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Weinzapfel gives speech to local leaders

By Gretchen Ross - bio | email | Twitter
Posted by Jill Lyman - email

EVANSVILLE, IN (WFIE) - In a speech to local business leaders, Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel says despite the bad news from Whirlpool, the city will make up for those jobs.  

Mayor Weinzapfel says while there are challenges ahead for Evansville's economy. He adds there's 100 percent chance of innovation for the city including the arena and expansion of industry.  

It's been almost two months since the city of Evansville received the news the Whirlpool plant will close its doors here mid next year.

Despite 1100 jobs leaving the area, Mayor Weinzapfel stays optimistic.

"We're looking to create a Midwestern center for innovation and design at the Whirlpool Site," said Weinzapfel.  "There's some real innovative stuff that we are leading not only the state, but frankly the nation."

Weinzapfel says while Evansville is certainly not immune to the national economic downturn, he points to recent expansions at American General, Mead Johnson, and Berry Plastics bringing hundreds of jobs to the area.

He also says now is the time to move forward with the arena.

We can build an arena downtown without raising taxes, and put literally hundreds of people to work here in the next couple of months," said Mayor Weinzapfel. "That makes sense as an economic stimulus for the local economy. Plus it's a very practical decision because it makes absolutely no sense to put tens of millions into the existing Roberts Stadium."

One business leader agrees.

"If we stay placid in one place, we won't grow," said Deron Hawkins of Energy Systems Group. "It's something we have to have to bring outside individuals in to see that Evansville is a great city, not just some place on a map on the Ohio River."

A few of those changes to bring growth and innovation to downtown start Tuesday.

"We start demolition on the Lopp and Lopp building. We will be doing some sewer work on the site the following week," said Mayor Weinzapfel. "We are hopeful browning will start demolition on part of the Executive Inn in the next few weeks.

Mayor Weinzapfel says the city is also looking into narrowing down a list of professional hockey teams to play at the arena in the next few weeks.

The mayor's full speech is here.

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