Omar Zafrullah, owner of Best Western at I-70/Indiana 59

Frank Phillips / DLC Media News

BRAZIL — When you compare the I-70 and Indiana 59 interchange to other interchanges along the interstate, something may appear to be missing: Businesses catering to travelers.

The City of Brazil and the Clay County Redevelopment Commission are working toward the growth of the interchange south of Brazil by improving the infrastructure.

Infrastructure, specifically a wastewater sewer system that new businesses can hook into, is the reason the interchange does not have more business.

A 10-inch sewer line was installed but it is either clogged or has collapsed, Tony Ackles of Strand Engineering told the Redevelopment Commission Wednesday night. That sewer line is 5 miles long and goes to the Brazil Wastewater Treatment Plant.

A new solution is needed, one that is projected to cost $2.1 million.

At one time, the City had set aside $1.2 million for the project that was never completed. Now, projected costs have nearly doubled.

Mayor Brian Wyndham said he often hears rumors of projects that are coming but they seldom work out.

“There are always people wanting to do things down there (I-70 and 59) but it always falls through,” said Redevelopment Commission President Tom Ames.

Thanks to Tax Increment Financing and that the county has made the interchange an Economic Development Area, $342,000 has been set aside for infrastructure improvements, said economic adviser Jim Coffenberry.

Each year, for the next seven years, an additional $90,000 per year will be set aside for infrastructure improvements, said Caitlin Cheek of Baker Tilly, a consultation firm used by the Redevelopment Commission.

Simple math shows that after nine years, only $972,000 will be collected in the TIF, short of the $2.1 million projected cost for the sewer infrastructure project.

”The reason we’re here tonight is to see if the Redevelopment Commission can come up with some (more) TIF money,” said Mayor Wyndham.

One of the people in attendance who were listening closely to the presentation and discussion was Omar Zafrullah, owner of the Best Western located at the I-70/Indiana 59 interchange.

Mr. Zafrullah was a pre-med student when he decided to go into the family business. His family owns motels in Terre Haute and he was able to arrange bank financing to build the Best Western at Brazil in 2012.

Mr. Zafrullah was happy the county and city are moving forward on a project that, he thinks, will cause growth at the interchange and will benefit Brazil and Clay County. 

The next meeting of the Redevelopment Commission is set for 6 p.m., May 17, in the Clay County Courthouse.