Niles Township will be “greener” after the township approved 21 marijuana dispensary licenses at Monday night’s board meeting. The topic was called out by many residents concerned over the number of shops within the township.
On Tuesday, officials explain the economic impact those businesses could have on Niles Township.
The Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce President says he doesn’t expect all 21 businesses to go through.
Jeff Rea, the Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce President, says that the township is looking to make major investments in places that haven’t had investments in a long time.
“So, we expect significant economic impact from just a redevelopment standpoint, new taxes generated there, and then obviously some of what the township will ultimately be able to collect from licenses and stuff,” said Rea.
Jeff Rea says potentially having 21 dispensaries throughout Niles Township feels like a supply and demand situation. But he says Niles Township is trying to take advantage of Indiana’s lack of action on marijuana.
“For example, when Indiana couldn’t do alcohol sales on Sunday, a lot of people did alcohol right at the state line to try to capitalize on Indiana people that might drive over there for it,” said Rea.
If all 21 businesses go in, South 11th Street between Fulkerson and Stateline Road might feel crowded.
Some of those dispensaries would replace Hacker’s Golf and Games, and even Jay’s Lounge.
Read more at WSBT