County wants grant

Jay County Commissioners are willing to join a grant program to revitalize Dunkirk’s downtown in order to get a county-owned building repaired.
However, the commissioners will have to get the Jay County Council to approve more than $40,000 to use for a grant match and the City of Dunkirk will have to beat long odds and actually win the grant award.
Dunkirk is seeking a grant to improve several buildings in its downtown, but the Office of Community and Rural Affairs is only awarding funds for one grant in the state.
“I’m thinking we’re never going to get it, but you never know,” said commissioners’ president Milo Miller Jr.
The commissioners were approached by Dunkirk about fixing up a building at 102 N. Main St. The county owns part of the building and holds a tax certificate for the majority of the remaining building.
One storefront of the building is vacant but the owner is current on her taxes. However, she has told the commissioners she would deed the property over if they are willing to take it.
The building is in disrepair and the roof over the center of the building is collapsing.
“In order for us to participate, we need a 10 percent match,” Miller said, informing the other commissioners that match would be about $42,000 to $45,000. “It’s probably cheaper for us to go that way and have something someone can buy.”
The commissioners said if the building is fixed up it could potentially be sold in the future and be back on the county tax rolls. If it’s not improved, the building will likely sit vacant until it would need to be torn down, which would cost more than the $45,000.
“I’d hate to see it torn down,” Miller said.
“If we can get it fixed up for $42,000 and have them pay the rest, I can’t see how it’d not be worth it,” said commissioner Faron Parr. “It’d be foolish not to for that kind of investment.”
In order for the improvements to be done Dunkirk will have to win the grant, the county council will have to release the funds and the commissioners will have to take ownership of the entire building.
The commissioners agreed to take part in the program if all of the conditions are met. The money for the grant would be taken out of county infrastructure funds. Miller said he will approach the council with the request.
In other business this morning, the commissioners:
•Reviewed recommendations from a safety review of the courthouse performed by Frank Smith of Downey Insurance. Smith highlighted eight improvements that need to be made to the courthouse.
Those improvements including hanging seating capacity signs in the courtrooms and auditorium to prevent overcrowding, installing ground fault circuit interrupter outlets near water fountains, and cleaning up the basement to provide safer access, among others.
The county has 30 days to address the issues and respond to Smith.[[In-content Ad]]