JCDC touts progress

Businesses are expanding and community projects are thriving.
Jay County Development Corporation touted those messages Tuesday during its annual meeting at Jay County Hospital.
The group also elected officers to take over the reins beginning in 2016.
JCDC executive director Bill Bradley noted a list of growing businesses in the county, led by FCC’s 76,000-square foot expansion as part of a $15.5 million investment. He also praised the efforts of Fort Recovery Industries, W&M Manufacturing, JRDS Industries in partnership with Sonoco, Berne Ready Mix and others.
He and JCDC president Dan Watson also pointed out the strong countywide support last month when Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann visited to congratulate Dunkirk on its status as a Stellar Communities finalist.
“It’s what I like about Jay County,” said Watson, the mayor of Dunkirk, of the cooperative attitude. “It’s what I like about this organization. Continue, continue, continue to work for the betterment of Jay County.”
Jay County community development director Ami Huffman focused on several community advancements and opportunities, including Dunkirk’s efforts to be designated a Stellar Community topping that list. She also noted planning for Safe Routes to School, façade improvements in downtown Portland and a grant that allowed Pennville to purchase a new rescue truck.
Huffman also discussed the planned sewer separation in Redkey, for which the town received nearly $8 million in grants and loans from the United States Department of Agriculture.
“We’re going to do the whole town in one project,” said Huffman, noting that the project is scheduled for bidding in July.
“Throughout Indiana, this is a problem … and so to get them done in one big project, it’s going to be torture for a little bit, but it’s going to be great when it’s over.”
JCDC elected Barbara Street as president for 2016, with Duane Sautbine to serve as vice president. Other officers will be secretary Lee Bone and treasurer Rex Journay.
Keith Muhlenkamp, Darrell Reeves, Scott Hilfiker and Street were elected as directors, and Bob Vance, Dean Sanders, Randy Geesaman and Kyle Champ were named ex-officio members.
The organization honored retiring members Pat Bennett, Doug Stanley and Marc Edwards.
In closing his comments, Bradley expressed pride in JCDC and the Jay County community and encouraged continued growth.
“Good things are happening here in Jay County, very positive things,” he said. “We can be proud of our community and our county and what this organization and other organizations are doing … to make the quality of life here the best that it can be.”