Projects prepare for funding possibilities

Wayne County stands ready when an opportunity to grow or improve quality of life presents itself after development of a 32-project Countywide Strategic Investment Plan.

Cambridge City, Centerville, Dublin, Economy, East Germantown, Fountain City, Greens Fork, Hagerstown, Milton, Richmond and Wayne County proactively prepared their wants and needs for the next seven years to capitalize when funding opportunities appear. Forward Wayne County and Wayne County government led the follow-up to county participation in the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program, following a similar process.

Developed through a multistep, community-driven process, the SIP welcomed input from all 14 incorporated communities, with 10 participating in conversations that steered over 10 public workshops and four community stakeholder meetings that engaged more than 150 participants. 

“Seeing how our communities came together to share ideas and priorities for Wayne County’s future was both exciting and inspiring,” said Acacia St. John, program director of Forward Wayne County. “The input we received shows just how invested our residents are in their communities. In addition, it showed alignment between town governments and their residents in making sure the plans outlined in the SIP become a reality.”

As a result of this planning process, five key areas were identified as requiring major investment, including housing, infrastructure, parks and recreation, revitalization and beautification, and tourism. Review the full SIP at forwardwaynecounty.org/press. 

“The SIP represents the voices of our residents, local leaders and partners across Wayne County,” said Jeff Plasterer, president of the Wayne County Commissioners. “By focusing on housing, infrastructure and quality of life investments, we’re creating a county where people want to live, work and visit. The SIP provides a clear map to future investments.”

Unlike HELP, however, which used American Rescue Plan Act allocations, there is no dedicated funding for the SIP’s projects. Project ideas are developed and will be ready when funding opportunities arise. The investment plan lists 30 state and federal resources that could provide grant funding.

The Indiana legislature last year also provided the nine participating towns with a funding option. State law now permits each of them to enact a food and beverage tax with funds only allowed to be spent on projects listed in the SIP. Richmond’s 1% food and beverage tax, which will begin March 1, is only permitted to fund parks, trails and Whitewater Gorge activation.

The SIP includes a process for adding projects should something new arise. Any new projects added to the SIP would also be eligible for town food and beverage tax funds.

Forward Wayne County and county government will now host a series of workshops focusing on project development and implementation with experts and state organizations. Practical guidance will teach developing grant-ready project budgets and scopes, applying for grant opportunities, building public-private partnerships, and leveraging financial advisers to maximize limited budgets.

Read the full plan document online at wwn.to/wcsip26.

Cambridge City

• Cambridge City recognizes a need for improved housing stock and is looking to develop 50 market-rate, single-family units, including on property north of the CVS.
• A multifaceted project addresses the town’s infrastructure challenges by replacing remaining lead water lines, repairing cracking sidewalks and roads, and improving curb height and accessibility on sidewalks experiencing heavy foot traffic.
• Continued improvements to Creitz Park could include a half-mile scenic trail, pickleball courts and bathroom facilities.
• The town seeks a cohesive system of signage for local businesses and the town on main routes.

Centerville

• Centerville hopes to provide infrastructure to partner with developers for construction of 65 single-family homes in two locations. An apartment complex is also possible at one location.
• With Maplewood Park at full capacity, a second park would be created, possibly near the Centerville Youth League facilities, that would include pickleball courts, basketball courts and playground equipment.
• To make the downtown more accessible, the project demolishes an existing building for a parking lot, adds nine streetlights and improves sidewalks.

Dublin

• Dublin hopes to repurpose neglected properties, such as unused trailer parks and empty lots, and partner with a developer for 10 single-family residences.
• Aging town utility infrastructure needs attention, including expanded capacity and system upgrades to the town’s water system that is no longer sufficient to meet peak demand. The project also includes installation of a new water line down Foundry Road that will enable residents to connect to the town’s water system.
• A splash pad in Wilson Park would provide a water feature in an area that lacks a public pool or other water recreation.
• The town’s community building would receive a renovated kitchen, a backup generator and wood floors more suitable for roller skating.

East Germantown

• The town’s plan for mixed-rate senior housing hinges on acquiring the former Pershing Elementary building so a portion of the site can be developed into senior housing units.
• Along with the senior housing, the town would like to repurpose a to-be-determined building into a senior center.
• Residents rely on aging water wells and deteriorating pipes, so the town is determining public support for establishing a water utility with modern, reliable water infrastructure.
• Blight elimination would continue with improvements to two or three blighted properties.
• The town’s two-part infrastructure upgrade involves installing street-facing lights along U.S. 40 and completing targeted sidewalk connections.

Economy

• To improve recreation, the town would renovate the historic Economy gym, make improvements to the Lions Club building and park, and construct a trail to connect the park and the Cardinal Greenway. 

Fountain City

• An empty lot in town could house four or five single-family residences, meeting demand for market-rate homes.
• Fountain City Park would receive updated restrooms, a shelter renovation and updated playground equipment.
• Five properties were found in poor condition, and the project would demolish two blighted properties near U.S. 27 and rehabilitate a property near Main Street.

Greens Fork

• A park project would provide the town that doesn’t have a park with playground equipment, a walking path and basketball courts at a location near the town hall.

Hagerstown

• The town plans to develop senior housing on an acquired parcel across from Hartley Hills Country Club. The four units would anchor future senior-oriented residential development.
• A half-mile multiuse trail would connect the senior center with the soccer park across existing town easements, the levee corridor and an electrical service easement passing through the Red-Tailed Hawk Nature Conservatory.
• The senior center needs renovations that include new windows, updated flooring and interior paint.

Milton

• The town is acquiring blighted properties as a first step with a long-term vision of demolishing blighted structures and replacing them with infill housing.

Richmond

• Richmond plans to create single-family housing to decrease commuter workers by beginning construction of 286 units in the Smith Hill development.
• A transit study is happening this year, then the city plans to partner with a vendor for a transit-on-demand program for those not able to access city buses.
• Industrial growth in the Midwest Industrial Park creates need for the upgrading, widening and expanding infrastructure on Gaar Jackson Road between Round Barn and Salisbury roads.
• Whitewater Gorge Activation has begun with an initial phase at the Test Road trail head, but additional financial support is needed for subsequent phases of the planned project.
• A consultant would develop a wayfinding signage plan for both vehicular and pedestrian signage throughout the city.

Wayne County

• Expand the housing accelerator program into additional phases that complete all unfinished subdivisions countywide. The program already provides $820,000 for development of 82 homes at five subdivisions in Cambridge City, Centerville and Richmond. 
• The county maintains 320 bridges, and 14 need major repairs or full replacements within three to five years. Bridge repair and raising the county’s average Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating score from 6.2 to 7.5 will require increased funding.