Sean Reaves, Boone County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director was the guest on WILO and Boone 102.7 FM. Reeves gave an outline of the new projects and economic development changes coming to Boone County.
Major Developments at the LEAP District
Boone County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sean Reeves said on WILO and Boone 102.7 FM this morning the $10 billion Meta data center project near Lebanon is one of several major developments helping transform the county’s economic landscape. The new facility will bring an estimated 300 permanent jobs and roughly 4,000 temporary construction jobs to the region, Reeves said during a recent interview.
“Meta is going to be coming there… It’s what would be on your way to Western Boone High School, right across the road from Eli Lilly’s new medicine foundry,” Reeves explained. “There’s a lot of development going on in Boone County right now, and Meta is part of that.”
Meta officials have stated the facility will operate using advanced sustainability features, designed to be water neutral by 2030. Reeves encouraged residents to review information directly from the company. “If you read their press release, they’re going to be a closed-loop system that recaptures and reuses water,” he said, noting that Citizens Energy Group is partnering with local governments to bring additional water infrastructure to the area.
Meta’s facility is expected to be operational by late 2027 or early 2028. “They’re already moving dirt around out there,” Reeves said, adding that the ceremonial announcement this month “was more to say, ‘We’re officially here.” More information about the Meta Data Center in Boone County is available HERE.
Eli Lilly and Other Projects Expanding
Directly across State Road 32 from Meta’s facility, Eli Lilly and Company is building a new medicine foundry, separate from its two production plants north of Lebanon. Those production facilities, called Project LP1 and LP2, will manufacture medicines for worldwide distribution.
“It’s extremely exciting that Boone County will have two separate production facilities and the medicine foundry, which focuses on the medicines of the future,” Reeves said. “It’s exactly what people have been talking about — producing things here on American soil.”
The Chamber director emphasized Lillly’s commitment to hiring local subcontractors, purchasing supplies within Central Indiana when possible, and supporting Boone County’s business community. “They’ve made a focused effort to spend that money in our community,” he noted.
Growth Beyond the LEAP District
While the massive LEAP Research and Innovation District dominates headlines, Reeves said growth is also accelerating across the county. A new Fiber Global facility in Whitestown will use recycled cardboard to manufacture pressed wood products used in lightweight furniture. The sustainability-focused company plans an investment exceeding $20 million.
“They’re environmentally focused and want to make sure we’re not wasting things that can be reused,” Reeves said. “They’re even sponsoring a tree-planting day in our community.”
Also opening recently is Freudenberg Filtration Technologies, which manufactures residential and commercial air filters near Lebanon and Whitestown. Reeves said the company “is always hiring and a great example of local job creation on the south side of Boone County.”
Whitestown will also welcome a new Wally’s travel center, a large roadside “oasis” concept similar to Buc-ee’s. Construction delays have pushed its opening into late 2026.
Local Economy and Community Momentum
Reeves said the influx of construction workers and visitors continues to boost local restaurants, hotels, and shops. The Farmers Bank Fieldhouse in Lebanon is contributing to that momentum through sports tourism events, including basketball, volleyball, and semi-professional football tournaments drawing teams from across the Midwest.
“Every weekend we have people coming in from all over the region,” Reeves said. “It’s great to see the community benefiting from this activity.”
The Chamber’s Culinary Collective, which brings together restaurant owners from across Boone County, has reported higher sales tied to both economic development and increased tourism. “Our restaurant owners are all seeing a bump in business and they’re excited about that,” Reeves said.
Chamber Events and Community Involvement
Reeves also previewed several upcoming Chamber networking events. The next “Off the Clock” mixer will be Thursday in Zionsville, hosted at The Silo located in the Farm district. The Women in Business Coffee and Connections event follows next week at Just Love Coffee in Lebanon.
For entrepreneurs, Reeves recommended the Marketers Meetup, led by marketing expert Ethan Brown of Ash Interactive, who will guide attendees through Google Business profile updates. “*It’s our most popular program each year,” Reeves said. “Bring your laptop — he walks you through every step.”
The Chamber’s annual awards banquet is also approaching, celebrating local businesses, educators, and community heroes. The event will honor Teachers of the Year from each Boone County school district, along with the Business, Nonprofit, and Hometown Hero of the Year awards.
“It’s our chance to celebrate the community,” Reeves said. “It’s not a fancy night — just come as you are and enjoy great food, networking, and recognition of the people who make Boone County thrive.”
For event registration and full details, residents can visit BooneCountyChamber.org.