West Lafayette ‘salivating’ over Rolls-Royce’s $204M plans

In plans hinted in August, Rolls-Royce comes with details for $204M for three facilities in Purdue’s Discovery Park District. Plus, Wabash Township settles fire chief’s lawsuit against former trustee

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ROLLS-ROYCE READY TO PUT $204 MILLION INTO NEW FACILITIES NEAR PURDUE

(Photo: Purdue)

Rolls-Royce will spend $204 million to build two new facilities and expand another in Purdue’s Discovery Park District, just west of campus, based on plans laid out Wednesday for West Lafayette officials.

Construction is expected to start this year on land near Newman Road and the Purdue Airport.

First up, Rolls-Royce will look for tax abatements on $184 million of that investment for the first five years, according to documents filed with the redevelopment commission Wednesday. The redevelopment commission took the first step that morning, recommending that the West Lafayette City Council designate the land as an economic revitalization area, a move necessary to line up the tax breaks.

“I don’t think there’s a community in Indiana that wouldn’t be salivating over the possibility of having this type of investment,” Larry Oates, West Lafayette Redevelopment Commission president, said.