Heating up in Southwest Indiana: getting I-69 done, retail development and the Freedom Festival.

AS WE PROCEED INTO the heat of summer, things are definitely heating up in southwest Indiana. The announcement that Crane's Naval Surface Warfare Center made the list of military bases to remain open will save most of the 4,000 jobs affiliated with the base. And the governor's recent trip to

The greatest commitment to state economic development would be to move forward on the Interstate 69 project. While commenting on I-69, the governor expressed concern about the ongoing dilemma of how to pay for it. I-69 is a project that is desperately needed not only for the southwest portion of the state but for all of Indian--and will complete a much-needed corridor through the Midwest. The governor mentioned that it might include the possibility of a toll road to complete the project. The majority of travelers--business and pleasure--and trucking-company executives would gladly pay a fair toll for the privilege to drive on a modern highway from Evansville to Indianapolis. As funding of state projects dwindles, the voters realize that alternate ways to procure funds are a must. Let's get it done.

As southwest Indiana heats up, so does employment. According to the recent Indiana Workforce Development report, the Evansville MSA added 800 jobs in April 2005. Statewide, there were 2,000 more jobs in April compared to March. We see a lot of these jobs in the construction industry, as new housing starts are up and commercial permits are gaining.

Continued growth on the west side of Evansville is at least in part due to the tremendous growth and continued success of the University of Southern Indiana. With another projected enrollment increase for this fall, USI is one of the fastest-growing universities in the Midwest. The recent opening of a Super Wal-Mart, projected opening of a new Sears store in the old Wal-Mart center, and a new Kohl's department store are all on the west-side corridor leading to USI. The northwest side of Evansville is celebrating the recent announcement that Rural King has purchased a 117,000-square-foot former Kmart facility that has been vacant for more than 10 years. Rural King offers a product mix of livestock feed, farm-equipment parts, lawn mowers, clothing and housewares. Plans are for a new retail store in part of it and warehousing and distribution in the remaining space.