Overview
Martin County, Indiana is located in south central Indiana and is home to the third largest U.S. Naval installation in the world, NSA Crane. Inside of NSA Crane resides the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane (NSWC Crane) and the Crane Army Ammunition Activity Crane (CAAA) as well as other tenants. The county is approximately 340 square miles with the county seat being Shoals. Martin County offers recreational resources such as the Hoosier National Forest, Jug Rock, Martin State Forest, West Boggs, Lark Ranch, and the White River. To learn more about Martin County, click here.
Martin County’s primary industries are defense, mining, agriculture, and small business. Its primary employment hub is NSA Crane. NSWC Crane has built a solid reputation on technological innovations through the development of airborne electronic warfare, night vision systems, radar, small arms, and undersea warfare systems. NSWC Crane is a Naval laboratory and a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) with focus areas in Special Mission, Strategic Missions and Electronic Warfare/Information Operations. The Warfare Center’s research and development efforts support the Warfighter by providing capabilities and resources to advance technologies for the military. CAAA stores, receives, produces and demilitarizes conventional ammunition. It also designs, develops and improves ordnance components and processes. NSA Crane, NSWC Crane, and CAAA employ an estimated 5000+ workers, including Tech, Science, and Engineer professionals in addition to the estimated 2000+ contractor employees.
Martin County shares in the WestGate@Crane Technology Park, which is the only tri-county Certified Technology Park in Indiana that many defense contractors and technology companies call home. WestGate has experienced substantial growth and major developments in the recent years. The groundbreaking of the WestGate Academy and Battery Innovation Center launches new opportunities for the region.
Martin County is also known for its natural and scenic beauty. The Hoosier National Forest, Martin State Forest, West Boggs Park, Lark Ranch, and the White River provide outdoor recreation. The Jug Rock is a natural and the largest free-standing geological formation in the United States east of the Mississippi River. From the lost city of Hindostan (Hindostan Falls) to bike trails in the Martin State Forest, Martin County offers adventure and excitement in the outdoors.
In addition, the agricultural land of the county provides opportunities ideal for such uses as mining gypsum, food production, aggregate production, etc. USG and National Gypsum have facilities in Martin County producing wallboard from mined and synthetic gypsum. However, there are many small businesses and family farms who call Martin County home.
Martin County is where Nature and Tech Connect!