Property & Amenities
WhistleStop
As part of the County’s economic development strategy, the development and deployment of an economic development business incubator is being developed. Called the STEAM Engine at Novaparke, the incubator is as part of the WhistleStop complex being developed within the Novaparke Innovation and Technology campus.
The plan to adaptively use the Historic WhistleStop Inn and farmstead as a mixed use component to foster growth and development of local companies. The site is being repurposes to be a focal point for art, innovation, creativity, local markets, entertainment, and educational endeavors.
The main objective of a business incubator is to accelerate business growth and create an atmosphere for success. The incubator is developed to create jobs, diversify the local economic base, and enhance the quality of life in the community. The objectives of the STEAM Engine Business Incubator is create an environment where the County’s goal of increasing the average wage and helping companies get established, planting roots in Floyd County so they will become permanent contributors to the overall vitality of the community. STEAM Engine at Novaparke is the co-work and incubator hub. Located in the WhistleStop Inn Building, Science Technology Engineering Arts/Agriculture Mathematics Engine is a 24/7 center for emerging startups to have a place to dream, create and innovate. The WhistleStop Inn and the adjacent Building 2 Conference Building provides over 5,000 square feet of space for use.
Adaptively renovating the Historic WhistleStop Inn and farmstead on site, these newly re-purposed buildings pay homage to the areas connection to rail transportation, agricultural endeavors, and entrepreneurialism of its time. Building One, The WhistleStop Inn located at the terminus point of the Edwardsville Train Tunnel, which is the longest train tunnel in Indiana. The building initially served as an Inn for rail travelers west to stop, relax and rejuvenate before once again starting their journey west to St. Louis.
“The STEAM Engine at Novaparke is designed to promote and develop locally owned businesses. This purpose will be done through advancing a collaborative entrepreneur ecosystem, advancing sound business practices, providing physical space, and promoting innovation.”
In its new form, area entrepreneurs can access its many features office space, printing and computer equipment, 3D printers, and other tools that assist businesses in growth and development. The site will house outdoor Wi-Fi capabilities and high-speed internet connectivity.
The main objective of a business incubator is to accelerate business growth and create an atmosphere for success. The incubator is designed to create jobs, diversify the local economic base, and enhance the quality of life in the community. The objectives of the STEAM Engine at Novaparke is create an environment where the County’s goal of increasing the average wage and helping companies get established, planting roots in Floyd County so they will become permanent contributors to the overall vitality of the community.
Community Advantages
- Location of two Regional Campuses of Big Ten Schools (Indiana University Southeast and Purdue Polytechnic Institute)
- Availability of over 12,000 graduate degree and 20,000 bachelor degree holders within 15 minute drive
- Fifth lowest property taxes in the State of Indiana out of 92 counties
- Accessibility to 100G internet speed from two providers
- 10,000 square foot research and laboratory facility to be built on site at Novaparke through Regional READI grant
- Sanitary sewer, water, and electricity on-site
- Short drive to New Albany Downtown Entertainment District and Downtown Louisville
- Planned 227 acre Regional Park and Trails system adjacent to Novaparke Campus
- Emerging downtown Georgetown
- Award winning K-12 School Corporation – New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated Schools
- Ranked 7th Best High School in Metro Louisville and 17th in Indiana (Floyd Central High School)
per US News and World Report 2022 ranking
Park Accessibility
Direct access to State Road 64 – Fully Signalized Intersection – State Road 64 and Innovation Parkway
1 mile from Interstate 64 Exit 119 Georgetown-Edwardsville
15 minute drive to Clark County Regional Airport
20 minute drive to Louisville International Airport
20 minute drive to UPS World Port Distribution Center
CONNECTIVITY
Tree-Lined Streets
Promote tree-lined secondary/internal street network.
Alternative Connections
Provide alternative connections between neighborhoods to green spaces, parks, and commercial areas through walking / biking trails and sidewalks.
Our Tenants
Redwire Becomes Anchor Tenant for Novaparke
The global space infrastructure leader will build a state-of-the-art microgravity payload development and space operations facility at Novaparke.
Redwire Corporation (NYSE: RDW), a leader in space infrastructure for the next generation space economy, plans to open a new state-of-the-art microgravity payload development facility with a mission operations center at Novaparke, as the company looks to increase production of critical technologies enabling human spaceflight missions and commercial microgravity research and development in low Earth orbit (LEO).
The new 30,000 sq. ft, facility will support increased demand from commercial companies and academic researchers focused on improving pharmaceutical drug development, optimizing disease treatments, and enabling technologies essential for sustainable human spaceflight in LEO and beyond. Construction is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Redwire is a global leader in mission critical space solutions and high reliability components for the next generation space economy, with valuable intellectual property for solar power generation, in-space 3D printing and manufacturing, avionics, critical components, sensors, digital engineering and space-based biotechnology. The company combines decades of flight heritage with an agile and innovative culture. Their “Heritage plus Innovation” strategy enables them to combine proven performance with new, innovative capabilities to provide their customers with the building blocks for the present and future of space infrastructure.
“We are building capacity as we pioneer consequential in-space manufacturing and microgravity research capabilities, such as bioprinting, in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), with life-saving benefits on and off our home planet,” said John Vellinger, Redwire Executive Vice President. “As we leverage strategic investments to scale in-space manufacturing in LEO, it will directly impact the sustainability of future human spaceflight and deliver optimized products for Earth-based industries. The new facility will help accelerate the development of our growing portfolio of new microgravity research technologies, such as biomedical research payloads, as we continue to serve our research and deep space exploration customers.”
“Redwire’s continued investment in Indiana is a testament to our shared commitment to building a robust economy of the future,” said David Watkins, senior vice president of small business and entrepreneurship at the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). “These new high-wage, high-skill careers will provide greater opportunities for residents of Floyd County and help further position Indiana as a leader in innovation.”
“Redwire is exactly the kind of world-class, innovative company we had in mind when the vision for Novaparke was first conceived,” said Bob Woosley, President of the Floyd County Redevelopment Commission. “We look forward to seeing what new breakthrough technologies will be developed here for the benefit of all and are excited for the outstanding career opportunities this presents for the next generation of scientists, engineers and professionals here in Floyd County.”