HMS Global Maritime Chooses New Albany

HMS Global Maritime, one of the industry’s premier passenger vessel and marine management firms, announced its intention to open a training and customer support center in New Albany, Ind., today. The proposed expansion would create up to 50 new positions with pay estimated at 14.5 percent above the Floyd County average wage. The HMS Global Maritime fleet currently includes three overnight river cruise vessels, but an anticipated expansion of the fleet to seven vessels in coming years necessitates the expansion. Company officials would like the new facility to be located at 213 Pearl Street in New Albany, which has been partially vacant for the past year. The project investment is estimated to be approximately $800,000 in renovations in order to accommodate the 200 to 300 trainees expected to visit the center annually.

“We are proud to announce that Mr. John Waggoner and HMS Global Maritime chose New Albany over some other very fine American cities,” said Mayor Gahan. “We appreciate their decision to bring additional jobs to our river city, along with preserving and revitalizing a historic building in downtown New Albany. We look forward to many years of continued success.”

“At HMS Global Maritime and American Queen Steamboat Company, our philosophy is to push ourselves to not only be a world-class company, but to commit to delivering an uncompromising customer experience by providing our employees the very best in training, support, and skills to be successful. This proposed training center in the heart of downtown New Albany would not only help us maintain the quality workforce we need to succeed, but also bring hundreds of visitors to our hometown annually. It is the very definition of a win-win situation,” said President and CEO John Waggoner.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) has offered HMS Global Maritime up to $400,000 in conditional Economic Development for a Growing Economy (“EDGE”) tax credits and up to $50,000 in Hoosier Business Investment Tax Credits based on the company’s job-creation plans. These incentives are performance-based, meaning until Indiana workers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives.

While the property being considered is located in a designated Urban Enterprise Zone, the New Albany City Council will have the opportunity to vote on possible local incentives, including the Vacant Building Deduction. Upon the council’s approval, HMS Global Maritime anticipates it could begin operations as early as the end of this year.

HMS Global Maritime has successfully seen a substantial growth over the past eight years, building its overnight cruise division from the ground up to more than $100 million in revenue. In order to accommodate this growth, the company has expanded its employment from 175 in 2011 to approximately 1,000 employees in 2018.

According to Wendy Dant Chesser, president and CEO of 1si, “One Southern Indiana stands ready to assist leaders of HMS Global Maritime and the American Queen Steamboat Company with their proposed expansion in New Albany.” The expansion does not surprise Dant Chesser, who continued, “HMS Global Maritime was chosen as last year’s winner of 1si’s Business of the Year ONE Award, and it’s a tremendous home-grown company lead by an indomitable entrepreneur who has risked everything to ensure his dream succeeds.” She concluded by saying, “We look forward to this step in the company’s evolution and expect even greater things in the future.”

Downtown New Albany Tree Walk - April 26th

DOWNTOWN NEW ALBANY TREE WALK:

The New Albany Tree Board is hosting the Downtown New Albany Tree Walk on Friday, April 26th at 5 PM. City of New Albany arborist Greg Mills will lead the walk. It will start and end at the Scribner House, 110 East Main Street, New Albany, Indiana 47150.

Participants will learn about significant trees in the area, fun facts about the trees on the walking route, as well as growing conditions.

For more information about the walk, contact Krisjans Streips, Chief City Planner, at 812-948-5333.

Colonial Manor - Taking Steps to Breathe New Life Into Corridor

At Tuesday’s (April 9th) meeting of the New Albany Redevelopment Commission, board members will vote on a resolution taking final steps to acquire the Colonial Manor property on Charlestown Road. The board will vote on funding for the purchase of the property, and if approved, will then move to the City Council for final approval.

In early March, the City held a community input meeting regarding the future of the Colonial Manor property. Overwhelming feedback from the public encouraged a new type of development to occur here. Many different conceptual drafts were displayed at the public meeting – these drafts were not final design concepts in any way, and were there to encourage thoughts about the different types of developments that could occur at Colonial Manor.

“We are excited about the potential for the area,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “Colonial Manor used to be an anchor for the neighborhood, and we are excited to move forward on the redevelopment of this property.”

Neighborhood Street Paving Coming Soon

NEIGHBORHOOD STREET PAVING: This week, the city of New Albany was awarded $1 million from the Community Crossings grant for road paving. This grant, combined with our budgeted money for paving, will allow the City to repave nearly 20 miles of roadway this year. This year’s focus for paving will be primarily on neighborhood streets, and a full list of projected street paving locations will be available soon.

“2019 will bring a wrap up of major road and sidewalk renovations as well as some new road paving and improvements,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “It will be a little messy, but we will keep moving forward.”

Portion of Main Street Closed Due to Severe Weather

A severe wind and weather advisory was issued for New Albany until 11pm. The National Weather Service advises that sustained winds of 30 mph are expected with gusts up to 55 mph.

As a precautionary measue due to the scaffolding and building materials at the construction site of the future New Albany City Hall (146-150 East Main Street), a section of roadway on Main Street will be closed until tomorrow morning.

Please take all precautionary measures to protect yourself with inclement weather approaching.