Spec building to attract EV suppliers proposed

Tyler Juranovich, Kokomo Tribune, Ind.
·2 min read

Mar. 14—A developer is seeking a rezoning to construct a "spec" building aimed at enticing electric vehicle suppliers or other similar businesses.

Konrad Meinzer, owner of the property at 414 E. 400 just north of the Stellantis Indiana Transmission Plant, is requesting a rezoning from agriculture to high intensity industrial/heavy manufacturing. The request will be heard in front of the Kokomo City Council as early as this month after receiving a unanimous favorable recommendation Tuesday from the Kokomo Plan Commission.

Rob Young, vice president of special projects for Fort Wayne's The Hagerman Group and the one representing the developer, HH Kokomo Spec I LLC, said the proposed project includes a 150,000 square feet shell, or "spec," building on the roughly 22-acre property to attract a new business or for an expansion or relocation of an existing business.

Young said the building will be primarily marketed to EV suppliers to complement both StarPlus Energy EV battery manufacturing plants.

The same developer is building a similar sized spec building off of I-69 in Allen County for SH America, a Korean battery cap manufacturer that will be a supplier for StarPlus Energy, the joint-venture between Stellantis and Samsung SDI.

"It's our goal, obviously, to bring that same type of product much closer to StarPlus Energy," Young said about the proposed spec building in Howard County.

The property is under a purchase option agreement. HH Kokomo Spec I's agent is listed as Martin Huttenlocker, of Fort Wayne-based Logan Properties.

The rezoning approval is subject to successful annexation of the property into the city, the process of which is underway, City Attorney TJ Rethlake said.

Tyler Juranovich can be reached at 765-454-8577, by email at tyler.juranovich@kokomotribune.com or on Twitter at @tylerjuranovich.