CRANE, Ind. (Dec. 19, 2008) – Things continue to unfold on a positive note at the WestGate Technology Park -- an ambitious project near Crane Village that's a joint effort of Greene, Daviess, and Martin counties.

New state-of-the art buildings continue to go up and new jobs are being created.

The tech park is being developed by WestGate Development, LLC -- based in suburban Indianapolis.

The WestGate team recently had a management restructuring with architect Dale Ankrom taking over the primary leadership role. He also heads up D.E.A. Inc. Architecture, of Indianapolis.

He's taken on some additional investors and is optimistic about the future of the WestGate project.

Former team members Steve Henke and Gerald Throgmartin are no longer involved at WestGate.

Henke, a Hamilton County attorney, and Throgmartin, the retired founder of H.H. Gregg stores, are now involved in some joint development efforts in Florida and were unable to devote the needed time to the local project, according to Ankrom.

Despite a struggling national economy, Ankrom has an optimistic vision of where WestGate is headed in the next year.

"What we are doing and how it is completely counter to what is happening nationwide," Ankrom recently told the Greene County Daily World. "We are so very fortunate to have the opportunities that are not merely knocking on the door, but banging on several doors.

"I use the word opportunity a lot regarding WestGate. Don't ever take that lightly. We are an island of hope, prosperity and opportunity, where we are surrounded by very troubled waters. NSWC Crane is certainly our foundation and with the assistance from the communities, their civic leaders and the state, we are forging ahead with the emergence of an entirely new community. We envision not only defense contractor facilities, but shops, restaurants, daycare, hotel and conference center, training facilities, offices and university/academia components."

Current tenants in the WestGate Tech Park include defense contractors: Technology Service Corporation, MLE Enterprises, NAVMAR, EG&G, SAIC and STIMULUS Engineering Services. The park is also home to the headquarters operations of the Crane Federal Credit Union, which directly serves NSA Crane base employees and residents of the region.

A major retail center, including a hotel and fiber-optic-linked conference center, is being planned and construction is expected to begin soon.

"We now have facilities to house almost 300 people. We are also now planning for 2009, construction of at least three more buildings and hopefully more," Ankrom said. "We are working hard to involve Greene County in the mix of new structures. This includes a 24,000 square feet facility in Greene County as a Build-to-Suit for an entity presently located out of state. They could add well-over 125 new jobs to the community. Additionally, we hope to begin a spec building of over 18,000 square feet in Greene County, similar to the two buildings built to the south of the Greene County sector."

Ankrom is also forging head with plans to upgrade the county road that provides access to tech park buildings.

"We will also help to improve the roadways throughout the park and in Greene County as well. We cannot stress the importance of adequate infrastructure and its role in obtaining quality users within the park and their ability to function at a high level. We are also planning perhaps two or more new structures in other areas of the technology park. It is our hope and goal to begin construction of these facilities in early spring 2009," Ankrom said.

The developer said aside from providing about 275 jobs since the park started two years ago, other employment opportunities have been provided.

"We (as developers) are employing over 100 people to produce these new wonderful facilities. And most all are from the local areas. We should all be very proud of what has been accomplished to-date and hopefully, most all will share in our vision for a great future. The face and landscape of our tech park community is now forever changed. However, we never want to lose sight of that word and what it means. Opportunity. We have something that very few in America have at this moment and that is a real chance at excelling in otherwise very bleak economic times. We will not allow this opportunity to slip away,"

He added, "The excitement is here in southern Indiana and we do not intend on letting up. Opportunity abounds for so many in 2009 and beyond."