EDIT funding requests get OK

Two local organizations’ funding requests have been approved.

Jay County Commissioners are now asking those interested in funds next year to submit requests by June 23.

Commissioners approved a $50,000 economic development income tax (EDIT) funding request from John Jay Center for Learning and a $5,000 EDIT funding request from Jay County 4th of July Committee on Monday. They also set a date for organizations to submit requests for next year’s allotment.

In February, commissioners rescinded a five-year EDIT capital improvement plan, which had been in place since 2021. They also put into place an application process for organizations requesting EDIT dollars from the county.

Since then, commissioners have approved requests from nearly all those previously slated to receive funding, including $15,000 for the Arts in the Parks program through Arts Place, $5,000 to Jay County Chamber of Commerce and $2,000 to Jay County Historical Society. (Jay County Development Corporation’s budget claim was tabled several times at commissioners meetings, but half of its budget was approved in March. JCDC will seek the remainder in June, a process that is typical for how the organization receives its funding annually. JCDC and county officials have all been back and forth in discussions relating to officials’ involvement on JCDC’s board.)

Rusty Inman, executive director of John Jay Center for Learning, recently submitted a funding application requesting $50,000. (John Jay Center for Learning had received $70,000 annually prior to cuts during the budgeting process in the fall.)

The funding will go toward the industrial manufacturing training program at John Jay Center for Learning. Inman noted Monday the amount of factories in Jay County. At least 50% of jobs in the community, he said, are manufacturing-based.

“That’s what we do, we’re a blue-collar town,” Inman said.

Answering a question from commissioner Brian McGalliard, he said the city of Portland contributes $10,000 in EDIT funds to the organization annually.

Randy Roll of FCC (Indiana) in Portland advocated for the program.

“We fought for years and years and years to get to this,” he said. “Now that we have this program here, we don’t want to let this slip out of our community. I have more people who have been employed with this, just personally, at our plant. So I really, really see a strong reason in the manufacturing world to have this program here. Just want to make sure that you understand that there are some real, live … progress that comes out of this program.”

Commissioners president Chad Aker spoke in favor of the program as a way to draw people to Jay County. McGalliard pointed out he would like to see the organization grow and offer more programs in the future, such as training for plumbing and construction.

Commissioners approved the $50,000 request.

They also approved a $5,000 EDIT funding request from George Patterson of the Jay County 4th of July Committee for the annual Independence Day parade and fireworks display. (Commissioners contribute toward the event each year.)

Near the end of Monday’s three-hour meeting, Aker said they would like to receive funding applications in advance for the budgeting process. Requests need to be submitted to the county by June 23.

“I think it’s only fair, like I said, what we’ve been trying to do is be more responsible with those dollars and trying to make those go further for the county when it comes to these future projects that we’ve got in the works,” said Aker. “We just want to be more responsible with this money and we want to make people more accountable … we want to make sure we’re getting this money out here where it needs to go and not just doing it because we’ve always done it.”



Editor’s note: Another story detailing other activities at the commissioners’ meeting will be in Wednesday’s newspaper.