The Shelbyville Common Council approved a resolution Monday setting up and economic revitalization area to assist Duke Energy create a local training facility.
The establishment of the economic revitalization area allows Duke Energy to apply for a tax abatement to help construct the new structure.
“The next step is an ordinance to get approval of the tax abatement,” said Shelbyville mayor Tom DeBaun.
Duke Energy representatives have met with the council’s tax abatement committee. The request for approval could come before the common council at its next meeting on March 15.
Before the abatement is approved, there will be a discussion amongst the council on the worthiness of the abatement.
Council member and former mayor Scott Furgeson (R-4th ward) questioned whether Duke Energy has worked well with the city in the past.
“I’m not sure Duke Energy has been very receptive to anything that helps the city,” said Furgeson during the council meeting Monday night.
Councilman Brian Asher (R-at large) countered that Duke Energy, located at 2910 East State Road 44 in Shelbyville, aided in the recruitment of Greenleaf Foods to Shelbyville in 2019.
“I think Scott raises some valid questions to be presented at the next council meeting,” said DeBaun Tuesday afternoon.
Duke Energy is looking for a location for a new training facility that will service Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky.
Most of the training would be performed indoors, according to Jean Renk of Duke Energy.
The facility would potentially bring as many as 300 men and women a year to Shelbyville for training purposes.
“It would be coordinated curriculum over multiple days,” said Renk.
Shelbyville is one of several sites being considered for the regional training facility.
