Plans continue for training center

With or without grant help, plans for a new training center are expected to move forward.
Jay County Development Corporation executive director Bill Bradley told his board at its meeting Tuesday that organizations are excited about the possibility of creating an industrial training center. The center, which was proposed as a partnership between Jay, Adams, Blackford, Wells and Randolph counties, would be run through John Jay Center for Learning in Portland.
The board also discussed the effects of the changes to the business personal property tax, got updates on a variety of other local projects and met the new leader of Energize-ECI.
The training center would focus on vocational education to prepare residents for industrial and manufacturing jobs. Bradley told his board he feels there is a good chance of receiving $100,000 to $150,000 in grant funds for the center.
“That is going to progress along. I think the school system and John Jay and us, we’re ready to move on that even if we don’t get the money.”  
JCDC also discussed the changes to the business personal property tax the Indiana Legislature made during its session.
Members had a variety of concerns about the changes, which will go into effect in the summer of 2015, including how local communities will replace the revenue if they choose to drop the tax. The legislature did not create a provision for replacing that money.
Jay County Commissioner Milo Miller Jr. and Bradley also noted that the new system seems to pit counties against each other rather than encouraging cooperation state wide.
Ami Huffman, Jay County’s director of community development, noted that despite missing out on the Stellar Communities Grant, Dunkirk plans to move forward on a variety of projects. Among them is restoration of the Depot building as work on the exterior began Monday.
She also told board members a proposal has been submitted for grant funds for a new Redkey Fire Station adjacent to the former town hall at 20 S. Ash Street, and that Pennville has received its grant funds and will purchase a new firetruck soon.
In other updates, Bradley told the board Fort Recovery Industries has begun its expansion in Portland and he is continuing to work on a prospect for the former Jay Products building.
The group also met Dennis Maloy, the new CEO of Energize-ECI. He comes to Energize-ECI after serving as executive director of Ivy Tech Corporate College in Bloomington.
He previously served in economic development in a variety of positions, including executive director of the Hancock Economic Development Council.
Maloy emphasized his desire to work with JCDC and other area development groups.
“I think I’m a pretty collaborative sort of guy,” Maloy said. “I’ve been doing this long enough to understand that if we’re going to be successful it takes partnership with everyone sitting around the table. My goal is to build those bridges with Jay County and Randolph County and Grant County and all nine members of ECI.”
•Heard updates from Portland Mayor Randy Geesaman on several local projects. He informed the board that the Lafayette Street extension project, originally projected to be complete by late May or early June, is now expected to stretch into July because of weather-related delays. He expects to have another meeting with Indiana Department of Transportation officials next week regarding the Ind. 26 east (Water Street) project. Also, televising (video) work continues with crews looking for problem areas in sewer lines.
•Got an update from board member Bob Lyons about the proposed Bluff Point Wind Farm Project. He said developer NextEra is continuing to work to find a buyer for the electricity that would come from the wind farm in southern Jay and northern Randolph counties.
•Learned from Bradley that planning has begun for the JCDC annual meeting, which will be held in late May or early June. He asked for suggestions for a keynote speaker.

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