JCDC approves agreement

Jay County Development Corporation approved a service agreement Tuesday with the county.

Board president Angela Paxson brought the service agreement to the Jay County Development Corporation board after it was approved along with $100,000 in funding by Jay County Commissioners last week. It is similar to a contract the county and JCDC agreed to for the second half of 2023. (They did not reach an agreement in 2024 and the county did not contribute any money to the organization.)

Paxson explained that the agreement runs through June 30, with JCDC and the county to look at additional funding and an agreement through the end of 2025 in the coming months.

It lays out the services JCDC will provide to the county, including:

•Providing resources to the county’s grant writer/community developer for grants and project development

•Assisting businesses in securing tax abatements

•Working with Jay County Redevelopment Commission and other local or regional groups

•Providing services to economic development income tax (EDIT) advisory committee

•Assisting the county with other economic development projects as requested

JCDC board member Doug Loy asked if longer-term contracts could be considered once a comfort level has been reached between parties. Paxson said she believes that will be the case.

Barb Street, a JCDC board member, thanked commissioners Doug Horn and Duane Monroe, who voted in favor of the funding and the agreement. She said she appreciates the support and indicated that it allows the organization to move forward with seeking to hire a new executive director. (JCDC had drained its reserves in 2024 without funding from the county.)

The Jay County Development Corporation board approved the agreement unanimously.

Street, who is chairing the interview committee for a new executive director, said the group plans to meet again Monday to review resumes and move the process forward. There are about 25 applicants for the position thus far. (Street said applications will remain open until the position is filled.)

The committee is made up of Barb Street, Rusty Inman, Bryan Alexander, Chad Aker, Jack Robbins, Doug Loy, Dave Golden and Paxson. 

In other business:

•Alexander urged attendance at a Third House Session with local legislators scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at John Jay Center for Learning. He said he is “disturbed” by some of the bills being considered in the Indiana Statehouse this year, specifically mentioning Senate Bill 1 and its impact on tax revenue for local government units.

•Paxson reported that the 25-member JCDC board had 24 members at the end of 2024, with four members — Alicia Corwin, Mike Fisher, Ryan Johnson and Matt Minnich — not planning to return for 2025. She said the nominating committee is working on finding individuals to fill the open roles and asked board members to make suggestions.

•The board received its 2025 meeting schedule. It meets regularly at 4 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each even-numbered month in the board room at Community Resource Center, 118 S. Meridian St., Portland. It also asks members to have the same time on the second Tuesday of odd-numbered months for informational meetings or if a special meeting is needed.

•JCDC administrative assistant Jodi Hayes provided a report about ongoing activities, including recent tax abatements for Fisher Packing in Redkey and Joyce/Dayton in Portland, assistance with loan information for businesses, helping the City of Dunkirk work on plans for a grant application through the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs and completing documentation for the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI 2.0).

•Portland Mayor Jeff Westlake thanked all of the JCDC members for their efforts to work together for the betterment of the community.

•Mary Adair of Jay County Visitors and Tourism Bureau provided reminders that a Jay County Fair Collectibles Show will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the Bubp Building at Jay County Fairgrounds; a Vendor and Craft Show is set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Lions Club Civic Center, 307 E. 100 North, Portland; and “Splashin’ with a Passion: Peggy’s Plunge” is scheduled for noon Saturday behind Moser Engineering, 102 E. Performance Drive, Portland.