Investment group plans Botkins spec building

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BOTKINS — Botkins Industrial Park may see some new development if all goes according to plan for local resident Josh Meyer and his newly formed group of investors.

Meyer has asked the village and the Botkins Local Schools for tax abatements for a spec building he hopes to construct in the industrial park.

“The village has been farming that industrial park for years,” he said. The idea for a new initiative came out of a conversation during a breakfast in February in Meyer’s parents’ tavern. Following a last cup of coffee, Meyer got 10 people together to form Botkins Investments Group LLC. They are ready to make an $825,000 investment to purchase two acres from the village and construct a 20,000-square-foot manufacturing facility.

“Initially it was ‘build it and they will come,’ Meyer admitted. “But we’ve had some conversations with some manufacturers. We’ll build to suit. Obviously, we’d like to get it leased or sold before we break ground.”

Mike Dodds, executive director of Sidney-Shelby Economic Partnership, has encouraged the project.

“Our building vacancy in Shelby County is very low, so when we get inquiries, we don’t have a lot of inventory to respond with. Botkins is desirable from a geographic standpoint and the (industrial park) has all the utilities in place. The demand is there for building space, so it’s good they’re pursuing this,” he said.

Meyer, too, noted Botkins’s good location.

“(From here) you can get anywhere you need to be transportation-wise,” he said.

The edifice will have a clear span, loading docks, rest rooms and 400-amp electricity.

“If we have a company interested in moving in and they need offices, there’s a cost to upfit,” Meyer said. The village has offered a 15-year, 100-percent tax abatement, which would transfer with the ownership of the building.

Meyer hopes that the investors can break gound in June and start construction in July. It should be complete in five to seven months. Companies interested in talking with him about the project can call 937-538-1075.

“Hopefully it brings jobs to Botkins,” he said. “When you look at surrounding villages, you see what it does for the city. We’re pretty proud of Botkins. There’s a lot of opportunity here.”

By Patricia Ann Speelman

[email protected]

Reach the writer at 937-538-4824.

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