Welcome to Benton County

Located northwest of Lafayette along the Illinois state line, Benton County is an excellent example of how Indiana’s Technology Corridor blends our region’s rich traditions with applied technology for a brighter future.  The county is home to several advanced manufacturers in quality-focused industries such as component parts, pill bottles, and containers.

AGRICULTURAL LEADERSHIP

Benton County has consistently been one of Indiana’s strongest agricultural centers. Extensive livestock operations include huge populations of hogs, dairy cattle, and beef cattle, while grain farmers manage hundreds of thousands of highly productive acres of corn, soybeans, as well as a few thousand acres of wheat. That makes the county an ideal site for food distribution, as well as production of processed and packaged foods, dairy products, animal feed, and nutraceutical supplements. As aquaculture farming grows in Indiana, Benton County is also becoming known for its expansion in the Aquaculture growing industry.

HOME OF INDIANA’S FIRST WIND FARM

You’ll see Benton County before you arrive, thanks to one of the largest concentrations of wind turbines east of the Mississippi River. Our commitment to renewable energy is strengthened through our relationships with area educators. Ivy Tech Community College worked with area wind power companies to develop a certification program, while the county’s schools and 4-H and FFA programs introduce students to the career opportunities within renewable energy. Companies can also draw upon Purdue University’s Energy Center. For information regarding Benton County Wind Farm Tours click here.

EXTENSIVE WATER RESOURCES

Beyond the excellent soils and natural drainage, much of the county sits upon the Teays Bedrock Valley, one of the nation’s largest underground river systems. That gives local companies access to virtually limitless supplies of clean fresh water at a steady temperature of 54 degrees, making the area perfect for geothermal and aquaculture applications. In fact, we’re home to RDM Aquaculture, the sixth-largest saltwater shrimp operation in the United States. In addition, the U.S. 41 Industrial site (located within a TIF district) is directly over the aquifer, with a high-capacity well in operation.

EASY TO REACH

Benton County’s location provides easy access for companies that depend upon transportation. The county is bisected by four-lane U.S. highways 41 and 52, and east-west U.S. 24 is located just above the northern border, providing quick access to Interstates 57 and 65. The county and its industrial parks are also served by several railroads.

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