July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Commissioners OK plan revisions (7/11/05)
Plan to govern JCDC, JCCD
By By Mike Snyder-
An updated guide to local economic and community development is one step closer to approval.
An updated strategic development plan for Jay County Development Corporation that emphasizes building on Jay County’s motor sports connection, workforce development and developing and helping entrepreneurs was approved this morning by Jay County Commissioners.
Robert Quadrozzi, executive director of JCDC, will present the plan to members of the Jay County Council on Wednesday. That is the last step prior to approval.
The update of the strategic plan, which was last completed in 1998, started with a task force of 25 to 30 members, then was taken to focus groups in each community in the county.
Quadrozzi said that approximately 200 people had input into the updated plan, which was compiled by Professor Elaine Fisher of Ball State University.
The plan is written in two sections, with economic development and community development goals. Those sections will be overseen by the executive director of JCDC and the Jay County community developer, who is also a JCDC employee.
Asked to cite key changes or additions, Quadrozzi first listed the motor sports initiative, which is also being emphasized at the state level.
With several local companies involved in motor sports and racing applications — including Moser Engineering, Qualtech Tool & Engineering and Portland Forge — local leaders believe the opportunity exists to build on a current strength. It also ties in with one of the key new community development goals, which is to make Jay County a big draw for family sports and recreation.
Other key new features of the plan, Quadrozzi said, include continuing to work to assess and address workforce development issues, and helping small business owners, or those with an idea for a small business, get started or expand.
Also this morning, Quadrozzi updated Commissioners Gary Theurer, Milo Miller Jr. and Faron Parr on the process of hiring a new community developer.
A total of 23 applied for the position. Seven will be interviewed over the next 10 days, with a decision likely to be made before Aug. 1.
Theurer asked why the job description for the community developer was recently revised to place the position under the authority of the executive director.
“Why is he answering to you?” Theurer asked.
“Somebody has to take responsibility for what’s going on ... It’s a case of the left hand knowing what the right hand’s doing,” said Quadrozzi.
Quadrozzi also said this morning that another professor from Ball State, Dr. Jeff Hornsby, is leading a study on the feasibility of a countywide chamber of commerce. That idea was floated during the last strategic planning process, but was shot down in a dispute over the correct name for the organization, Quadrozzi said.
While meeting this morning as the drainage board, the commissioners heard several requests from Pike Township farmer Robert C. Lyons.
Lyons asked that a section of tile along Treaty Line Road be replaced, and that work be done in a county ditch near the intersection of county road 200 East and Treaty Line.
Lyons said that the Lyons Prong, which runs on the south side of Treaty Line Road between county roads 200 East and Boundary City, has more than a dozen sinkholes. He believes the tile is nearly 90-years-old.
“Fixin’ these holes, all that does is prolong the agony,” said Lyons, who said he and his sons had constructed a waterway near the road to assist with drainage.
Lyons also asked county surveyor Brad Daniels to consider work on the Buckeye Ditch, which runs north-south along county road 200 East. A section of the ditch near Treaty Line Road has channeled near county road 200 East, Lyons said.
Lyons, who owns property in the area, said the county could have “25 or 30 feet if you need it ...” to move the ditch away from the road and to taper the ditch bank so grass could be re-established.
Daniels planned to meet with Lyons at the two locations to discuss possible solutions.[[In-content Ad]]
An updated strategic development plan for Jay County Development Corporation that emphasizes building on Jay County’s motor sports connection, workforce development and developing and helping entrepreneurs was approved this morning by Jay County Commissioners.
Robert Quadrozzi, executive director of JCDC, will present the plan to members of the Jay County Council on Wednesday. That is the last step prior to approval.
The update of the strategic plan, which was last completed in 1998, started with a task force of 25 to 30 members, then was taken to focus groups in each community in the county.
Quadrozzi said that approximately 200 people had input into the updated plan, which was compiled by Professor Elaine Fisher of Ball State University.
The plan is written in two sections, with economic development and community development goals. Those sections will be overseen by the executive director of JCDC and the Jay County community developer, who is also a JCDC employee.
Asked to cite key changes or additions, Quadrozzi first listed the motor sports initiative, which is also being emphasized at the state level.
With several local companies involved in motor sports and racing applications — including Moser Engineering, Qualtech Tool & Engineering and Portland Forge — local leaders believe the opportunity exists to build on a current strength. It also ties in with one of the key new community development goals, which is to make Jay County a big draw for family sports and recreation.
Other key new features of the plan, Quadrozzi said, include continuing to work to assess and address workforce development issues, and helping small business owners, or those with an idea for a small business, get started or expand.
Also this morning, Quadrozzi updated Commissioners Gary Theurer, Milo Miller Jr. and Faron Parr on the process of hiring a new community developer.
A total of 23 applied for the position. Seven will be interviewed over the next 10 days, with a decision likely to be made before Aug. 1.
Theurer asked why the job description for the community developer was recently revised to place the position under the authority of the executive director.
“Why is he answering to you?” Theurer asked.
“Somebody has to take responsibility for what’s going on ... It’s a case of the left hand knowing what the right hand’s doing,” said Quadrozzi.
Quadrozzi also said this morning that another professor from Ball State, Dr. Jeff Hornsby, is leading a study on the feasibility of a countywide chamber of commerce. That idea was floated during the last strategic planning process, but was shot down in a dispute over the correct name for the organization, Quadrozzi said.
While meeting this morning as the drainage board, the commissioners heard several requests from Pike Township farmer Robert C. Lyons.
Lyons asked that a section of tile along Treaty Line Road be replaced, and that work be done in a county ditch near the intersection of county road 200 East and Treaty Line.
Lyons said that the Lyons Prong, which runs on the south side of Treaty Line Road between county roads 200 East and Boundary City, has more than a dozen sinkholes. He believes the tile is nearly 90-years-old.
“Fixin’ these holes, all that does is prolong the agony,” said Lyons, who said he and his sons had constructed a waterway near the road to assist with drainage.
Lyons also asked county surveyor Brad Daniels to consider work on the Buckeye Ditch, which runs north-south along county road 200 East. A section of the ditch near Treaty Line Road has channeled near county road 200 East, Lyons said.
Lyons, who owns property in the area, said the county could have “25 or 30 feet if you need it ...” to move the ditch away from the road and to taper the ditch bank so grass could be re-established.
Daniels planned to meet with Lyons at the two locations to discuss possible solutions.[[In-content Ad]]
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