Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Claypool town council president Don Miller said he was "buckling his seat belt" for the ride ahead - steering the town's growth and development as the Louis Dreyfus Corp. builds and then operates the largest biofuel complex in the world just outside town limits.
Don Miller, four-term councilman, serves along with Larry Neher and David Dills. Nikki Miller is clerk-treasurer.
Don Miller said the Wednesday announcement is a godsend.
The town's efforts will be directed toward providing sewer service. The town's wastewater treatment plant is capable of handling the plant's basic needs. Eventually, the Louis Dreyfus facility will have its own treatment plant.
"No one in town has been negative, although some people outside of town have expressed concerns about the environment," Miller said, adding that he toured the Morristown facility last summer and found it odor- and noise-free.
"One of our biggest concerns is how to handle housing for the expected 300 construction workers," he said. "They'll need temporary housing during the construction phase.
"I'm sure there's going to be a lot of scrambling, but we'll come up with something."
Construction is expected to take 16 to 18 months. The arrival of 300 builders rivals the town's population of 311 (according to the 2000 U.S. Census).
There are 112 households and 88 families there. The town area is about four-tenths of a mile by four-tenths of a mile.
Two rail lines run through the town where a thriving grainery once operated. The grainery was torn down a couple of years ago after sitting vacant for many years.
Claypool Elementary School was closed in September 2003, a decision the current Warsaw Community School board of directors is re-evaluating.
One establishment in the town serves food and alcohol.
Changes in Claypool already have begun. Miller said two or three homes, which have stood vacant for years, have been completely renovated, with the idea of offering lodging.
"It is going to affect the housing market to some extent. It won't happen overnight but there will be development down the road," said Miller.
One of the first developments will be improvements to the Ind. 15 overpass.
The intersection with CR 700S link to the highway north of the overpass and at its southern end.
This stretch of road has been considered dangerous for years because of high speeds and lack of visibility. Travelers are warned with hazard lights to reduce their speed when approaching the structure.
"It's been a problem for years," Miller said. "Now we have an opportunity to make improvements, but I haven't heard anything official.
"We will try to be a good host. Louis Dreyfus has expressed their interest in becoming a good neighbor to the community."
Rezonings and development will be controlled at the county level, Miller said, although the Claypool and Silver Lake town councils have been meeting to discuss land-use issues.
