Funds OK’d to restore JCDC position

JCDC may bring back its community development director position.

Jay County Commissioners agreed Monday to allot up to $254,500 in economic development income tax (EDIT) funds to Jay County Development Corporation for 2026, subject to contract negotiations. The contribution factors in additional dollars to hire a third staff member.

The county hasn’t had a community development director through Jay County Development Corporation since Christy Shauver resigned in August 2022. For the last two years, the role of community coordinator — it was intended to be a similar position in relation to pursuing grants for the county — has been filled by East Central Indiana Regional Planning District. Nate Kimball and, in the last year, local resident Darlesia Lee have served in the position and shared an office space with JCDC and other departments at Community Resource Center in Portland.

Commissioners decided in July not to renew a two-year contract with East Central Indiana Regional Planning District, effectively ending Jay County’s community coordinator role.

Jay County Development Corporation executive director Ceann Bales pointed to commissioners’ decision regarding the East Central Indiana Regional Planning District contract. She presented two potential EDIT request amounts for JCDC next year: $254,500 for three employees or $159,250 for two employees.

 “We’re really asking for that third person to be added to our office to really expand our work, expand our scope into the community development field, and kind of pick up and keep running with that work that was done,” said Bales.

Commissioner Duane Monroe said he feels a third employee at JCDC would benefit the county.

“I personally think that third person would pay for themselves,” he said. “I think it would come out good, we would come out good, if it’s a true grant writer.”

Commissioners Doug Horn and Aker agreed, with Aker pointing to the additional work load Bales has taken on since the contract with East Central Indiana Regional Planning District expired this month.

“I know (Darlesia) was busy all the time, too,” said Aker. “There’s enough work out of, you’ve got her work too, you’re up over your head. I agree, I understand that, so you definitely do need a third person.”

Monroe questioned whether the county should allot up to a portion of JCDC’s full request, noting that a third employee hasn’t been hired yet. 

Aker noted if commissioners didn’t request the full amount in their budget for 2026, they would need to seek an additional appropriation. 

County attorney Wes Schemenaur noted Wednesday’s approval wasn’t a final say in whether to spend county dollars on projects. He suggested commissioners agree to allot up to a certain amount on JCDC for next year.

Commissioners Aker, Monroe and Horn then approved up to JCDC’s full request subject to contract negotiations. (Plans are to begin working on a contract with JCDC’s board of directors.)

Also Wednesday, commissioners approved giving $35,000 in EDIT funds to John Jay Center for Learning for medical training equipment.

The organization requested $75,000 for 2026. John Jay Center for Learning director Rusty Inman shared hopes to establish a training lab in Portland in order to begin offering Ivy Tech Community College classes for different medical certifications, including Certified Nursing Assistant and Licensed Practical Nurse. Plans are also in the works to establish residential trades — heating, ventilation and air conditioning, plumbing and electrical — programs in the future, which will also require additional equipment.

As of July 1, John Jay Center for Learning has moved from the Ivy Tech Marion service area to the Muncie service area, explained Inman. He noted various additional services the Muncie service area has to offer.

Horn asked if Ivy Tech is helping to pay for the medical equipment. Inman said the college will donate or buy some additional equipment, but it already has a fully stocked lab in Muncie.

“What we would run into is, it’s why John Jay was started,” he said. “You’ve got single mothers or people who live locally that want to enhance, they want to skill up, but they have got kids … driving 45 minutes in a three-hour class twice a week, driving 45 minutes home … it’s tough.”

Monroe voiced support for the project, pointing to local high school graduates who are interested in pursuing certifications in the medical field currently have to drive to other cities for Ivy Tech classes.

In 2025, the county had $930,897 EDIT dollars available. (That number had jumped from previous years, which were $636,967 in 2023 and $675,794 in 2024.) Next year, the county anticipates it will have $775,801 in EDIT dollars available.

Aker pointed to the decrease in funds for 2026, saying commissioners are trying to wean folks off coming to the county as a first option for a funding source. He suggested contributing $25,000 toward the cause.

After more discussion, commissioners decided to allot $35,000 to John Jay Center for Learning.

Commissioners also approved the following EDIT requests for 2026: $15,000 to Arts Place for Arts in the Parks; $10,000 to Jay County Chamber of Commerce for educational workshops; $5,000 to Jay County 4th of July Committee for Independence Day fireworks; $3,500 to East Central Indiana Small Business Development Center; $2,500 to Dunkirk Fire Department for Independence Day fireworks; $2,500 to Redkey Fire Department for Independence Day fireworks.

In other business, commissioners:

•Informally tabled discussion on whether to approve a $17,000 EDIT request from West Jay Community Center. Auditor Emily Franks noted she would reach out to the organization to request them to attend commissioners’ upcoming Monday meeting.

•Heard the county hasn’t received land appraisals for a 47-acre portion of 1702 W. Tyson Road, Portland. Jay County Council formally declared interest in the property last week and started the process for seeking appraisals for the land, which will be available for public auction Sept. 6.