Annual report shared

Jay County Development Corporation worked on more tax abatements for more than $22.5 million in investments, assisted small businesses with almost $400,000 in grants and loans, helped with various grants and handled other projects last year.

Travis Richards, executive director of JCDC, shared details about the organization’s work as he presented the 2023 annual report during its meeting Tuesday.

He referred to the organization’s mission statement — to enhance the quality of life in Jay County by assisting in the creation, retention and reinvestment of wealth and increasing the number and quality of employment opportunities — while noting work i the areas of attracting and growing industries and small businesses, applying for and managing grants, assisting with workforce development, advising local government and supporting planning efforts.

Simplified, he referred to JCDC’s role as being the “grease between the gears” of business, government and communities.

Richards noted tax abatements that helped spur investments by FCC (Indiana), Pioneer Warehousing, Pioneer Leasing, Minnich Poultry, Pennville Custom Cabinetry, Fort Recovery Industries, Joyce/Dayton and Sonoco. The investments totaled $22.64 million and created 53 new jobs.

“That business investment is really big for Jay County,” he said. “And I want to add that I could not be prouder of our industries for this. We’ve come through COVID, we’ve come through supply chain disruptions, we’ve come through workforce issues and yet they continue to invest here in Jay County.”

He also told the JCDC board about grants and loans for small business projects through Portland’s facade program, economic development income tax funds and Portland Redevelopment Commission that totaled $396,000 and led to $693,250 in investment.

“You put a little bit in the pot and you induce them to put more in the pot,” said Richards. “So you’re driving that cycle.”

He referenced various other activities and initiatives JCDC was involved in last year including the third Launch Jay! business pitch competition, Manufacturing Day for Jay County Junior-Senior High school students, grant work that included $750,000 secured for supporting childcare, funding for the Meridian Street storm sewer project in Portland and planning for the town of Redkey, the regional application for the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) and support for Portland Main Street Connect.

In other business, JCDC’s board:

•Heard reminders that the Jay County Fiber Arts Festival is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Jay Community Center, Jay County Fairgrounds will be hosting camping for the April 8 solar eclipse and Dunkirk’s Webster Depot Park will be hosting an event to celebrate the occurrence, Glad Tidings Church will host an Easter event March 16 at West Jay Community Center and Jay County Cancer Society will host its Dueling Pianos fundraiser at 7:30 p.m. April 6 at Jay County Fairgrounds.

•Learned from Jay County Commissioner Rex Journay that Jay County Solid Waste District is looking for a sight to build a new office.