United States Census Bureau expands with 335,000 square feet in Jeffersonville's River Ridge Commerce Center
Jeffersonville, Ind. – (February 20, 2009) – One Southern Indiana is pleased to announce the expansion of the United States Census Bureau’s Jeffersonville operations to 700 Patrol Road in River Ridge Commerce Center. The Census Bureau’s National Processing Center will occupy 335,000 square feet of customized space within a 450,000 square foot structure on 30 acres in River Ridge. The State of Indiana certified the site as “Shovel Ready” prior to development and Crossdock Development guided full completion of the Census Bureau space to required specifications over the course of only three months.
The Census Bureau currently employs approximately 150 individuals at the new facility where preparations are under way for Census 2010. The federal agency is not hiring at this time, yet anticipates adding additional staff in late summer 2009. At its peak level of operations, the Census Bureau will employ approximately 500 people at its River Ridge site. With a starting wage of $13.18 per hour, the majority of the Census Bureau’s new hires will be employed as Grade 4 clerks.
“Having this space available has allowed us to reengineer the processes we use to build kits of materials for the decennial census,” said David Hackbarth, director of the National Processing Center. “We have been able to build in efficiencies that would not have been possible in a smaller facility. The work that takes place at 700 Patrol Road will play a critical role in Census 2010.”
Crossdock Development, the largest private landowner in River Ridge Commerce Center, completed the 450,000 square feet speculative building shell in August of 2008.
“With One Southern Indiana’s and the City of Jeffersonville’s tremendous support, we accomplished an amazing feat in such a short time period,” said Lee Wilburn, president of Crossdock Development, Inc. “At any given time, we had 150 workers on-site each day completing an extensive amount of required tenant improvements. It was a real team effort.”
“The Census Bureau is a long-time member of the Southern Indiana community and we are thrilled the agency chose River Ridge for this important expansion,” said Michael Dalby, president of One Southern Indiana. “This new facility and the resulting jobs it will provide is especially welcome news in today’s economy – work on the facility’s completion alone was a real boost. Southern Indiana offers the work force, infrastructure, and facilities to support this kind of growth – and we welcome any opportunity to assist them with future endeavors.”
“More than anything else, job growth depends on building an environment that’s favorable to new investment. Indiana’s shovel-ready program not only expedites the time it takes to open the doors for business, but it is also another tool that gives our state a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining businesses,” said Mitch Roob, Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
“We at River Ridge are very pleased and excited to have the Census Bureau located here,” said Jerry Acy, Executive Director for the River Ridge Development Authority. “This agency plays a very important role in the governance of our country, and we are glad to have small part in that process. Southern Indiana’s economy will definitely benefit from this project.”
“The City of Jeffersonville has enjoyed a long-term partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau, for which we have always been very grateful,” said Jeffersonville Mayor Tom Galligan. ”I am especially encouraged they have chosen to grow their operations at River Ridge Commerce Center. This project and these jobs are welcomed news in these challenging times.”
Since its creation in July 2006, One Southern Indiana’s economic development efforts have resulted in the creation of more than 4,670 net new jobs in Clark and Floyd Counties. The United States Census Bureau represents the organization’s 40th successful project location or expansion. Combined, these 40 locations will contribute more than $186 million in new initial capital and $162.5 million in new annual payroll to Southern Indiana.
About the United States Census Bureau:
The U.S. Census Bureau’s National Processing Center currently employs about 2,100 people at its two locations in Jeffersonville. The NPC expects to add at least 2,000 temporary employees in the city later this year. In addition to supporting the decennial census, the NPC processes monthly, quarterly and annual surveys including demographic, population, economic indicators, housing, business, construction and foreign trade. It also supports the Economic Census, Census of Governments and the Census of Agriculture.
About One Southern Indiana:
One Southern Indiana is a business advancement organization dedicated to supporting entrepreneurship, existing business growth, and attracting new enterprises to the Greater Louisville/Southern Indiana region. Representing more than 1,200 businesses, One Southern Indiana provides its clients with business intelligence, advocacy, and connections solutions in support of regional business innovation. For more information, please visit www.1si.org.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Ginger Wilding Cloud (for One Southern Indiana) – 502.550.7802 or
ginger@distinctive-marketing.com
Heather Mitzel (Census Bureau) – 812.218.3622 or heather.a.mitzel@census.gov
