TERRE HAUTE —
Indiana Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman made a lunch-time stop in Vermillion County on Thursday as part of her effort to visit all 92 counties in the Hoosier state before leaving office at the end of this year.
At the L & L Castle Restaurant in Clinton, Skillman was greeted by area Republican Party primary candidates and also Vermillion County GOP leaders.
Congressional candidate Kristi Risk, Indiana House candidate Bill Webster and Vermillion County Commissioner hopeful Gregg Meyer were among the about 20 people in attendance at the lunch.
“It’s an important way to do windshield research,” Skillman said of her tour of Indiana’s counties. “We can see first hand how communities are fairing economically. I do believe the worst of times are behind us.”
While not “where we want to be,” Skillman said economic data show things are improving around the state. “No one would say it is satisfactory, but the numbers have improved a great deal [in the past two years] statewide,” she said.
As of February, Vermillion County had an unemployment rate of 12.5 percent — among the highest in the state. However, that was an improvement over a year earlier when the county’s unemployment rate was 13.6 percent, according to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.
Of special interest to Vermillion County and the rest of the area, Skillman said plans to develop a multi-billion-dollar coal refining facility at the Vermillion Rise Mega Park remain on track. In September of 2010, Skillman announced her office was supporting the project, which would take place on property formerly part of the U.S. military’s Newport Chemical Depot.
“From what I understand, there is still an intention for the project to proceed,” Skillman said Thursday.
The project, undertaken by the Clean Coal Refining Corp., would use coal to produce fuels such as jet fuel, heating oil, diesel and utility fuel, according to the news release issued by Skillman’s office in September 2010.
Susan Snider, marketing director for Vermillion Rise, concurred that the project continues to move forward although nothing is set in stone. Clean Coal Refining Corp., a private company incorporated in Delaware, has completed its studies and is currently working with Vermillion Rise on a development agreement, she said when contacted late Thursday afternoon.
If it comes about, the coal refining facility would use about 1,500 acres of the 7,000-acre Vermillion Rise site. It would create about 500 jobs, according to Skillman’s original news release issued in 2010.
Her lunch-break stop in Clinton was the lieutenant governor’s fifth visit to Vermillion County since she took office in 2005, she said. After lunch, Skillman was headed to Attica in Fountain County to present a state grant for downtown revitalization, she said.
Skillman, 61, is completing her second term as lieutenant governor. She was elected as the running mate of Mitch Daniels in 2004.
Arthur Foulkes can be reached at (812) 231-4232 or arthur.foulkes@tribstar.com.
Local & Bistate
Related Photos
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Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Bouquet for our guest: Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman accepts a bouquet of flowers from Kylee Yocum, the daughter of Vermillion County Republican Chairman, Tim Yocum, right, Thursday at the L & L Castle in Clinton.
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Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Welcome to Clinton: Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman is greeted by Kylee Yocum, the daughter of Vermillion County Republican Chairman, Tim Yocum, background, Thursday at the L & L Castle in Clinton.
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Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Hug from the Lt.: Douayne Osborne of Cayuga receives a hug from Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman after her arrival at the L & L Castle in Clinton Thursday. Osborne said he appreciates the work the Lt. Governor has done. Looking on are Bob and Linda Mark.
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Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza In the race for 42: Bill Webster, Republican candidate for state rep. District 42, right, greets Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman after her arrival in Clinton Thursday at the L & L Castle.
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Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Hello, friend: Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman talks with Lorena Turchi after her arrival in Clinton Thursday at the L & L Castle.
Discussion
Skillman: Vermillion Rise Mega Park on track
Clinton stop part of official’s quest to visit all 92 counties
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