Economic Growth

Industry came early to Union County. Elisha Cockefair, born in Essex County, New Jersey, came to Union County in 1820, and soon established a woolen mill on Eli's Creek on a farm that included land in both Union and Fayette Counties. The factory, one of the first west of the Alleghany Mountains, stood near the Fayette County line. When the Civil War came, he and his son, Sylvanes, were ready to supply the great demand for uniforms and blankets, and as a result they became among the wealthiest men in the county. The machinery was bought about 1925 for the Henry Ford Museum of Early American Industry, the building was torn down in 1930 and moved to Dearborn Village in Michigan.

In 1984, the Development Corporation purchased 10 acres from Omar Dale and Joan Fields for a Commercial Park, located in Liberty Township on Industries Park Road just south of Indiana State Road 44.

In 1986, the Economic Development Corporation wrote its first long-term strategic plan. The plan called for a full-time professional staff to aid in the economic development process. It also took note of the importance of tourism to the county and determined that the Corporation should aid in tourism development in any manner possible. As a result, the Union County Chamber of Commerce, the Union County Development Corporation and the Merchants Association reorganized into a single group managed by an Executive Committee and governed by a Board of Directors representing a broad range of interests in Union County.

In 1995 Union County was contacted by the Indiana Department of Commerce indicating Union County was a site selection for the NSK Corporation. County officials, local businessmen and utility personnel met with NSK representatives and over a period of time with all the hurdles successfully cleared, Union County was selected as the site for the new Bearing Component Plant. The new factory began to take shape in February of 1996 and by May, NSK was using the Development Corporation office to recruit employees. In August they moved their recruitment to the factory and a grand opening ceremony was held in September.

In April of 1998, the Union County Development Corporation moved to its present site at 5 West High Street.

Also in 1998, the Union County Development Corporation donated a parcel of land in its Commercial Park to the town of Liberty to be used for a new water tower for the community.

In 1999, the Development Corporation sold its last lot in the commercial Park to a local business.

Early in the year 2000 the building at 5 West High Street was purchased by the Union County Development Corporation, giving it a permanent home for the first time in its existence.

Also in 2000, NSK, the Bearing Componet Plant that located to Union County in 1997 added 80,000 square feet to the plant and doubled the number of employees.