As Fishers moves forward with economic development plans for Metropolitan Airport, just north of 96th Street and East of Allisonville Road, Duke Energy has provided those plans with a shot-in-the-arm.  According to my news-gathering partners at the Hamilton County Reporter, Duke has announced that 200 acres of airport property are now in Duke’s Site Readiness Program.

Local officials have received site development recommendations from Strategic Development Group. In addition, Banning Engineering of Plainfield has produced a desktop review, conceptual drawings and a marketing sheet for the site. These materials can be incorporated into the local plan to attract more jobs to the  community.

Duke Energy has also presented a $10,000 check to the local economic development group in order to help implement the consultant’s recommendations.

“The Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport is an exciting new area for development in our city,” said Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness in a Duke Energy news release. “As we work towards a smart, vibrant, and entrepreneurial Fishers, it is vital that we take a comprehensive approach to economic development in all corners of our community. Fishers’ participation in the Duke Energy Site Readiness Program is an important step in the development of this land and the city’s future. ”

According to Duke, the Site Readiness Program identifies, evaluates and improves sites in the company’s service territory for potential large business or industrial development.

Since 2008, the Duke has participated in the creation of nearly 26,000 jobs and total capital investment of approximately $5.9 billion.