by Kevin Lilly
DELPHI — The City of Delphi and the Carroll County Economic Development Corporation have announced the sale of the former Globe Valve building in Delphi.
A team of regional investors headed by Carroll County resident Jeff VanWeelden purchased the site. Agreement was reached with Globe International earlier this month. VanWeelden’s team will rehabilitate and remodel the structure and lease space to future manufacturing and warehouse tenants.
“We are excited to have this facility being renovated and put back into use,” said Daryl Smith, Carroll County Economic Development director. “This has been a community goal, and it’s wonderful to see it being realized. This holds great potential for future jobs and growth.”
Delphi Mayor Randy Strasser and Smith have been working with VanWeelden’s group and Globe International throughout the past year and a half.
“I'm excited about the opportunities that this opens up for the county,” said Strasser. “With this property being put back into use again soon, it sends a signal to other developers that Delphi is a good place to have their business and to live. Not only is this a positive sign for local businesses but it gives hope to the local residents that jobs are coming back to the city.”
Renovations to the 150,000-square-foot facility located on North Washington Street have already begun.
“The roof has been leaking and there is water damage to repair right now,” VanWeelden said. “We expect the work to be done by the middle of next spring.”
VanWeelden, who also owns Indiana Waste Systems of Monticello, hopes to attract two manufacturing or warehousing firms to the renovated space.
Once completed, the area that includes the building will be known as Delphi Industrial Park LLC.
“We are excited to be working with Mr. VanWeelden and look forward to a continued relationship with him and our other businesses and industries in the Delphi area,” Strasser said.
The purchase included a detached, 25,000-square-foot building that Strasser says he is interested in acquiring in order to move the street department and other services into. He plans to begin talks with the city council in the near future.
• Kevin Lilly is news editor of the Pharos-Tribune. He can be reached at 574-732-5117 or kevin.lilly@pharostribune.com.
