February 8, 2017 at 6:27 p.m.
JCDC to begin planning process
JCDC to begin planning process
After nearly a decade, Jay County Development Corporation is working to develop a new strategic plan.
JCDC executive director Bill Bradley told board members at Tuesday’s meeting that a new strategic planning process is moving forward. The last such plan was completed in 2008.
The board also approved budgets for 2017 and got an update on plans for improvements to Portland’s industrial park.
Bradley is working on an agreement with Purdue Center for Regional Development to guide JCDC through the planning process. He expects the total cost of the process to be about $7,000 and has requested $4,000 in funding from The Portland Foundation.
As strategic planning begins, Bradley has already invited several speakers to visit Jay County to share their views. First on that list is Dan Zuerner of Garmong Construction, Terre Haute, who speak at 4 p.m. March 16 at Community Resource Center in Portland.
Michael Hicks, a Ball State University economics professor will visit the JCDC board’s regularly scheduled April 4 meeting to address the board. Bradley noted that he is also attempting get Morton Marcus, an Indiana economist whose column runs weekly in The Commercial Review, to speak as well.
The board approved 2017 budgets for both Jay County Development Corporation and Jay County Community Development.
The JCDC budget came in at $192,129, which is down about $2,000 from 2016. JCCD’s budget came in at $94,660 with the base staying the same at $90,160 with an additional $4,500 coming from grant funds for administration of Dunkirk’s blight elimination program.
Bradley reported that plans for improvements to the industrial park, which would include new roads off of county roads 100 North and 100 East, include seeking funding via the state’s Community Crossings grant program if it is available this year.
JCDC executive director Bill Bradley told board members at Tuesday’s meeting that a new strategic planning process is moving forward. The last such plan was completed in 2008.
The board also approved budgets for 2017 and got an update on plans for improvements to Portland’s industrial park.
Bradley is working on an agreement with Purdue Center for Regional Development to guide JCDC through the planning process. He expects the total cost of the process to be about $7,000 and has requested $4,000 in funding from The Portland Foundation.
As strategic planning begins, Bradley has already invited several speakers to visit Jay County to share their views. First on that list is Dan Zuerner of Garmong Construction, Terre Haute, who speak at 4 p.m. March 16 at Community Resource Center in Portland.
Michael Hicks, a Ball State University economics professor will visit the JCDC board’s regularly scheduled April 4 meeting to address the board. Bradley noted that he is also attempting get Morton Marcus, an Indiana economist whose column runs weekly in The Commercial Review, to speak as well.
The board approved 2017 budgets for both Jay County Development Corporation and Jay County Community Development.
The JCDC budget came in at $192,129, which is down about $2,000 from 2016. JCCD’s budget came in at $94,660 with the base staying the same at $90,160 with an additional $4,500 coming from grant funds for administration of Dunkirk’s blight elimination program.
Bradley reported that plans for improvements to the industrial park, which would include new roads off of county roads 100 North and 100 East, include seeking funding via the state’s Community Crossings grant program if it is available this year.
The program could provide up to $500,000 for the project, with other money slated to come from about $1 million in economic development funds the county will receive as part of their agreement with Bluff Point Wind Energy Center developer NextEra Energy.
Bob Lyons, a JCDC board member and long-time supporter of the wind farm project, questioned whether the corporation had been transparent enough in discussing its plans for the economic development funds. He told the board he had been approached with a petition from southern Jay County residents requesting at at least some of the funds be targeted at projects, such as roads, in the area where the wind farm is being developed.
The board also learned from community development director Ami Huffman that work on the new senior center at Jay Community Center is complete. The organization is waiting for an inspection to be completed before setting a grand opening date.
Jay County Chamber of Commerce executive director Dean Sanders reminded board members that the Business Expo and Job Fair is scheduled for April 1 at Jay Community Center. The chamber is also partnering for a high school innovation competition this year, with the Innovation Fair scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon April 22 at John Jay Center.
Bradley also reported to the board that:
•He has two presentations scheduled with local developers to discuss the possibility of a new housing subdivision in Portland. The plans stem from a housing study completed earlier this year.
He also said several businesses have shown interest in moving to or expanding in Portland’s industrial park and that he and Huffman are working with entrepreneurs about possible new restaurants in Portland and Dunkirk.
•Goals for the organization for 2017 include supporting workforce needs of the community, increasing sites for business location and expansion and reviewing its funding strategy in addition to working through the strategic planning process.
•Plans are moving forward for a jobs website in partnership with Randolph and Wayne Counties. Start-up costs for the site will be funded through a Skill UP grant from Indiana Department of Workforce Development.
•The beginnings of discussions toward forming a local young professionals group are underway.
Bob Lyons, a JCDC board member and long-time supporter of the wind farm project, questioned whether the corporation had been transparent enough in discussing its plans for the economic development funds. He told the board he had been approached with a petition from southern Jay County residents requesting at at least some of the funds be targeted at projects, such as roads, in the area where the wind farm is being developed.
The board also learned from community development director Ami Huffman that work on the new senior center at Jay Community Center is complete. The organization is waiting for an inspection to be completed before setting a grand opening date.
Jay County Chamber of Commerce executive director Dean Sanders reminded board members that the Business Expo and Job Fair is scheduled for April 1 at Jay Community Center. The chamber is also partnering for a high school innovation competition this year, with the Innovation Fair scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon April 22 at John Jay Center.
Bradley also reported to the board that:
•He has two presentations scheduled with local developers to discuss the possibility of a new housing subdivision in Portland. The plans stem from a housing study completed earlier this year.
He also said several businesses have shown interest in moving to or expanding in Portland’s industrial park and that he and Huffman are working with entrepreneurs about possible new restaurants in Portland and Dunkirk.
•Goals for the organization for 2017 include supporting workforce needs of the community, increasing sites for business location and expansion and reviewing its funding strategy in addition to working through the strategic planning process.
•Plans are moving forward for a jobs website in partnership with Randolph and Wayne Counties. Start-up costs for the site will be funded through a Skill UP grant from Indiana Department of Workforce Development.
•The beginnings of discussions toward forming a local young professionals group are underway.
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