Local economy improving

With signs pointing to an economic recovery on the national level, a local economic development official says that activity is picking up locally, as well.

Robert Quadrozzi, executive director of Jay County Development Corporation, told members of his board Tuesday afternoon that there were three visits recently to the 50,000-square foot spec building in Portland, and several other smaller expansion-type projects might be in the works.

At least two different companies might be interested in the spec building, Quadrozzi said. The shell industrial facility is located in the Portland Industrial Park off of county road 100 North east of Moser Engineering.

Quadrozzi said that other possible projects in the works include an expansion at a Pennville-area small industry.

Also Tuesday, members of the JCDC board approved raises in pay effective Jan. 1 for Wayne Bailey, director of Jay County Community Development; Jodi Scott, JCDC administrative assistant; and Quadrozzi.

All three received excellent marks in an employee evaluation process, JCDC board president Chuck Huffman told his board. Scott’s evaluation was completed by Quadrozzi, with the JCDC executive committee completing the evaluation of Bailey and Quadrozzi.

Scott received a 50-cent per hour increase in pay to $11 per hour, while Bailey and Quadrozzi each were granted 2 percent raises. Bailey will be paid $43,934 in 2004, while Quadrozzi will make $70,797.

Before the vote on Quadrozzi’s salary increase, board member Vicki Tague noted the large gap between the two positions and asked if they were considered “parallel.” Fellow board member Sam Shoemaker said much of the gap can be explained by the fact that Quadrozzi, who has been with JCDC 12-plus years, had 20 years of experience prior to beginning his tenure at the local not-for-profit.

In other business, members of the JCDC board:

•Were “introduced” to Portland Mayor-elect Bruce Hosier, who said he already knew most members of the group. Current Mayor Jim Hedges, who will leave office Dec. 31, drew a big laugh when his turn for introductions came, saying to Hosier, “Hi, I’m Jim.”

•Approved a letter to the Indiana Department of Commerce from Bailey, explaining what Bailey sees as a problem with DOC grant guidelines in the wake of a switch to a market value assessment.

The guidelines for Community Focus Fund grants set caps on assessed values in the areas served by the grants.

Bailey, who is currently preparing a CFF grant request for the Pennville Fire Department, says that the DOC’s assessed valuation caps are unfair to Jay County, which under a market value system has seen its assessments soar.

According to figures provided by Bailey, the assessed valuation for the Pennville Fire District has increased to more than $104 million — up from $12.6 million a year ago. That $104 million exceeds the DOC’s cap of $60 million.

The letter asks the department of commerce to consider allowances for the switch to market value.

•Heard board member Rosalie Clamme, who is director of the Jay County Public Library, tout new features on the library’s web site. Patrons may check their accounts online, as well as renew items, view fines, and search and reserve materials. The site is www.jaycpl.lib.in.us.

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