JCDC OKs budget

The Jay County Development Corporation board of directors unanimously approved the 2024 budget at $224,816.04.

The main point of discussion on the budget was raises for employees, with the executive committee having asked to see numbers for 3%, 5% and 6% increases.

Most board members spoke in favor of a 5% increase to match the average that has been approved for the county, school corporation and other government entities. But several also expressed concern about the projected deficit spending of about $8,000 in 2024.

Josh Atkinson asked if there is a plan to bring in additional funding while Chad Towell asked if there are any line items in the budget that can be cut back. (JCDC executive director Travis Richards said he took direction from the board, which previously indicated a desire to not become a fundraising organization, and said while there is probably some room to cut in other areas it would not make up for the full deficit.)

Joe Johnston ultimately made a motion to approve the budget with 5% raises while asking the organization’s executive committee to present a recommendation in the first quarter of 2024 for how to cover the funding gap.

“We just can’t go blindly ahead and anticipate another deficit budget for ’25,” said Johnston. “We can’t accept that. We have to have some sort of a plan.”

Board members voted unanimously in favor of Johnston’s motion, approving the budget at $224,816.04.

Richards also noted that the board is scheduled to elect officers at its first meeting of 2024. He added that there was some discussion amongst the executive committee about adding a second vice president. (The option of having multiple vice presidents has always been available via the organization’s bylaws, but it has previously only utilized one.)

The board expressed support for adding a second vice president in order to prepare members to step into the role of president in the future. There was some discussion about whether to have the vice presidents on parallel or staggered two-year terms.

Richards also issued a reminder that the call for projects is open for the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI), a state program that can allocate up to $75 million apiece ($500 million total) to regions across the state. (Jay County is part of a region that also includes Blackford, Grant, Delaware, Randolph, Henry, Wayne and Fayette counties.)

Anyone can submit a project by visiting forgeeci.com/project-portal. The deadline is Nov. 17.

Tabby Sprunger, executive director of Jay County Chamber of Commerce, also told the board that the chamber, JCDC, United Way of Jay County and The Portland Foundation are partnering on an opportunity for grant funding through the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. The program has $25 million available through the Employer-Sponsored Child Care Fund to support employers and communities in providing or expanding child care.

The grant requires a 10% match.

Local employers interested in participating can email [email protected]. The grant has a quick turn-around time, with those interested in taking part needing to inform the chamber no later than Wednesday, Nov. 15.

In other business:

•Sprunger noted that Winterfest begins next weekend with Christmas at the Courthouse at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, and the Kids Karnival and Breakfast, Little Miss Winterfest Pageant and Parade of Lights on Saturday, Nov. 18.

•Learned from Faron Parr that the Bryant Park trail project is nearly complete. The community will celebrate with a community chili lunch at noon Saturday at Bryant Community Center and a short dedication to follow at 1 p.m.

•Heard a request from Mary Adair of Jay County Visitor and Tourism Bureau to submit events to her for the 2024 calendar by the first half of December.

•Richards updated the board on the Launch Jay! event held last month. Dawn Alicea’s Blessings Photography took first place and the audience favorite award at the event. Richard’s also noted that he and Sprunger attended the Randolph County Open for Business competition, which was modeled after Launch Jay!

•Heard from Richards about various recent business investments, including projects at Fort Recovery Industries, Pioneer Warehousing and Joyce/Dayton.