JCDC approves contract

Jay County Development Corporation has approved its contract with The City of Portland.

The board of works will consider the deal today.

JCDC’s board of directors unanimously approved its contract with the city during its meeting Tuesday.

The board also agreed to more forward with an application for the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs’ new Rural Empowerment and Development Program.

JCDC executive director Travis Richards visited Portland City Council last month to discuss funding from the city, which has been $50,000 for the last few years. Following a question from council member Ron May, city attorney Wes Schemenaur said his reading of state statute is that a contract is required and he recommended that one be in place before any funds are dispersed.

Council members unanimously approved council president Kent McClung’s motion to approve the funding contingent on a contract at the status quo, meaning no requests for changes to board membership or new definitions of duties that have been requested by Jay County Commissioners in their separate contract negotiations. 

Since then, Richards shared a previous version of the contract to the city, with Schemenaur making minor language updates. The board reviewed the contract Tuesday and approved it unanimously.

Also Tuesday, Richards advocated for taking part in the Rural Empowerment and Development Program, a planning process to build capacity in rural communities.

Board president Angela Paxson and Richards both said they feel JCDC should apply in partnership with local government units to show the community can work together.

“I think that’s a huge thing,” agreed board member Bryan Alexander. “I feel like there’s an opportunity, now, for JCDC to have a leadership role in the community show what we, this board and this organization is about.”

He expressed that JCDC’s mission should be addressing quality of life issues.

Board members asked if participating in the program would lead to future grant funding. Richards said there is nothing currently identified.

“One thing for sure, it may or may not lead to money,” said board member Chad Towell, “but it for sure won’t if you don’t participate.”

“You need a strategy, whether there’s money that comes (or not),” said board member Barb Street. “When an opportunity is there, if you don’t have a strategy … it’s obvious when somebody just tries to throw something together.”

The board informally agreed to move forward with the application process.

Board members also briefly discussed the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI 2.0), with Jay County Commissioner Rex Journay asking about timelines and the process for project selection. Richards explained that the East Central Region’s steering committee has met and presented projects to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation for its review. He said he expects the list of projects to be finalized by the end of the month and that the regional steering committee will have significant input with the projects that are selected. The region, which includes Jay, Randolph, Blackford, Delaware, Grant, Henry, Wayne and Fayette counties, was awarded $35 million through READI 2.0.

The board also looked at its 2025 budget, which is expected to be up for approval in February. Richards noted that at current funding levels the organization would have a budget deficit next year. He asked board members to consider ways to increase funding.

Richards added that he feels the organization should go back to three employees by bringing back the Jay County Community Development position that was eliminated when Jay County Commissioners decided to hire their own community coordinator.

The board also received various updates from members:

•The Indiana Department of Transportation U.S. 27 (Meridian Street) project that was slated to be complete next week is now expected to stretch into November, said Portland Mayor Jeff Westlake.

•A thank you from Jay School Corporation assistant superintendent Trent Paxson regarding the community’s support following damage to Jay County Junior-Senior High School in the Sept. 22 tornado.

•Events scheduled this weekend include:

      —The Portland Lions Club and Portland Optimist Club Hot Cakes for Cold Kids breakfast from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Lions Civic Center, 307 E. 100 North, Portland. (Attendees are asked to bring a new or gently used coat for a free breakfast or purchase a meal for $10, with the proceeds going toward the effort to purchase coats. Kids under 14 will eat for free.)

    —The Main Street USA craft show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at West Jay Elementary School in Dunkirk.

    —Jay County Historical Society’s Heritage Festival that was postponed last weekend will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Jay County Historical Museum, 903 E. Main St., Portland

    —A ribbon-cutting and open house for Jay County Baseball Club’s The Clubhouse, an indoor training facility at 822 S. 500 West, Portland, from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday.

    —The Launch Jay! business pitch competition at 6 p.m. Saturday in the auditorium at Jay County Junior-Senior High School.