County leaders prepare for future collaboration, planning

Aiming to keep communication and collaboration going after Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program funding comes to an end, some Wayne County leaders want to begin another countywide planning effort.

During its Oct. 7 meeting, Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County board members voted to contribute up to $25,000 for a new review of county priorities and opportunities. 

The cost of HWC Engineering’s strategic planning is being finalized, but could be approximately $65,000. It will include municipal meetings, stakeholder meetings, descriptive projects pages for participating communities and the county, technical assistance, and a developed strategic investment plan. Among its goals, the plan would identify potential strategic investments and prioritize them, develop conceptual plans/budgets, identify potential gaps in funding/project delivery.  

Planning likely would start in January and continue for nine to 12 months. 

EDC President Valerie Shaffer said the process of getting town, city and county leaders to become acquainted, work together and leverage HELP spending was “incredibly beneficial.” 

Although no new money is available to spend as it was with HELP, Shaffer said it’s important for each community to have projects ready to go so they can apply quickly when local, state or federal grants are announced. Many of those opportunities have short timelines. 

During their Oct. 9 meeting, Wayne County’s commissioners voted 2-1 to approve the EDC’s expenditure and to spend up to $25,000 from the commissioners’ allocation of Wayne County’s EDIT funds. Mary Anne Butters cast the dissenting votes.

Butters said she could not vote for turning taxpayer dollars over to a private nonprofit that is not subject to public access regulations, which would negate public voices.

Shaffer said the planning would run through Forward Wayne County, coordinated by Acacia St. John, which has a steering committee. Commissioner Jeff Plasterer said there will be an open process with participating communities.

Commissioner Brad Dwenger said it’s important to move the county forward with the planning process.

Plasterer said he’s requesting $40,000 total from other organizations to cover the balance of the cost. While Richmond has supported the planning idea, it has not been asked to contribute funds, because smaller municipalities won’t be asked to contribute.

In other business

The board:

• Agreed to allow Shaffer to negotiate, contract with and oversee developers for Earlham College. EDC will help Lilly Endowment grant dollars flow between a developer for downtown Richmond revitalization and Earlham. The developer is willing to acquire four downtown properties and develop one block between 12th and 13th streets on East Main. The project is expected to add about 120 new market-rate apartment units and ground-level commercial space.   
• Learned one more remote worker has completed their move to Wayne County, bringing the total to 18. The original goal of 20 has been increased to 30. Workers’ average salaries exceed $100,000.   
• Approved the highest of five bidders, Hutchings Farms, to lease 424 acres for $340/acre at Midwest Industrial Park. Corn and soybeans will be rotated from 2025-2028. The $144,000 revenue goes to Richmond’s industrial park fund. 
• Learned asbestos inspections are being completed on properties selected for blight elimination teardown funds.