MOUNT VERNON — Nearly three years ago, Intel announced it was investing $20 billion to build two chip factories in Licking County.
The announcement created a flurry of activity, conversation, fear, and questions. It spurred the Knox County Area Development Foundation to do an economic growth survey and educational institutions to review their curricula.
The initial buzz has quieted somewhat, but questions remain. While the growth survey provided data, it also highlighted ongoing challenges: How do we capture lost opportunities without losing farmland to industrial parks or commercial centers?
How do we balance attracting businesses with needing more housing? How aggressively do we want to grow?
When Intel expanded into Washington County in the mid-1970s, Sherwood, Oregon, faced many of the same questions. Our team traveled to Sherwood in October to learn first-hand about Intel’s multi-generational effect on that community.
We chose Sherwood because its population is similar to Mount Vernon’s. Although Washington County has a much larger population, like Knox, agriculture and farmland are important.
Manufacturing and services figure prominently in Sherwood’s landscape as in Knox County, and both communities are a similar distance from an Intel plant.
There are also dissimilarities. Oregon has a higher cost of living than Ohio, which affects the wage and housing sectors. While its land use policy is significantly different, at its heart is the consistent theme of urban vs. rural.
We did not travel to Oregon to learn how to emulate what Sherwood did. We visited the city to get a glimpse into the future.
Sherwood and Washington County have a 50-year history with Intel. Our team was interested in discovering that history because it just might be Knox County’s future.
Decision time
Given Intel’s recent financial issues, people are speculating whether New Albany’s project will come to fruition. Those who think it is dead in the water feel there is much ado about nothing.
But Intel’s arrival in Licking County is a catalyst. Amazon is the latest tech giant to announce plans to locate on Vans Valley Road in Sunbury, 7 miles from the southernmost point on the Knox/Licking line.
Whether it is Intel in New Albany, families fleeing Delaware and Licking counties, natural migration, or some other yet unknown scenario, growth is coming to Knox County.
That growth affects demographics, land use, infrastructure, and industry.
Our visit to Sherwood demonstrates that planning is key. Over the next few weeks, we will explore the issues Sherwood grappled with over the past half-century and continues to face, seeking lessons that can help Knox County find the best path forward.
It’s decision time for Knox County.
Click here to see the demographics for Sherwood and Mount Vernon.
