Ribbon cut on new manufacturing center in Argos

ARGOS, Ind. - The Marshall County Economic Development Corporation officially cut the ribbon on the new Argos Manufacturing Center Wednesday with the hopes of bringing more jobs to the small town.

It's all thanks to a partnership between MCEDC and the Town of Argos, as well as a $400,000 Regional Cities grant.

“We suspect this is the right time...Companies are really looking to this state to come in and conduct business," said Jerry Chavez, President and CEO of the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation.

Argos is hoping its new manufacturing center opens the door to those companies making its town of less than 2,000 people their destination.

“What we call a manufacturing center is basically the shell of a building, and The purpose of the shell is we want some flexibility for a tenant, so we build the walls, put up the roof, put the docks in place," said Chavez.

As it stands, the building is 50,000 square feet, but they have the capability to expand it in either direction to 300,000 square feet.

“The larger the building in terms of the use, the more capital investment, the more jobs that go to filling in the space itself, and not only that, but with the potential for more workers, now we can have them live in this community," said Chavez.

He says the community sits in a sweet spot, near US 30 and 31.

As the center awaits a buyer, it's at least piquing the interest of its next door neighbors.

Russell Wagers, who owns a scrapyard down the road, stopped by to check it out on his way home.

“I think it’s real ballsy, and we’re hoping for the best. It’s a nice corner. It’s just getting the right neighbor to move here," said Wagers.

"it’s important for us to look at not only what are we doing today, but what are we doing in 5, 10, 15 years, and how do we shape that?...and when you start to bring in new people with new ideas from different places…you start to shape and start to grow in an organic effort," said Chavez.

He says there are already a few bites for the property, but it's too early in the process to reveal who they might be.

Chavez also said the EDC plans to build another manufacturing center in Plymouth soon.