Land dispute in Boone County brings hundreds to a community meeting

Over 300 people attended a community meeting Monday night to learn more about the state’s plans to develop an innovation district in Boone County.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation continues to buy property in the county as part of a $164 million investment approved by the State Budget Committee.  The state hopes to attract a variety of advanced manufacturing, life sciences, technology, microelectronics, and semiconductor companies.

Jim Love with the Boone County Preservation Group is concerned farmland will disappear for development.

“I think that's a key thing is we need to talk about the fact that they're just simply trying to attract business. These people aren't chomping at the bit waiting for this land to be purchased so they can move in. Once they get that land from farmers, then they have to go out and sell it to others,” Love said.

He says water is another stumbling block in the project.

“There's barely enough water in Boone County for the city of Lebanon. So not sitting on this large surplus, they've gone to Frankfort to try to drain the aquifer and the seven wells that they drilled.  Six of those were junk and one was partially viable. And so that's been ruled out. There's not enough water south of town to push up from Indianapolis, ”  Love said.

Some farmers felt pressure to sell their land. “The shame of it is that because of the fact it is the state, and the state has hired an out of town, investment, or real estate firm, that's out telling some tall tales and people feel like they've had to sell,” Love said.

Love has a farm near the I-65 and Highway 52 interchange.  He says he will not sell.

The Boone County Preservation Group has grown to more than 1,000 members since forming shortly after the State’s announcement of the high-tech district.

It has gathered nearly 2,400 signatures on a petition protesting the planned land takeover.