SHELBYVILLE, Indiana – Architectural plans are complete and construction is now underway for a new 50,000 sq. ft. flexible-use facility in the Intelliplex technology park here, according to Scott Furgeson, mayor of Shelbyville. The new $7 million facility is expected to attract high-tech start-ups, academic engagement and other opportunities for company expansion and relocation.

"This new facility is good news both for the people of Shelby County and for Indiana, given that it increases the potential for attracting new companies and jobs to the region," said Mitch Roob, Indiana Secretary of Commerce and CEO of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC).

According to Chris King, executive vice president of Runnebohm Construction, the new building is expected to be completed and open for business by May of 2011. Ratio Architects, the architects for the new facility, designed the building to accommodate a wide range of possible tenants.

The new Intelliplex facility has already served to attract interest to the region. "We are in final negotiations with more than one potential tenant for the flex facility, which include software start-ups, higher education organizations, and bio-medical companies," said Amy Haacker, director of Redevelopment for the city of Shelbyville.

Intelliplex holds Certified Technology Park (CTP) status by the state, which is administered by IEDC. The park was re-certified by IEDC under the CTP program earlier in 2010, which gives Intelliplex a number of options to help attract or create high-wage and high-impact jobs in the park.

Mayor Furgeson noted that the new building represents "a key component for expanding growth opportunities in Intelliplex and in the region."

The new two-story facility will be owned by Garmong Municipal Development Company, LLC of Terre Haute, Indiana and leased back to the City of Shelbyville.

"This new flexible facility gives the city and the county numerous options for attracting both established companies and start-ups," said Jack Horner, president and CEO of Major Health Partners. "When Major Hospital purchased the land and worked with Shelby County and Shelbyville officials for several years to build Intelliplex, creating these types of opportunities for the city and county was exactly what the Major Hospital Board of Directors had in mind."

Horner also stated that the new facility fits directly into the three business cluster strategy planned originally for Intelliplex: human life sciences, animal life sciences and information technology. The Purdue School of Veterinary Medicine is completing plans to build a $10 million equine surgery center immediately adjacent to Intelliplex, which will advance the animal life sciences goals of the park. Major Health Partners has built and presently operates medical centers for orthopedics, oncology and cardiology in Intelliplex, which fit the human life sciences cluster strategy, according to Horner.

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About Shelbyville, Indiana Shelbyville represents a forward-looking city of more than 18,000 in southeast Indiana. Located in Shelby County on I-74 near the city of Indianapolis, Shelbyville is home to numerous advanced manufacturing firms supporting building, automotive and high-tech industries. The city is also home to Intelliplex, a state certified technology park. For more information, please visit www.cityofshelbyvillein.com.

About Intelliplex Representing a strategic location for progressive economic development, the Intelliplex technology park was the third facility established under the State of Indiana's Certified Technology Park program to accelerate high-impact job creation, private investment and diversification of the southeast Indiana regional economy. More than 200 jobs have been created in Intelliplex since its opening and more than $50 million has been invested in the 140-acre park. In addition to high-tech companies like Makuta Technics, Intelliplex is home to three medical centers of Major Health Partners: the ReNovo Orthopaedic Center, the Benesse Oncology Center, and the UnaVie cardiology center. For more information, please visit www.majorhp.org.

About Runnebohm Construction Runnebohm Construction Company, Inc., provides clients in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, and Kentucky with high-quality construction services since 1968. Founded by Nick Runnebohm, the company has focused on understanding the needs of its clients and exceeding expectations in Design/Build and the Commercial, Industrial, and Retail construction markets, including "green" LEED design. The company is known as an industry expert in developing and implementing solutions to meet its client's needs. The company has adopted a "Solutions. Not Surprises." philosophy to describe the value engineering process that takes place during the planning phases and throughout construction of each project. Headquartered in Shelbyville, Indiana, Runnebohm is a member of the Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) and a member of the Metal Building Contractors & Erectors Association. Through ABC, Runnebohm Construction has been named an "Accredited Quality Contractor" for its demonstrated commitment in worker safety, benefits, training, and community involvement. For more information, please visit www.runnebohm.com.