Feasibility Study done for Training Facility at Grissom
Thursday, August 14, 2008
By SHERRY LOSHNOWSKY
Tribune Staff Writer
It will cost at least $10 million to renovate an area at Grissom Aeroplex to bring a state public safety training facility there according
to the results of a feasibility study.
Officials with the Miami County Economic Development Authority have been working with the state on this possible project for quite some time now. So far there's no local money invested in the project other than a 10 percent match for the cost of the study. That 10 percent is to be reimbursed to
MCEDA by the state. The rest was funded through a federal grant.
The study which was completed by Interact Business Group revealed the cost to revamp the site into a training facility could be anywhere from
$10.3 million to $18.8 million, depending on the extensiveness of the project. The low end includes minimal work for classrooms, etc., while the
higher figure represents a site with "props" like a driving course or a smoke house.
According to the results, said Jim Tidd, executive director of MCEDA, there is a need for a training site like this one in the state. He told
MCEDA board members Wednesday that 66 different courses could be taught at Grissom for police and fire officials, EMTs, first responders and other
public safety workers.
The old dormitory area at Grissom, which includes at 23 acres, is the property being studied.
Tidd said currently the Indiana Department of Homeland Security is working with the governor and lieutenant governor to work out the details of
the project.
"They're trying to determine if this is cost efficient, where the funds would come from that's all still to be determined," he explained.
ProAssets Web Design & SEO
