacement of lead service lines. Another $5 million from READI 2.0 and city contributions will extend water and wastewater service into the new industrial park along US 31. Odell said the combination of infrastructure and location makes the site “shovel-ready” for businesses, a critical factor for companies looking to build within 18 months. Development is expected to begin just Continued on page 2
NAMESAKE — Mayor Trent Odell speaks on the history behind the name of the new Chamberlain Industrial Park during Tuesday’s groundbreaking ceremony.
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