Naming-rights deal to benefit city’s snow-removal efforts

Indianapolis’ longtime salt supplier, Cargill Inc., is giving the city five Ford F-250 pickup trucks and 125 tons of salt in exchange for naming rights to part of the city's snow-fighting fleet.

Mayor Greg Ballard announced the five-year deal with the Minnesota-based company on Monday. The city said the deal is worth about $250,000. The new trucks will be added to the city's fleet of 73 snow trucks.

The city will call the five-truck fleet the "Indy Snow Force Powered by Cargill."

The agreement calls for Cargill to give the city 25 tons of salt each year. Indianapolis typically burns through about 50,000 tons of salt annually.

The smaller trucks provided by Cargill will come equipped with snow plows and salt spreaders. They'll be used to help the city clear walkways and parking lots at charter schools and libraries during severe winter weather.

During the summer, the trucks will be used to deliver school lunches at 233 sites across Indianapolis as part of Indy Parks Summer Servings program.

During the past four years, Indianapolis has upgraded its snow fleet with newer equipment and trucks. The investment has resulted in faster response times, lower maintenance costs and safer streets, the mayor said.