The planned closure of part of Pulaski County Road 60 West has prompted concerns from some Winamac officials. Under the plan, trucks entering the Winamac Industrial Park from State Road 14 would still use the road, but would have to pass through a gate controlled by the Braun Corporation. Passenger vehicles would have to find another route.
During Monday’s Pulaski County Commissioners meeting, Winamac Town Council President Tommy Murray questioned the impact of the change on the industrial park. “I’m under the opinion – maybe you’ll tell me if I’m wrong – but you, as commissioners, deciding to do this, don’t care about our industrial park anymore; is that correct? Well, closing the road kills the industrial park,” he said. “You just will not have an industrial park. You might just as well get rid of [Community Development Commission Executive Director] Nathan [Origer] because you’re not going to need him if you don’t have an industrial park anymore. That’s my opinion. I mean, the town went above and beyond to put utility service in there and everything, and you guys are cutting it. You’re just nicking it all.”
Town Manager Brad Zellers noted that the town has several utilities in the right of way, including a lift station. Commissioner Larry Brady said the town is guaranteed access to the area, but stopped short of promising there will never be an issue, for example, if there’s an emergency in the middle of the night. “We’d like to say that 100-percent guaranteed, but I’m being realistic,” he said. “Your one o’clock scenario, that can happen, and I don’t think there would be an issue for utilities companies coming in and taking care of the business they need to.”
Beyond that, Murray also asked if fire and EMS will be able to respond to the area. “They’ve had some accidents at S & S and at Braun’s,” he said. “You know, 15 minutes could be a matter of life or death.” Commissioner Terry Young responded that the Braun Corporation has looked at that issue.
The company is currently having a survey done on the property, before the closure officially takes effect. Braun Corporation officials say the closure would help improve safety in the area. It would also allow them to apply for a $200,000 employee training grant from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, which requires participation from the county.
