Jeffersonville: the sunny side of Louisville.

• Author: Odendahl, Marilyn
• Position: Spotlight: Regional Report South

Jeffersonville The Sunny Side of Louisville

Across the Ohio River loom the dark-windowed skyscrapers of Louisville. On a clear day, southbound motorists on Interstate 65 see the imposing towers long before they reach the first Jeffersonville exit.

Small though it may be, the Southern Indiana city maintains an optimistic attitude. In fact, more than an attitude: Jeffersonville maintains itself as a vital asset in the metropolitan Louisville region.

Historic storefronts nestle together along Spring Street while brick mansions dating back to the early part of the century line Riverside Drive overlooking the Ohio River. Among the parks, golf courses and quiet neighborhoods lies a thriving economy. Within the past year, more than $26 million in new investments and 400 new jobs have come into the city.

Greg Fitzloff, director of the Southern Indiana Chamber of Commerce, attributes Jeffersonville's growth to formation of the Southern Indiana Economic Development Council three years ago. Now the chamber assists existing businesses in the area, and the council promotes the area to new businesses. "We now can double the amount of resources," he says.

Up the riverbank spreads JeffBoat, the largest inland shipbuilder in North America. Down the river is Colgate-Palmolive Co., a manufacturing and distribution center. Across town is Kitchen Kompact Inc., maker of kitchen cabinets, and Hillerich & Bradsby, maker of the Louisville Slugger hardwood baseball bats.

This spring, Idemitsu Kosan, Japan's largest oil company, announced plans to build an oil-blending facility at the Clark Maritime Center in Jeffersonville. The $15 million project marks the company's first investment in the United States. The 40-acre facility will begin operation in 1993 with 32 new jobs, with the potential for 120 jobs by 1995.

"They will be a real drawing power," Jeffersonville Mayor Dale Orem says, explaining that now more foreign companies may look to Southern Indiana as they consider expanding or relocating.

When courting businesses to build in Jeffersonville, Brian de St. Croix, director of the Southern Indiana Economic Development Council, says the council first shows the company how it can profit by moving into the area.

One unique quality Jeffersonville has to offer businesses centers is its proximity to Louisville. Companies can order goods and services from Louisville manufacturers without having to move into the large urban area. Company employees, furthermore, can...