Plainfield.

• Author: Kelly, Bob
• Position: Indiana - City Spotlight

For decades, Plainfield was a sleepy town west of Indianapolis. Not anymore. The wake-up call has rung for the Hendricks County town.

"Things are growing so fast here that the brochures outlining this community will be dated by the time they return from the printers," says Dan Theobald, president of the Greater Plainfield Chamber of Commerce.

The biggest opportunity Plainfield officials hope to cash in on is the United Airlines maintenance hub under construction at the Indianapolis airport. Theobald says the 10-year project, expected to employ more than 6,000 people, should have a direct impact on Plainfield.

"Hopefully, companies that will be suppliers to the airport facility will want to come to Plainfield and settle here," he says.

The Airwest Business Park is the development in which community leaders hope new businesses decide to land. The industrial park, located on Indiana 67 between U.S. 40 and Interstate 70, hopes to attract distribution facilities, light manufacturing and business offices.

"We made the decision on this development 2 1/2 years ago," says Mac McNaught, spokesman for Denison Properties Inc., the company developing the park. "It's a good business location with quick interstate access and great access to the airport."

Denison will develop 100 acres of the park in its first phase. Upon completion, the park will cover 250 acres.

With the expected growth comes strength from established community mainstays. PSI Energy should continue to be the cornerstone of Plainfield's business community. PSI Energy fought off a takeover bid by Indianapolis Power & Light Co. and gained shareholder approval for a merger with Cincinnati Gas & Electric Co. The merger is expected to be finalized in the fall.

The newly formed CINergy will keep headquarters for the electric utility in Plainfield, while taking holding-company operations to Cincinnati.

"We have committed to a smooth consolidation with no layoffs," says PSI spokeswoman Angeline Protegere, who notes that the only job losses would come through a possible early-retirement program for PSI's 1,100 Plainfield employees.

Galyan's, Plainfield's second-largest employer, is in its fourth decade of serving the community with high expectations.

Galyan's opened its doors in 1960 primarily as a boat, fishing and marine accessories store. As competition and...