Building permit has nothing to do with proposed industrial park

A Pulaski County Commissioners’ meeting on Sept. 19 had some residents shaking their head in confusion about the west side proposed industrial park. 
During the meeting Pulaski County Commissioner Bud Krohn Jr. accused Pulaski County Community Development Commission Executive Director Nathan Origer as trying to “snowball” the county. He said the proposed industrial park is “all phony.” 
As the conversation continued, Krohn Jr. said someone, no names were given, has obtained a building permit and accused Origer of not knowing about it. 
Origer said the person who obtained the building permit had discussed being interested in the proposed industrial park but had not made any commitment. Origer also said the county lost a manufacturer because there was not an industrial area with railroad access in the county. 
Krohn Jr. questioned why Origer doesn’t ask businesses to come to Winamac. “You want to build out there in the swamp,” Krohn Jr. said. 
At the time of the commissioners’ meeting, Origer reminded the commissioners that the economic-development strategic plan was created in 2010 before he was a part of the community development commission (CDC). 
Origer said the park is needed for future growth, whereas currently he is passing up 25-30 percent of businesses who are looking for land because Pulaski County does not offer an industrial park with a railroad. 
After the meeting, Origer further explained about the business permit in question. He said the building that the permit was obtained for will be used for storage and will not be built on the proposed industrial park property but instead on the owner’s current property.