Quality of life was No. 3 in a list of top 10 factors businesses considered for site selection in 2016. That’s according to Jeff Pipkin, Hendricks County Economic Development Partnership executive director.
Though it’s typically one of the last things businesses look at, it can be a difference-maker during the late stages of site selection. Once an organization has selected a general area in which it would like to locate, Pipkin said, “a nice-looking community with lots of parks and amenities like the Plainfield Aquatic Center, nice-looking schools, that all adds to the quality of life aspect of economic development.”
Josh Duke, Visit Hendricks County spokesman, agreed. “If you create that quality of life, it’s going to drive visitors here, as well as people wanting to live here.”
According to a study commissioned by Visit Hendricks County, in 2014, “visitors to Hendricks County generated $58.2 million in tax dollars, which saved local households $637 in taxes.” It goes on to say 19% of all money spent by visitors to the county was on recreation and entertainment.
Recent studies have shown recreation development increases the value of surrounding properties. For example, the Indiana University Public Policy Institute found that property value around the Indianapolis Cultural Trail rose by more than $1 billion between 2008 and 2014.
Avon Public Works Director Ryan Cannon and Hendricks County Parks Superintendent Jeremy Weber both reported anecdotal evidence that parks increase property values.
After Avon Town Hall Park was built, Cannon said, the public works department began hearing people were moving to the adjacent Stratford of Avon subdivision to be closer to it.
For the county’s part, a plan to expand McCloud Nature Park in North Salem by acquiring nearby land in phases was put on hold. Due to demand, land around the park became too expensive.
“I think everybody wants to live in a neighborhood that looks nice, is easy to get around, and has amenities such as shopping, parks, and trails,” Cannon said. “Having safe places to ride your bikes, run and stuff like that – I think it’s important to a lot of people.”
Originally published in Hendricks County Business Leader, 2017. Republished here for archival and portfolio purposes.