releases: https://www.donnelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press/donnelly-army-land-transfer-to-river-ridge-will-continue-economic-growth-and-create-jobs
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.donnelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press/donnelly-army-land-transfer-to-river-ridge-will-continue-economic-growth-and-create-jobs | Donnelly: Army Land Transfer to River Ridge Will Continue Economic Growth and Create Jobs | 2015-10-12 | 2015 | 2015-10 | Democrat | House | IN | Joe Donnelly | D000607 | www.donnelly.senate.gov | legacy | Donnelly: Army Land Transfer to River Ridge Will Continue Economic Growth and Create Jobs Senator helped facilitate resolution involving several high-value areas slated for redevelopment and a closed Army landfill, paving the way for new business and jobs in southeast Indiana Monday, October 12, 2015 Jeffersonville, Ind. Today, U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly welcomed the Army officially transferring major land parcels to River Ridge, ending a long-standing land dispute. At a press conference at River Ridge, Donnelly joined River Ridge Board President Mark Robinson, River Ridge Development Authority Executive Director Jerry Acy, Colonel Christopher Beck, Commander of the US Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District, Jeffersonville Mayor Mike Moore, and Peggy Dorsey with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. The Army presented River Ridge with the deed to several land parcels, including a landfill, allowing River Ridge to move forward with significant new redevelopment projects on high-value areas that are expected to bring new business and jobs to southeast Indiana, while also protecting the health and safety of Hoosiers in the local community. Donnelly has been a key leader during the preceding months of intense negotiations, bringing together the River Ridge Board, the Army, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Louisville,IDEM, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and community stakeholders and leaders to revive stalled discussions and address community concerns. Donnelly said,This is a great day for the River Ridge Commerce Center and our local communities. River Ridge has grown into a significant economic driver for southeast Indiana, bringing new businesses and jobs into our communities. This land transfer will help bring more jobs and opportunity to Clark County, spurring continued economic growth in a way that protects the health and safety of Hoosiers. Im the hired help and was pleased I could help facilitate negotiations and play a role in making sure River Ridge could attract new business and proceed with projects that will fuel economic growth. Over the past year, I have been grateful to work with extraordinary partners, including River Ridge, Army headquarters, the Army Corps, and IDEM, who all worked tirelessly to ensure a positive outcome. Jerry Acy, River Ridge Development Authority, Executive Director, said, Today marks a major milestone in the transfer of Army property to the River Ridge Development Authority (RRDA) for the purpose of replacing the loss of economic activity as a result of the shutdown of the Indiana Army Ammunition Plant. We are grateful for all the efforts by Senator Joe Donnelly and Congressman Todd Young in Washington D. C. This transfer may not have occurred at this time without their diligence supported by the hard work of their respective staffs. With this transfer of approximately 830 acres, there are only 285 acres remaining. The 285 will complete the transfer of the total 6,000 acres in 2016. The RRDA has already achieved significant success in locating major companies to our Commerce Center resulting in over 7,000 new jobs and generating over $1.3 billion in total economic impact for the State of Indiana. The current 830 acres will greatly enhance our marketing efforts since almost 80% of those acres are located between State Road 62 and the new Interstate 265 interchange scheduled to open by October 2016. We expect to continue attracting new corporate investments and many thousand more new jobs to southeastern Indiana in the years to come. Peggy Dorsey, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Environmental Managements Office of Land Quality, said, Like all of the partners involved in this project, IDEM cares about the revitalization and redevelopment of properties for beneficial economic development. We are glad to be part of the efforts to address environmental concerns and help keep the path clear for the continued development of River Ridge Commerce Center. Donnelly and his staff have worked closely with the River Ridge Development Authority for more than a year. After stalled negotiations and repeated attempts to resolve community concerns about the landfill through federal legislation, Donnelly began working with the River Ridge Development Authority on a new round of talks with the Army in September 2014. River Ridge had an opportunity for the first time to share their concerns with the defense oversight committees in Congress, and in the following months, Donnelly continued to facilitate meetings to narrow down issues and address each sides concerns. In April 2015,Donnelly convened a meetingat the River Ridge Commerce Center with federal, state, and local stakeholders to discuss the status and future of the River Ridge Commerce Center. Since then, Donnelly facilitated talks among River Ridge, the Army, EPA, and IDEM to address concerns about potential public health and environmental risks associated with the landfill. As part of his ongoing efforts, Donnelly participated in the River Ridge Board meeting on September 21, 2015, by conference call to go over outstanding issues as the board neared agreement on approving the land transfer, after assurances from the Army that it would stand by a commitment to protect the local community from any risk posed by their landfill, now and for decades to come. Less than 10 days later, the River Ridge Development Authority board passed a resolution approving the land transfer. Donnelly worked with the Office of the Secretary, the Army BRAC Division, and the Army Corps of Engineers to expedite final processing of the deed. Read more about Donnellys efforts,here. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |