RIVER RIDGE COMMERCE CENTER IMPACTING THE LOCAL ECONOMY 2024

The River Ridge Development Authority manages the River Ridge Commerce Center, simplifying and strengthening the ever-evolving needs of approximately 80 firms so they can look to the future, knowing they have a strong foundation and plentiful resources.

In its 2023 annual report, River Ridge said it worked to secure new business and industry relationships in 2023. These new partners are projected to invest $ 942.7 million and bring in 1,961 new jobs over the coming years.

Among the business it cited was Canadian Solar, which announced an $ 800 million investment building a 5 GW Solar PV cell production facility that will offer 1,200 of our neighbors careers focused on the future of energy.

In addition, The Cheesecake Factory, one of FORTUNE Magazine’ s“ 100 Best Companies to Work for,” announced its third national bakery production facility in Southern Indiana, anchoring the Charlestown side of the River Ridge Commerce Center. The $ 74 million investment will employ more than 200 people.

In 2023, River Ridge said it made multi-million-dollar investments in crucial infrastructure, including a new water main, utility connections and roadways to better connect businesses at the crossroads of commerce. It also said it plans to invest $ 200 million in infrastructure projects over the next decade.

By the end of January, 2024, River Ridge announced that Meta, owners of Facebook, Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp, was making an $ 800 million investment in a data center there. The data center is expected to be completed in 2026 and will provide 100 operational jobs. It will be Meta’ s 18th data center in the U. S. and the 22nd one in the world. The building will be supported 100 % by renewable energy.

STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL IMPACT

Income And Sales Tax- Indiana Impact Only

Year 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Local Income Tax Rev( Millions) 7.1 7.6 7.5 8.2 9.1 9.2 State Income Tax Rev( Millions) 15.6 17.5 17.2 17.2 19 21 State Sales Tax Rev( Millions) 17 17 16.8 18.8 20.7 19.2

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0 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

SOURCE: River Ridge Commerce Center

Marc A. Hildenbrand, who was appointed River Ridge Executive Director after the retirement in 2025 of Jerry Acy, and Wendy Dant Chesser, Chief Director of Corporate Strategy and External Affairs, work in the corporate offices with the view of the commerce center behind them.

2025 snapshot | a special publication of the News and Tribune

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