Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
BLOOMFIELD – In her 17 years in economic development, Brianne Jerrels has fielded requests from countless developers looking for buildable land. The executive director of Greene County Economic Development would respond to each request for a proposal, but rarely did it lead to an investment.
Earlier this month, it was announced that a major Department of Defense contractor will build a munitions campus on 550 acres five miles south of Bloomfield on Harvest Church Road. It’s expected to bring 375 jobs by 2032.
Prometheus Energetics will locate its headquarters and solid rocket motor production facility on the property. Once complete, it will be the third largest producer of SRMs in the United State. Construction is expected to start in the second half of this year and the facility will be operational by 2027.
“In 17 years, I’ve never seen a project lead this size, let alone be considered for it and then win it,” Jerrels said.
Prometheus will serve as the anchor of a munitions campus that will be built by the American Center for Manufacturing & Innovation. In February 2024, ACMI announced its plans to build a munitions campus and was considering locations near Crane Army Ammunition Activity and Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane.
Bloomfield’s proximity to NSWC Crane and Crane AAA put Greene County in contention for being selected by the developer but Jerrels said the county still had to prove it could support a project of that scale.
“Greene County showed up,” she said. “At that first site meeting, we were ready to present to them why they should choose Greene County. We were all on the same page and had the attitude of ‘We can do this for you.’ I think that confidence resonated with them.”
Greene County provided a package of incentives as did the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. The county will make improvements to Harvest Church Road to handle increased traffic. Because the site lacks utilities, Prometheus and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc., will build in fiber, gas, electricity, water and sanitary sewer.
What this means for defense innovation
Prometheus Energetics is a joint venture between Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. and RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. According to a press release from Kratos, Kratos and RAFAEL USA have jointly committed up to $175 million in capital for the establishment of Prometheus.
After construction of the plant and once RAFAEL’s technology transfer is completed and certified for operations, Prometheus is projected to begin production in 2027 of SRMs.
RAFAEL is known as a leader in defense systems. It is the developer and manufacturer of unique systems such as the Iron Dome and the TROPHY APS, which are in service in the Israeli Defense Forces.
A recent article in the Sustainability Times about Prometheus Energetics said the project will bolster the US defense industrial base by enhancing the production capacity of SRMs. “The establishment of Prometheus Energetics marks a pivotal moment in the defense industry, particularly in the realm of solid rocket motors (SRMs),” reported the Sustainability Times.
“Prometheus is a testament to what we, as a region and the leadership of Crane AAA and NSA Crane, have been building for decades now,” said Bryant Niehoff, CEO of the Uplands Science & Technology Foundation. “We’re starting to see the fruits of that work in a big economic way. This is a major milestone.”
The USTF promotes the development of the WestGate Technology Park, which is home to more than 55 companies with expertise in technologies related to the defense and national security industry. Approximately 950 people work in the tech park.
Prometheus Energetics also represents progress toward achieving supply chain independence. By producing SRMs domestically, reports the Sustainability Times, the U.S. can reduce its reliance on foreign suppliers and ensure a steady supply of critical defense components. This is vital, notes the report, in addressing evolving national security challenges.
‘Huge for a rural county’
Greene County has a population of about 31,000. Linton is the largest city with a population of almost 6,000, according to the US Census; Bloomfield is the county seat. Median household income in 2023 was $59,626, ranking 79th in Indiana. Its largest employers, currently, are Greene County General Hospital and Metal Technologies, a supplier of precision-machined parts for automakers like GM, Ford, Stellantis, Hyundai and Allison Transmission.
Last fall, Prometheus was scouting building sites and company representatives made their first visit to Greene County. To prepare for the visit, Jerrels brought together community partners and elected officials to show Prometheus the county was the best place for the investment.
“We didn’t know who we were in competition with, but we knew we were in competition and we didn’t take it lightly,” Jerrels said. “We’re rural, we don’t have a high population, a lot of times there are situations out of our control that cause us to lose a project; but that wasn’t the case this time.”
Joshua Riggins, president of Farmers and Mechanics Federal in Bloomfield, was a member of the group assembled by Jerrels. He is president of the Greene County Economic Development board and a member of the Greene County Redevelopment Commission.
An investment as significant as Prometheus “sends ripples” through a region, he said, leading to companies getting subcontracts and additional economic activity. From people needing haircuts, healthcare and housing, Riggins said those are some of the ripple effects of an investment the size of Prometheus.
“We’re thrilled because estimates we’ve heard are that 300 jobs are coming to this area,” he said. “It’s unknown how many will stay in the area. That will be on us to solve the housing piece and make Greene County a place people want to call home. But we’re thrilled with the prospect of what that might mean for our businesses and ancillary businesses that might come and that will improve the quality of life for all residents,” Riggins said. “This is the starting point for additional growth.”
John Mensch, president of the Greene County Redevelopment Commission, said the significance of Prometheus can’t be overstated.
“It’s huge for a rural county,” he said. “These tax-based jobs that will be created … that’s what economic development is all about, increasing the tax base and job creation.”
Crane has a long history of providing employment to those who live in the counties surrounding the base. Mensch, a US Navy veteran, retired from NSWC Crane, as did his wife. Several of his neighbors all worked there.
“Daviess, Martin and Greene are tied at the economic hip to Crane. It’s vital to our local economy. When you enhance Crane, it strengthens our economy and our partnership with Crane, so it’s very exciting,” Mensch said.
‘You don’t stop the work’
Greene County has not been without some economic wins. The $13 million Battery Innovation Center opened in 2013 and Metal Technologies continues to grow.
“Metal Technologies took an abandoned building and has turned it into a juggernaut of the automotive industry,” Riggins said. “In terms of jobs and lives affected, I think we’ll see a similar effect.”
For Jerrels, Prometheus is a reminder that in the world of economic development, you never know when the next opportunity is around the corner.
“You lose optimism sometimes, but you don’t stop the work,” Jerrels said. “You shift your focus and look for how you can capitalize on other things. Greene County has so much going for it and this is proof of that.”
The county’s work is far from over. The new development is just the beginning as the county looks to make itself attractive to potential new residents.
Housing, like many rural counties, is an area that is lacking. Workforce training and quality of place amenities are also priorities.
Jerrels said Ivy Tech Community College can build a curriculum around the needs of Prometheus. Workforce needs will include administrators, engineers, operators and explosive handlers.