June 2, 2021 at 6:03 p.m.
Funding OK’d, position is filled
Funding OK’d, position is filled
It was a busy day in development Tuesday.
Jay County Development Corporation’s board of directors agreed to contribute funding to the Pennville Library expansion project, heard a pitch for a new event and learned a new community developer has been hired.
JCDC executive director Travis Richards explained to the board that bids for the library expansion project came in at $443,000, significantly higher than the 2019 estimate of $330,000. (He noted that materials costs have gone up significantly during the coronavirus pandemic.)
He told the board that some cuts have been made to the project to bring costs down, but that additional funding is still needed. (The bulk of the project is being paid for by the $333,000 Jay! Region received for being a finalist in the 2019 Stellar Communities process.) He suggested that JCDC contribute the $50,000 in economic development funds from Bluff Point Wind Energy Center it had set aside for “infrastructure” goals. (Commissioners provided a total of $200,000 in funds for JCDC — $50,000 each for infrastructure, housing, workforce development and economic development projects.)
Board members voted unanimously in favor of contributing the $50,000 to the project, with the exception of Brian McGalliard’s abstention. (As a county commissioner, McGalliard will vote on final approval of the funds.)
Richards also presented plans for a new “Launch Jay” event similar to Grant County’s “Pitch Night” held in 2019. The idea is for a competition similar to the TV show “Shark Tank,” in which entrepreneurs present their business ideas in hopes of attracting investors.
The local version of the event, being planned by JCDC and Jay County Chamber of Commerce, would feature monetary prizes to be used to help launch or expand local businesses.
Plans call for participants to have an application turned in during July, attend Indiana Small Business Development Center workshops in Portland in August, submit pitch information in early September and then make their presentations at the “Launch Jay” event itself in late September.
Also Tuesday, Richards reported that Christy Shauver earlier in the day had accepted an offer to be the new director of Jay County Community Development. She currently works at Redkey Elementary School.
Shauver was selected from a field of nine candidates. She is scheduled to begin her new role June 21.
The position has been open since Ami Huffman’s resignation in mid-November. She had held the position since 2005.
Richards also updated the board that there continue to be a lot of job opportunities available in Jay County. He estimated there are at least 200 positions currently open.
He added, however, that the issue is widespread.
“We’re not much different than any other part of the country,” Richards said. “You’re seeing this everywhere.
He also reported that JCDC’s housing task force is continuing to discuss potential projects. One such possible development will be presented to Portland Plan Commission at its meeting Thursday.
Richards added that the inaugural “Signing Day” event, an effort to connect local high school seniors with area businesses and industries for jobs and/or internships, went well. He said there were about 30 potential offers from the employers to hire students.
In other business, the board:
•Received an update from Josh Atkinson that U.S. Aggregates’ request to rezone land for its planned quarry expansion is expected to come before Portland Plan Commission on July 1. JCDC’s board has expressed its support for the project.
•Learned from Richards that upgrades are being considered for the Hoosier Opportunity jobs website to make it more effective and user-friendly.
•Was reminded by Tabby Sprunger, executive director of the chamber of commerce, that ribbon-cutting ceremonies are scheduled for Friday for the Holiday Inn Express renovation and Good-Rich Brewery.
•Heard a reminder from Gyneth Augsburger of Jay County Visitor and Tourism Bureau that the National Center for Great Lakes Native American Culture’s Gathering of Great Lakes Nations is scheduled for June 12 and 13.
•Learned from Mark Leavell that several events are being planned in Redkey, including the fire department’s truck and tractor pull June 19.
Jay County Development Corporation’s board of directors agreed to contribute funding to the Pennville Library expansion project, heard a pitch for a new event and learned a new community developer has been hired.
JCDC executive director Travis Richards explained to the board that bids for the library expansion project came in at $443,000, significantly higher than the 2019 estimate of $330,000. (He noted that materials costs have gone up significantly during the coronavirus pandemic.)
He told the board that some cuts have been made to the project to bring costs down, but that additional funding is still needed. (The bulk of the project is being paid for by the $333,000 Jay! Region received for being a finalist in the 2019 Stellar Communities process.) He suggested that JCDC contribute the $50,000 in economic development funds from Bluff Point Wind Energy Center it had set aside for “infrastructure” goals. (Commissioners provided a total of $200,000 in funds for JCDC — $50,000 each for infrastructure, housing, workforce development and economic development projects.)
Board members voted unanimously in favor of contributing the $50,000 to the project, with the exception of Brian McGalliard’s abstention. (As a county commissioner, McGalliard will vote on final approval of the funds.)
Richards also presented plans for a new “Launch Jay” event similar to Grant County’s “Pitch Night” held in 2019. The idea is for a competition similar to the TV show “Shark Tank,” in which entrepreneurs present their business ideas in hopes of attracting investors.
The local version of the event, being planned by JCDC and Jay County Chamber of Commerce, would feature monetary prizes to be used to help launch or expand local businesses.
Plans call for participants to have an application turned in during July, attend Indiana Small Business Development Center workshops in Portland in August, submit pitch information in early September and then make their presentations at the “Launch Jay” event itself in late September.
Also Tuesday, Richards reported that Christy Shauver earlier in the day had accepted an offer to be the new director of Jay County Community Development. She currently works at Redkey Elementary School.
Shauver was selected from a field of nine candidates. She is scheduled to begin her new role June 21.
The position has been open since Ami Huffman’s resignation in mid-November. She had held the position since 2005.
Richards also updated the board that there continue to be a lot of job opportunities available in Jay County. He estimated there are at least 200 positions currently open.
He added, however, that the issue is widespread.
“We’re not much different than any other part of the country,” Richards said. “You’re seeing this everywhere.
He also reported that JCDC’s housing task force is continuing to discuss potential projects. One such possible development will be presented to Portland Plan Commission at its meeting Thursday.
Richards added that the inaugural “Signing Day” event, an effort to connect local high school seniors with area businesses and industries for jobs and/or internships, went well. He said there were about 30 potential offers from the employers to hire students.
In other business, the board:
•Received an update from Josh Atkinson that U.S. Aggregates’ request to rezone land for its planned quarry expansion is expected to come before Portland Plan Commission on July 1. JCDC’s board has expressed its support for the project.
•Learned from Richards that upgrades are being considered for the Hoosier Opportunity jobs website to make it more effective and user-friendly.
•Was reminded by Tabby Sprunger, executive director of the chamber of commerce, that ribbon-cutting ceremonies are scheduled for Friday for the Holiday Inn Express renovation and Good-Rich Brewery.
•Heard a reminder from Gyneth Augsburger of Jay County Visitor and Tourism Bureau that the National Center for Great Lakes Native American Culture’s Gathering of Great Lakes Nations is scheduled for June 12 and 13.
•Learned from Mark Leavell that several events are being planned in Redkey, including the fire department’s truck and tractor pull June 19.
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