February 2, 2018 at 6:15 p.m.
Change could help Jay Co.
Stellar promoting regional approach
Change could help Jay Co.
Dunkirk has been a finalist for the state’s Stellar Communities designation.
Portland has been an applicant.
A change to the program could create a new opportunity for both communities, as well as others in Jay County.
Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch announced Wednesday that the state is changing its approach to the Stellar Communities program, shifting from one that focused on individual municipalities to one that will emphasize a regional approach.
“Stellar communities will no longer be applying as individual communities. We are now looking for applicants to be collaborating with their neighbors on creating a regional development plan,” said Jodi Golden, executive director of Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, in a press release following the announcement. “Each submission should discuss how they believe each community uniquely works together to create one complementary region.”
“We are all a part of this great state, and through the regional Stellar Community program, we must continue to improve our neighborhoods and encourage a partnership between communities,” Crouch said. “Through OCRA’s Stellar Program, we are supporting initiatives to attract, retain and develop talent in and around Indiana, and to do this our communities must work together.”
With the change, no individual municipality, like Dunkirk or Portland, will have to shoulder the load of applying for the program alone. Instead, two cities or towns, or more, could partner in an effort to get major projects done in their communities.
It’s an approach Jay County community developer Ami Huffman had mentioned as a possibility, though it didn’t fit under the program’s previous guidelines.
Portland has been an applicant.
A change to the program could create a new opportunity for both communities, as well as others in Jay County.
Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch announced Wednesday that the state is changing its approach to the Stellar Communities program, shifting from one that focused on individual municipalities to one that will emphasize a regional approach.
“Stellar communities will no longer be applying as individual communities. We are now looking for applicants to be collaborating with their neighbors on creating a regional development plan,” said Jodi Golden, executive director of Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, in a press release following the announcement. “Each submission should discuss how they believe each community uniquely works together to create one complementary region.”
“We are all a part of this great state, and through the regional Stellar Community program, we must continue to improve our neighborhoods and encourage a partnership between communities,” Crouch said. “Through OCRA’s Stellar Program, we are supporting initiatives to attract, retain and develop talent in and around Indiana, and to do this our communities must work together.”
With the change, no individual municipality, like Dunkirk or Portland, will have to shoulder the load of applying for the program alone. Instead, two cities or towns, or more, could partner in an effort to get major projects done in their communities.
It’s an approach Jay County community developer Ami Huffman had mentioned as a possibility, though it didn’t fit under the program’s previous guidelines.
She said she had also heard that Attica and Williamsport, communities separated by about 3 miles along Indiana 28 in the western part of the state, had also been pushing for such a change.
While any community can apply, Crouch noted that working with past Stellar designees and finalists is “highly encouraged.” That would seem to put Dunkirk on the short list of communities that could have a leg up in the process.
“I think it’s exciting because when Dunkirk tried for the Stellar they put everything they had into it … and it still just wasn’t quite enough,” said Huffman. “So I think the opportunity to partner with another community or to partner as a county together is a step in the right direction.”
Both Portland Mayor Randy Geesaman and Redkey Town Council president Doug Stanley expressed excitement about the change and the possibilities it creates locally.
“I think it’s a fantastic idea,” said Geesaman. “They (the state) keep promoting regionalism, and if we went together as a group countywide, I think it’s fantastic. I would love to participate, and I think we should seriously consider it.”
Though not mentioning a specific project, he said downtown revitalization would likely be a focus for Portland if it were to be part of a group that applied for the Stellar program. The city’s 2011 Stellar application under then-Mayor Bruce Hosier included development of a daycare center in the space that now houses The Rock church, construction of a streetscape along Meridian Street between Votaw Street and Industrial Park Drive and the separation of some of the city’s combined sewers.
Dunkirk, which was a finalist in 2015 when the designation went to North Liberty, had a senior housing project in the downtown area at the center of its application. It was also seeking funding to renovate the Stewart Brothers Building into a new home for the library and glass museum and to install new sidewalks and street lights.
Redkey has never applied for the program, though Stanley said his community was watching the Dunkirk process closely as a potential model for doing so in the future. The community’s wish list, he said, is topped by renovation of the clocktower and repurposing of the former fire station.
Partnering with other area communities in an effort to complete such projects would be a boon for the town, he said.
“That’s definitely something we’d be interested in,” said Stanley. “I think this is exciting. I don’t know who came up with the idea, but it’s a good idea. …
“This is good news.”
The stellar program is administered by OCRA and involves several state government agencies partnering to provide funding and tax credits for development projects in small communities. It has allocated nearly $90 million since 2011.
More details about administration of the program are scheduled to be released Wednesday.
While any community can apply, Crouch noted that working with past Stellar designees and finalists is “highly encouraged.” That would seem to put Dunkirk on the short list of communities that could have a leg up in the process.
“I think it’s exciting because when Dunkirk tried for the Stellar they put everything they had into it … and it still just wasn’t quite enough,” said Huffman. “So I think the opportunity to partner with another community or to partner as a county together is a step in the right direction.”
Both Portland Mayor Randy Geesaman and Redkey Town Council president Doug Stanley expressed excitement about the change and the possibilities it creates locally.
“I think it’s a fantastic idea,” said Geesaman. “They (the state) keep promoting regionalism, and if we went together as a group countywide, I think it’s fantastic. I would love to participate, and I think we should seriously consider it.”
Though not mentioning a specific project, he said downtown revitalization would likely be a focus for Portland if it were to be part of a group that applied for the Stellar program. The city’s 2011 Stellar application under then-Mayor Bruce Hosier included development of a daycare center in the space that now houses The Rock church, construction of a streetscape along Meridian Street between Votaw Street and Industrial Park Drive and the separation of some of the city’s combined sewers.
Dunkirk, which was a finalist in 2015 when the designation went to North Liberty, had a senior housing project in the downtown area at the center of its application. It was also seeking funding to renovate the Stewart Brothers Building into a new home for the library and glass museum and to install new sidewalks and street lights.
Redkey has never applied for the program, though Stanley said his community was watching the Dunkirk process closely as a potential model for doing so in the future. The community’s wish list, he said, is topped by renovation of the clocktower and repurposing of the former fire station.
Partnering with other area communities in an effort to complete such projects would be a boon for the town, he said.
“That’s definitely something we’d be interested in,” said Stanley. “I think this is exciting. I don’t know who came up with the idea, but it’s a good idea. …
“This is good news.”
The stellar program is administered by OCRA and involves several state government agencies partnering to provide funding and tax credits for development projects in small communities. It has allocated nearly $90 million since 2011.
More details about administration of the program are scheduled to be released Wednesday.
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