Economic development efforts are heating up in Hancock County, where major manufacturers continue to invest in local facilities and officials are working to expand build-ready industrial space in Lewisport to attract small and mid-size businesses.
Mike Baker, Economic Development Director for the Hancock County Industrial Foundation, said the county’s “big three” manufacturers — Domtar, Commonwealth Rolled Products, and Southwire — continue to be economic cornerstones for the region.
“All three continue to grow and invest in the local plants,” Baker said. “That’s a real testament to the employees, to the management team, and to the community.”
While the county celebrates long-term partnerships with its industrial giants, Baker said the Foundation is also working to expand its reach by supporting smaller businesses and targeting growth in the Lewisport Industrial Park. Officials are seeking state support through the Product Development Initiative to help purchase and develop 43 adjacent acres.
“That would increase the acreage we have available for small-to-mid-size businesses,” Baker said. “We’re focused on how we can be a destination for those industries that not only support our large manufacturers, but others in the region.”
Several businesses already call the park home, including First Class Services, Precision Roll Grinders, Crescent Paper Tube, CME, and Clearview Glass. Baker said they hope to continue growing the area’s appeal through additional infrastructure and site readiness.
A key part of that plan is creating “build-ready” sites — land that has been prepped for development with grading, road access, and infrastructure such as gas and electricity.
“That means a new business can come in and start building immediately, rather than having to develop a site from scratch,” Baker said. “It helps companies get their product to market faster. It can be costly, and that’s why programs like the Product Development Initiative are imperative to Hancock County.”
Baker acknowledged growing conversations statewide — including in Hancock County — about data centers, which require enormous amounts of electricity but offer relatively few long-term jobs. While Hancock County has fielded inquiries, he emphasized that no projects are currently in development.
“We’ve had some of those discussions, like every other surrounding county has,” Baker said. “But there’s nothing active on the table right now.”
He said many communities are weighing how to handle such proposals, especially in areas with limited electrical capacity.
“If a data center comes in and uses 250 megawatts of power, that’s half a smelter,” Baker said. “That could potentially power 10 factories that would employ a thousand people. So how do you balance that?”
Though Baker said he’s no expert on utility pricing, he referenced discussions among state leaders — including Sen. Robbie Mills — about implementing a “power tariff,” which could require data centers to pay a premium for power due to their low employment impact.
“We’ll have to take a long, hard look at what our electrical capability is,” Baker said, noting the topic is also tied to broader debates over clean energy and coal infrastructure.
Baker remains optimistic about the county’s future, citing large-scale investments from the county’s leading manufacturers.
Baker said the Industrial Foundation operates with the community in mind and strives to protect its companies’ competitive advantages and support their long-term success.
“We want to be a place where businesses choose to grow,” he said. “And when that happens, it’s good for the plant, it’s good for the workers, and it’s good for the community.”
