July 5, 2017 at 3:15 p.m.
Future is bright despite hurdles
JCDC touts accomplishments, looks to upcoming projects
Future is bright despite hurdles
Much has been accomplished and future is bright, but there are challenges that need to be met.
That was the message offered Thursday from local officials and a guest speaker at Jay County Development Corporation’s annual meeting at Jay County Hospital.
“We are in the best of times, and we are in some of the most challenging times as we look ahead,” said JCDC executive director Bill Bradley.
His positive outlook included reference to Jay County’s low unemployment rate. It has been below 3 percent in each of the last two months, the lowest since 2000.
He also touted expansions over the last calendar year at Fort Recovery Industries, Joyce Dayton, Fisher Packing, TLS By Design and FCC, saying that more are planned in the coming months.
But he also referenced challenges, including a labor shortage that currently has an estimated 300 jobs unfilled in the county. To help with that issue, JCDC has partnered to create the job website www.hoosieropportunity.com.
He also pointed to the local drug problem as a key issue that must be addressed.
“That’s one of the issues I think we, as a community, need to tackle,” he said. “It’s a workforce issue now. It effects our workforce big time. That is an issue that I see as critical to the success of our initiatives over the years.”
Director of community development Ami Huffman reviewed the accomplishments of the last year, including $1.7 million in projects. Among those were construction of the new Redkey Fire Station and the senior center at Jay Community Center.
“Our seniors can go … and just really enjoy each other and have a sense of community of their own at all hours of the day, not just until 2 o’clock when the kids get out of school,” she said, also noting local road, sidewalk and blight removal projects. “This has been a great addition.”
Also underway thanks to a grant and loan from the United States Department of Agriculture is work to separate Redkey sewers and upgrade its wastewater treatment plant. Plans for this year include efforts to develop downtown revitalization plans for both Portland and Redkey. She also noted working on the drug problem and trying to develop a daycare facility as goals for 2017-18.
JCDC is also in the beginning stages of a process to develop a strategic plan for the next five-plus years. The board has heard from several guest speakers already, and in the coming months plans to use a community survey and focus groups to gain public input.
“There are some real changes in the landscape out there that we need to think about,” said JCDC board president Barb Street. “We are going to figure out what is right for our community, not just do what’s popular. Times have changed, and we must make sure we’re anticipating and preparing for those changes rather than reacting to them.”
The organization is partnering with Purdue Center for Regional Development to guide it through the strategic planning process, with director Bo Beaulieu visiting Thursday’s meeting. The center’s function, he said, is to provide guidance, data and paths to funding resources to help groups like JCDC.
He said his time spent living in other areas of the country that face even larger struggles than arise in Indiana has influenced his approach to economic and community development — to acknowledge the challenges that communities face but to place greater focus on working to make the positive aspects shine.
“That has really influenced the way I talk about community development. And this is, let’s not talk about the deficits. We want to be honest about that, but let’s talk about what do we have that we can build on? What are our assets?”
In other business, the board:
•Elected president Duane Sautbine, vice president Keith Muhlenkamp, secretary Lee Bone and treasurer Rex Journay as officers. Also elected Gyneth Augsburger, Doug Stanley, Doug Loy, Bob Lyons, Dan Watson, Ron Laux, Ashley Savieo and Sautbine to three-year terms on the board of directors.
•Thanked outgoing president Barb Street for her service.
•Was presented with the annual report, which showed an operating surplus of $6,542 for 2016.
That was the message offered Thursday from local officials and a guest speaker at Jay County Development Corporation’s annual meeting at Jay County Hospital.
“We are in the best of times, and we are in some of the most challenging times as we look ahead,” said JCDC executive director Bill Bradley.
His positive outlook included reference to Jay County’s low unemployment rate. It has been below 3 percent in each of the last two months, the lowest since 2000.
He also touted expansions over the last calendar year at Fort Recovery Industries, Joyce Dayton, Fisher Packing, TLS By Design and FCC, saying that more are planned in the coming months.
But he also referenced challenges, including a labor shortage that currently has an estimated 300 jobs unfilled in the county. To help with that issue, JCDC has partnered to create the job website www.hoosieropportunity.com.
He also pointed to the local drug problem as a key issue that must be addressed.
“That’s one of the issues I think we, as a community, need to tackle,” he said. “It’s a workforce issue now. It effects our workforce big time. That is an issue that I see as critical to the success of our initiatives over the years.”
Director of community development Ami Huffman reviewed the accomplishments of the last year, including $1.7 million in projects. Among those were construction of the new Redkey Fire Station and the senior center at Jay Community Center.
“Our seniors can go … and just really enjoy each other and have a sense of community of their own at all hours of the day, not just until 2 o’clock when the kids get out of school,” she said, also noting local road, sidewalk and blight removal projects. “This has been a great addition.”
Also underway thanks to a grant and loan from the United States Department of Agriculture is work to separate Redkey sewers and upgrade its wastewater treatment plant. Plans for this year include efforts to develop downtown revitalization plans for both Portland and Redkey. She also noted working on the drug problem and trying to develop a daycare facility as goals for 2017-18.
JCDC is also in the beginning stages of a process to develop a strategic plan for the next five-plus years. The board has heard from several guest speakers already, and in the coming months plans to use a community survey and focus groups to gain public input.
“There are some real changes in the landscape out there that we need to think about,” said JCDC board president Barb Street. “We are going to figure out what is right for our community, not just do what’s popular. Times have changed, and we must make sure we’re anticipating and preparing for those changes rather than reacting to them.”
The organization is partnering with Purdue Center for Regional Development to guide it through the strategic planning process, with director Bo Beaulieu visiting Thursday’s meeting. The center’s function, he said, is to provide guidance, data and paths to funding resources to help groups like JCDC.
He said his time spent living in other areas of the country that face even larger struggles than arise in Indiana has influenced his approach to economic and community development — to acknowledge the challenges that communities face but to place greater focus on working to make the positive aspects shine.
“That has really influenced the way I talk about community development. And this is, let’s not talk about the deficits. We want to be honest about that, but let’s talk about what do we have that we can build on? What are our assets?”
In other business, the board:
•Elected president Duane Sautbine, vice president Keith Muhlenkamp, secretary Lee Bone and treasurer Rex Journay as officers. Also elected Gyneth Augsburger, Doug Stanley, Doug Loy, Bob Lyons, Dan Watson, Ron Laux, Ashley Savieo and Sautbine to three-year terms on the board of directors.
•Thanked outgoing president Barb Street for her service.
•Was presented with the annual report, which showed an operating surplus of $6,542 for 2016.
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