Vanderburgh Industrial Park declared “shovel ready” by state

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. has certified the Vanderburgh Industrial Park as a "shovel ready" site, a move aimed at speeding up the permitting process for prospective tenants.

Officials said the certification allows the VIP to offer lower site development costs and improves the park's marketability. To be named "shovel ready," sites must undergo environmental testing.

Indiana Secretary of Commerce Michael "Mickey" Maurer said the "shovel ready" certification should speed up the permitting process for potential tenants by 30 percent.

The Vanderburgh Industrial Park, located near Indiana 57 and interstates 64 and 164 in northern Vanderburgh County, was one of 12 sites across the state to receive the certification. The VIP opened in 2000 on about 200 acres.