Joined by local elected officials and business leaders today, AT&T announced that Michigan City’s Woodruff Business Park is the latest Indiana location to be certified as being AT&T Fiber Ready, and the first in LaPorte Co.
“The Fiber Ready program is part of our continuing efforts to drive economic development and investment in the Hoosier state,” said AT&T Indiana President Bill Soards. “Today’s designation means that Woodruff Business Park has been equipped with AT&T’s fiber infrastructure – it’s in place and ready to help local businesses grow.
“Thanks to the tireless work of AT&T employees in Northwest Indiana and across the state, we’ve been able to deploy fiber and other infrastructure that deliver high-speed internet access,” Soards added. “Our employees’ dedication, combined with nearly $2 billion invested by AT&T in both rural and urban communities over the last 3 years, is enabling Hoosiers to connect and innovate.”
In today’s world, connectivity is vital to new employers and businesses of every type. There’s no such thing as a “low-tech” business today, so economic development leaders must be able to tout the presence of high-speed internet connectivity.
“We are happy to now be able to promote the Woodruff Business Park as an AT&T Fiber Ready site,” said Michigan City Mayor Ron Meer. “Having the very latest technologies available is certainly something that site selectors are looking for, and we’re certain AT&T’s investment will help to attract additional positive attention to the location.”
“In a world economy that is changing so quickly, having a strong technology infrastructure in place is a necessity,” said Indiana House Democratic Leader Scott Pelath (D-Michigan City). “Today’s announcement will make sure that the Woodruff Business Park is even more attractive to those people looking for a top-tier spot to create or boost their businesses.”
The Woodruff Business Park, formerly known as the Millennium Business Park, is a 100-acre business park developed by the Roy J. Woodruff Family and Woodruff & Sons, Inc. in 1999. Over the years, several companies have moved into the park but shovel-ready sites are still available. With access to rail, close proximity to the interstate, utilities in place, and now the AT&T Fiber Ready certification, local economic development leaders say the park is ideal for any company looking to relocate or expand in Michigan City.
“We welcome this opportunity to shine the spotlight on the availability of fiber in this fantastic business park,” said Economic Development Corporation Michigan City Executive Director Clarence Hulse. “Both the community and the facilities within the park will benefit from having advanced technologies like this.”
“This designation adds to Michigan City and Northwest Indiana’s already tremendous workforce and education assets,” said Northwest Indiana Forum President and CEO Heather Ennis. “It will help us make the most of opportunities to bring jobs and investment to the area.”
To learn more about the Woodruff Business Park or for more information on the Economic Development Corporation Michigan City, please call 219-873-1211.