Update: May 24, 2024.  Establishing a New Economic Development District Letter of Support

• • Risk – Accepting federal money can include “requirements” that may be contrary to local interests.
  • US Govt – Economic Development Admin (EDA), U.S. Department of Commerce

WorkingSession Meeting – Commissioners and Council.

May 21, 2024. This post at Brown County Matters

• • Commissioners: Sanders, Wolpert
  • Council: Huett, Swift-Powdrill, Bryrd, Kirby, Rudd
  • Advisors Grego Guerrettaz (Financial), Susan Bever (Legal)

Agenda Working Session May 21, 2024

AUDIO – Part 1 Work Session

• • 2:00 Presentation – Kevin Allen on the Brown County and Nashville Trail Study.   A(summary)  presentation by Kevin Allen on the Brown County Nashville Trail Study. Indiana Dept of Health (IDOH) provided 20K, the County 20K, and Nashville 5,500K.
  • 26:45 Audio Part 1.  Presentation Marce King from Own County. Marce is the executive director of the Owen County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development.  Presentation supporting a federal Economic Development District (EDD) consisting of Owen, Brown, and Monroe County.
    • The focus of the regional alliance would be on Trails and Nature and Arts and Culture (areas we have in common).
    • Opportunity to obtain federal and state grants.
    • Requires the county to submit a Commercial Economic Development Plan (CEDP) which serves as an application for the Federal Economic Development Agency to consider approving. 
    • A CEDP would integrate and expand where needed on the County Comprehensive Plan.  The County Comprehensive Plan represents the Voice of ALL the citizens and not just Brown County’s special interests.  It documents what citizens want and do not want in terms of economic development and quality of life.  It also influences the economic base. 
    • THE CORE REQUIREMENT.  Community-wide buy-in and support.

More to follow

Audio – Part 2 – Work Session