February 8, 2017 at 6:28 p.m.
Future seems bright
Future seems bright
DUNKIRK — The year ahead looks bright, Mayor Gene Ritter said this morning in his annual State of the City Address to the Jay County Chamber of Commerce.
“It looks like 2017 is going to be a year of good things happening in Dunkirk,” Ritter said.
The mayor announced that the Dunkirk Investment Group had sold the Todd Opera House building to a company interested in developing the space as home for two restaurants and perhaps an entertainment venue.
Restore Downtown LLC has acquired the building, and principals of the firm — Bill Brown and Ray Willey — are likely to appear at an upcoming Dunkirk City Council meeting to brief the city on its plans. The firm is now involved in a project in New Castle and has done restoration and development projects nationally.
“I think that’s huge,” said Ritter.
The mayor also said the city hopes to know by the end of the month whether its latest proposal for a senior housing project has won approval from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Administration.
“It looks like 2017 is going to be a year of good things happening in Dunkirk,” Ritter said.
The mayor announced that the Dunkirk Investment Group had sold the Todd Opera House building to a company interested in developing the space as home for two restaurants and perhaps an entertainment venue.
Restore Downtown LLC has acquired the building, and principals of the firm — Bill Brown and Ray Willey — are likely to appear at an upcoming Dunkirk City Council meeting to brief the city on its plans. The firm is now involved in a project in New Castle and has done restoration and development projects nationally.
“I think that’s huge,” said Ritter.
The mayor also said the city hopes to know by the end of the month whether its latest proposal for a senior housing project has won approval from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Administration.
The senior housing project has been part of past efforts by Dunkirk to win the state’s Stellar Communities competition.
In addition, said Ritter, he continues to work with local entrepreneur Dru Hall on attracting a grocery store to Dunkirk.
“That’s something we really need,” he said. Two companies are giving the city a look.
Ritter was upbeat about the prospects for industrial growth as well, saying he has worked with Jay County Development Corporation about installing fiber optic internet access in the industrial park area.
“I want to focus more, work more with our industries and bring in some complimentary industries,” he said.
“I still have a lot to learn,” said the first-term mayor. With a full-time job, part-time service as mayor and a family to raise, “It’s been a lot to juggle.”
Ritter praised the city’s ongoing efforts at blight removal and said he hasn’t given up hope of adding “one or maybe two” officers to the Dunkirk Police Department if room can be found in the city’s budget.
Jay County Commissioners will report on the State of the County at the chamber’s networking luncheon next month.
In addition, said Ritter, he continues to work with local entrepreneur Dru Hall on attracting a grocery store to Dunkirk.
“That’s something we really need,” he said. Two companies are giving the city a look.
Ritter was upbeat about the prospects for industrial growth as well, saying he has worked with Jay County Development Corporation about installing fiber optic internet access in the industrial park area.
“I want to focus more, work more with our industries and bring in some complimentary industries,” he said.
“I still have a lot to learn,” said the first-term mayor. With a full-time job, part-time service as mayor and a family to raise, “It’s been a lot to juggle.”
Ritter praised the city’s ongoing efforts at blight removal and said he hasn’t given up hope of adding “one or maybe two” officers to the Dunkirk Police Department if room can be found in the city’s budget.
Jay County Commissioners will report on the State of the County at the chamber’s networking luncheon next month.
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