Blight elimination efforts are moving forward around Wayne County with new funding guidelines.
At its Feb. 5 board meeting, Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County approved criteria largely created by Sarah Mitchell, EDC’s economic development manager.
Mitchell oversaw Richmond’s Blight Elimination Program several years ago while working for the city.
Previously, EDC and Wayne County each committed $390,000 from EDIT funds for county demolitions.
Richmond also approved $343,776 of its Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program money to support its Unsafe Building Commission efforts.
All seek to improve neighborhoods and reduce unsafe properties and crimes including arson and vandalism.
Towns must apply to the EDC for funds for each property by July 1 and ensure they’re spent by the end of 2025.
Eligible communities are Cambridge City, Centerville, Dublin, East Germantown, Economy, Hagerstown, Milton, Richmond, Spring Grove and unincorporated areas.
Eligibility comes from participating in HELP or contributing Consolidated EDIT funds.
EDC staff met with representatives from each community to learn their needs before finalizing guidelines.
A few highlights:
- Properties must be residential, vacant, four units or less, condemned through local or county unsafe structure procedures, and not mixed-use.
- Homes can’t be listed individually on any historic register or ranked notable or outstanding within a district.
Mitchell hopes at least 39 county homes can be demolished. Each town has provided lists of two to six properties, totaling 26 so far.
Lease updates in progress
EDC’s board also gave Shaffer authority to finalize changes at 1400 Industries Road. The City of Richmond is landlord and EDC is sublandlord.
A lease with Wolverine Worldwide (formerly known as Stride Rite) would be terminated. Wolverine would pay $89,500 for rent and its failure to meet employment quotas. The footwear manufacturer’s customer service staff left in October 2023 after transitioning to remote work.
Vandor Group Inc. would sublease the property in the coming days for seven years for its office staff. Vandor is celebrating 51 years in Richmond.
Rent would be $14,850 monthly for the first four years, based on an appraisal. Increases would be based on the consumer price index.
In other business
- EDC is giving $10,000 in consolidated EDIT funds for each community park project through HELP. The first campaign — East Germantown — is live. For a state match, $50,000 must be raised by 11 p.m. March 25. So far, $16,282 has been given. Shaffer encouraged individually supporting one or more projects.
- Structure demolition is complete for expansion of Midwest Industrial Park.
- For Gateway Industrial Park in Cambridge City, discussions are underway with the U.S. Economic Development Administration and Indiana Bond Bank to determine fund eligibility toward water tower and water system looping.
- EDC has begun monthly reviews of progress on its 2020 strategic plan. February’s focus was on the organization’s alignment (community partners and its internal staffing). Goals have been met.
Shaffer noted that economic development has changed significantly in the past five to 10 years. EDC previously focused on business development. Through the plan, place-making and talent development were added as goals. Instead of companies selecting a site to prompt growth, communities now must invest in quality of place to attract entrepreneurs.
A version of this article appeared in the February 14 2024 print edition of the Western Wayne News.