MUNCIE — It may not have restaurants, casinos or hotels, but Exit 41 on Interstate 69 is on the cusp of development.

Exit 41 lines the western edge of Delaware County, just a mile from the Madison County border.

The exit seems empty at first glance. Two gas stations welcome northbound motorists with little else in sight. In the distance behind the Ricker’s convenience store and just across the street from a Citgo gas station, an industrial park with a steady flow of traffic offers a peek at the future of this interchange.

Park One, as its called, is a 300-acre industrial hub on the brink of economic development, according to Terry Murphy, vice president of economic development for Muncie. The park was built seven years ago by Gale Tschour Construction.

Only 60 of the 300 acres of the park are currently occupied by businesses, Murphy said.

The park and its slow growth got a shot of adrenaline with the Oct. 8 announcement that an Italian manufacturer will soon set up its U.S. headquarters in the park, injecting 455 high-paying jobs into the local market.

The jobs are expected to average $46,000 a year.

Brevini Power Transmissions makes gear boxes for wind turbines and will begin construction on their 150,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in 2009.

Brevini’s Park One move is a $62 million investment in the area.

“In the American economy, hope springs from the heartland. The selection of Delaware County and east central Indiana for this wonderful new facility is mostly a credit to the people of east central Indiana,” U.S. Rep. Mike Pence said after Brevini went public with plans for Park One.

Brevini will join a small group of other businesses currently located at the park.

Anchoring the park is the Sav-A-Lot distribution center, occupying 325,000 square feet.

TK Contractors, a large home-building business, uses the park for its corporate headquarters.

An established TIF (tax increment financing) district, the park is designed to draw continued development, but so far, has seen little.

“We would have liked to have seen some more growth out there but we also see a lot of activity out there now. We’re hoping it’s going to take off here pretty quick,” Murphy said.