Scott County Redevelopment Board explores strategies to boost development with infrastructure and marketing plans

By Sharon Estep

Josh Hillman, president of D.C. Develop and representing Christiani Excavating, recently presented to the Scott County Redevelopment Board, offering insights into the county's redevelopment potential and the steps needed to capitalize on its assets. Hillman highlighted the county's prime location along I-65, making it attractive for both industrial and residential development. However, he stressed that Scott County must improve its readiness to compete with other regions by preparing development sites and addressing infrastructure challenges.

Hillman emphasized that while the county has strong fundamentals, it has lagged in providing potential investors with necessary data and reports to move forward. “We can't afford to get passed up if we don't have the right information for buyers when they come looking,” he noted, urging the board to focus on making sites “shovel-ready” for future projects.

The discussion also touched on the county's ongoing drainage issues, particularly in the Austin and Scottsburg areas. Hillman acknowledged the high costs of addressing these problems but affirmed his team's commitment to finding funding solutions and improving local infrastructure.

Jason Applegate of Extol Media, wo has worked alongside Hillman on promoting Austin, stressed the importance of strategic marketing. He suggested that Scott County focus on building a cohesive narrative to highlight its strengths and growth potential, similar to the successful “Energize Austin” campaign.

Board members expressed their support for the efforts, agreeing that Scott County must take a more aggressive approach to redevelopment. With industrial land in nearby areas like River Ridge in Jeffersonville, nearing full commitment, the board recognized the opportunity for Scott County to position itself as the next destination for industrial and residential growth.

The board also discussed the importance of reviewing past geotechnical reports and soil evaluations to save costs in future development efforts. While some services-such as media and marketing-come at a cost, they agreed these are crucial to attracting investors and ensuring long-term growth.

As Scott County moves forward the focus will be on aligning its infrastructure readiness, marketing strategies, and collaborative efforts to promote sustainable development and attract new industries to the area.