By Sam Elliott

Though it’s just two months old, 2016 has already been a banner year for Fishers’ economic development future as the city has announced new business relocations and projects that could bring more than 1,000 jobs to the area through the next decade.

Plans for certain tax abatements and waived fees for three such projects have already been approved by the Fishers City Council this year, and a fourth is expected to be presented at the council’s March meeting.

That presentation will be for Republic Services Inc., a recycling and non-hazardous waste disposal service provider that plans to invest $13.6 million into a 68,000-square-foot regional headquarters along the I-69 corporate corridor. The company expects to have the facility ready by September and plans to create as many as 469 new jobs by 2025 with an average annual salary of $52,312.

Three projects already approved by city council all plan to begin construction this year with expected openings in the spring of 2017. Topgolf International announced in January its intent to invest at least $18 million into a 60,000-square-foot multi-level, climate-controlled driving range and entertainment location on 116th Street near Cumberland Road.

The unique golf and entertainment location will create approximately 135 full-time jobs and as many as 375 part-time positions.

Mayor Scott Fadness used his second State of the City Address in February to announce plans for two new corporate headquarters in Fishers, with director of economic development Brandon Dickinson presenting them to city council days later.

STANLEY Security will move from its current headquarters on Crosspoint Boulevard to an 80,000-square-foot, three-story building at Fishers Point Business Park.

The move and $15.9 million investment will retain 165 Fishers jobs and create as many 155 new positions.

“The annual average wage of these 320 jobs is approximately $62,000. We’re optimistic that number, with time, will actually climb,” Dickinson said. “Those are still very healthy jobs and we’re excited to have them here in Fishers.”

Braden Business Systems will bring jobs to the city, as well. The office technology provider will invest $5.6 million into a 35,000-square-foot, four-story headquarters at what is currently a parking lot at 7 Municipal Dr. The company had 43 employees at its Marion Co. location as of its agreement with the city, but has since grown to more than 70 jobs that will be retained in Fishers while planning for 90 new full-time positions by 2020.

“In reviewing all of our options to call home for our team, Fishers rose quickly to the top of the list,” stated company president Dave Braden.

The announced job commitments through two months of 2016 already exceed those announced in all of 2015.

“I want to compliment the mayor and the staff again for continuing the vision we have here in Fishers and a collaborative effort to work with partners that bring good economic development ideas to the City of Fishers,” city councilor and former president Pete Peterson said. “We are the envy of the state of Indiana right now… all these people are talking about Fishers in a very, very positive light and I can’t speak more highly of the staff and everybody else working to all ends to continue to bring these types of developments to Fishers.”