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Lebanon City Council votes to annex 5,000 acres for innovation park

Economic development officials have said the park will attract billions in investment and high-tech jobs.

LEBANON, Indiana — The Lebanon City Council voted Monday to annex 5,000 acres for the LEAP Lebanon Innovation and Research district.

The Boone County Commissioners issued a statement on the annexation vote, which reads in part:

"We have been cognizant of the potential impacts to the rural and agricultural character of our community and are sensitive to the affected residents. About 600 acres of land will remain in Boone County’s control and we fully support the process of implementing a strategic Planned Unit Development (PUD). We believe that development is inevitable, but we want to ensure it is being handled in the appropriate way. At this point in time, it is our belief that responsible growth may only be achieved through conscientious and deliberate planning.”

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation along with city and county officials have been working on the project, which has been described as an innovation park that could span about 7,000 acres northwest of Lebanon. That would double the city's footprint.

Economic development officials have said the park will attract billions in investment and high-tech jobs. In May, Eli Lilly announced plans to invest $2.1 billion in two new manufacturing sites in Lebanon. The sites will bring up to 500 jobs and 1,500 construction jobs.

But some landowners told 13News at the time that they weren't so excited.

"I have a lovely view here. I've worked hard all my life here to keep it the way it is," said Jim Love, whose family has farmed 200 acres of land for more than 70 years.

Love said he's not interested in selling.

"They want to give me something that I don't want, which is money," he said. "I'm comfortable. I'm happy. I have a lovely home and a lovely view and I can't replace it."

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