Firm hired for new county position

It’s been about a year since Jay County’s last director of community development resigned.

On Monday, Jay County Commissioners made a hire as they embark down a new path to handle those job duties.

Commissioners approved a two-year contract for nearly $200,000, effective immediately, with East Central Indiana Regional Planning District.

Bill Waters, executive director of the regional planning district, explained the contract includes East Central Indiana Regional Planning District hiring a community coordinator to work out of Jay County. He said that individual will attend local meetings to learn about the county’s needs as they relate to available grants.

The position is intended to replace the former Jay County Community Development role, which has been eliminated from Jay County Development Corporation.

According to the contract, the organization will provide administrative support and services related to economic development projects, identify and work with consulting firms, assist commissioners in vetting and identifying projects, work with local officials, and be available for meetings as needed.

Commissioners Brian McGalliard and Aker praised the organization for its efforts in the last year with Jay County. McGalliard noted there is a termination clause with a two-month notice if needed in the future.

Commissioners updated the strategic investment plan created through the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program (HELP), an Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs process to help communities plan how to use their federal American Rescue Plan Act allocations. They amended the plan to highlight the $1.1 million purchase in February of 68 acres located on the western edge of Portland along Indiana 67, saying it counts as Jay County’s required match for an additional $1 million through HELP. (The program requires participants to allocate at least a third of their funds toward items in the plan. Plans have been discussed to use the land to create infrastructure for more housing, a multi-faceted public safety building or a new building for Jay County Solid Waste Management District.)

Commissioners opted into enhanced state funding for Jay County Health Department in 2024. Health department environmentalist and administrator Heath Butz explained in July that the county will receive at least $222,698 next year and a minimum of $445,396 in 2025 with the enhanced funding. The enhanced funding will double Jay County Health Department’s budget by 2025. Butz has suggested hiring a new position, such as a full-time school health liaison or a health educator.

In other business, commissioners:

•Appointed McGalliard as the commissioner representative for the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) 2.0 grant process.

•Tabled a $50,000 request from Firefly Children and Family Alliance, expressing interest to have the organization visit a meeting and share more information about the project it is working on.