April 10, 2018 at 4:56 p.m.
Bradley responds to commissioners
Bradley responds to commissioners
Bill Bradley, executive director of Jay County Development Corporation, on Monday addressed a series of questions and concerns that had been raised last month by Jay County Commissioners.
At their March 12 meeting, commissioners grilled Bradley on a variety of issues and asked him to provide specifics on recent economic success stories in the county. Their concerns included:
•The lack of a clear plan for use of economic development dollars from Bluff Point Wind Energy Center.
•The need for shovel-ready sites.
•How many new businesses have been brought to the county.
•Funding of JCDC.
•The need for housing.
•The status of JCDC loans.
Bradley, who has been with JCDC since September 2007, presented commissioners with a binder of documents and made comments during a discussion that got a bit contentious between Bradley and commissioner Barry Hudson on the issues of housing and JCDC funding.
Bradley said he is working on forming a committee, likely to be focused on Portland and Dunkirk, to work on housing. Hudson questioned why a committee has not yet been formed, given that a housing study was complete more than a year ago. Bradley responded that a committee will be formed soon and that he plans to have a quantitative study, which will include talking to local businesses and industries about their employees’ specific housing needs, within the next six months.
Hudson was also critical of JCDC’s funding, saying that it was his understanding that an agreement had been reached to have the City of Portland and private donors pick up more of the cost so as to lighten the load on the county. Bradley said that such an agreement had been reached, and Hudson asked that specific details be presented about how that has been implemented.
At their March 12 meeting, commissioners grilled Bradley on a variety of issues and asked him to provide specifics on recent economic success stories in the county. Their concerns included:
•The lack of a clear plan for use of economic development dollars from Bluff Point Wind Energy Center.
•The need for shovel-ready sites.
•How many new businesses have been brought to the county.
•Funding of JCDC.
•The need for housing.
•The status of JCDC loans.
Bradley, who has been with JCDC since September 2007, presented commissioners with a binder of documents and made comments during a discussion that got a bit contentious between Bradley and commissioner Barry Hudson on the issues of housing and JCDC funding.
Bradley said he is working on forming a committee, likely to be focused on Portland and Dunkirk, to work on housing. Hudson questioned why a committee has not yet been formed, given that a housing study was complete more than a year ago. Bradley responded that a committee will be formed soon and that he plans to have a quantitative study, which will include talking to local businesses and industries about their employees’ specific housing needs, within the next six months.
Hudson was also critical of JCDC’s funding, saying that it was his understanding that an agreement had been reached to have the City of Portland and private donors pick up more of the cost so as to lighten the load on the county. Bradley said that such an agreement had been reached, and Hudson asked that specific details be presented about how that has been implemented.
On the issue of the loans, Bradley noted that there are only two outstanding loans — one to Fort Recovery Construction and Equipment and the other to GFT Corporation — that are connected to county funds. He said efforts are being made to recoup the lost money from those loans, which were approved in 2010 and 2005 respectively.
In addressing his impact on local business and industry, Bradley pointed out that the bulk of his time is spent on retention and expansion rather than attraction of new companies. He provided a list of businesses he has assisted tax abatements, finding buildings and working with Indiana Economic Development Corporation over the last three years.
Bradley presented options for use of the economic development money from the wind farm, including enhancements to Portland’s industrial park, a housing/rent assistance program and scholarships for John Jay Center for Learning students. Commissioners asked him to come back with a more defined plan after meeting with his executive committee later this month.
One of the possible uses for that money — enhancements to the industrial park — addressed the concern about the need for shovel-ready sites. Bradley said rather than building a new road in the industrial park, it might make sense to work with Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs to certify sites. That would be less expensive and include items such as soil boring so that interested industries would know what kind of site they’re looking at developing.
In addressing his impact on local business and industry, Bradley pointed out that the bulk of his time is spent on retention and expansion rather than attraction of new companies. He provided a list of businesses he has assisted tax abatements, finding buildings and working with Indiana Economic Development Corporation over the last three years.
Bradley presented options for use of the economic development money from the wind farm, including enhancements to Portland’s industrial park, a housing/rent assistance program and scholarships for John Jay Center for Learning students. Commissioners asked him to come back with a more defined plan after meeting with his executive committee later this month.
One of the possible uses for that money — enhancements to the industrial park — addressed the concern about the need for shovel-ready sites. Bradley said rather than building a new road in the industrial park, it might make sense to work with Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs to certify sites. That would be less expensive and include items such as soil boring so that interested industries would know what kind of site they’re looking at developing.
Top Stories
9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit
Chartwells marketing
September 17, 2024 7:36 a.m.
Events
250 X 250 AD