On Thursday, September 8th, 2022, Montgomery County officials cut the ribbon to open Comfort Drive, officially renaming former County Road 200 S, in part to reflect the significance of welcoming manufacturer Tempur Sealy to our community.

A quiet yet determined community came together with a vision for growth and prosperity and created many significant opportunities for Montgomery County.

“This project required taking a steadfast approach to overcome many challenges and finding ways to turn ideas into reality for the betterment of the Montgomery County community,” explained Frey.

Today, Montgomery County took a giant leap toward prosperity. The partnership with Tempur Sealy will secure 300 plus local jobs and the facility is expected to be the largest Tempur Sealy manufacturing facility in the world. The ribbon cutting was to celebrate the opening of the newly constructed Comfort Drive, near the Tempur Sealy facilities, but it also serves as an example of progress and delayed gratification.

“This is the result of years of planning, educating, collaborating, consensus building, and assembling a team of doers who never wavered from a clear vision of creating a community that not only current residents will be proud of and want their kids to stay and raise their families in, but also creating a community people outside our boundaries want to be a part of as well,” said Frey.

This project took 16 months from concept to completion, was a key component in Tempur Sealy selecting Montgomery County for its new manufacturing facility and is a part of a much larger plan for Montgomery County.

“Several years ago, Montgomery County and the Redevelopment Commission worked together to identify this corridor as a focus area for development,” explained Ron Dickerson, President of the Redevelopment Commission. “There are many moving pieces in and around the TIF district, and limited resources at our disposal. It’s important that we carry on with the already established vision.”

“We need to and will continue to pursue the County’s infrastructure requirements in and around this TIF area,” Dickerson stated firmly.

All parties involved will continue to seek opportunities, learn from processes, and take positive steps toward making Montgomery County an even better place to live, work and play.

“With Tempur Sealy now securely in the County, it is a good time to reflect on the evolution of the effort – how the process went, what lessons were learned, and how to best position Montgomery County to secure the next important, community building project,” said Dickerson.

The Nucor Road TIF District (Tax Increment Financing) was established in the early 2000’s to promote economic growth, which was initiated with a new sewer treatment plant and associated infrastructure.

In addition, a County wide Comprehensive Plan was undertaken in 2018 identifying areas for “smart growth”. Expansion of sanitary sewer, water and road improvements are still envisioned.

• 1.5 Miles of new Roadway

• Approximately 1 Mile of Sanitary Sewer Main and a New Sanitary Lift Station

• Approximately 4 Miles of New Water Main

• A New Water Tower located on Comfort Drive

• Upgrades to several other utilities

• Relocation of the John V. Galley Legal Drain

• Installation of a new CSX Switch and Rail Spur

• Total Investment in TIF District with this Project $28M

• Timeline 16 Months from Start of Survey to completion of the project

“Many people came together to make this dream project a reality,” stated Tom Klein, Montgomery County Administrator. “The City of Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, Redevelopment Commission, County Commissioners, Chamber of Commerce, Lochmueller Group, RQAW, Tempur Sealy, and the countless volunteers and supporters who have worked so hard to achieve so much should be proud of what transpired here today.”

It’s only the beginning. And whoever comes next to this area, they will always be reminded who came first by their address, Comfort Drive.