CDC moves forward with land proposal for PC-CARE

Details

Published: Thursday, 11 August 2016 22:37

MONTEREY - The Pulaski County Community Development Commission (CDC) voted at its August meeting, held in Monterey, to propose to the county commissioners the sale of County Farm land for the purpose of purchasing property near Medaryville for the PC-CARE project.

PC-CARE (Pulaski County Center for Agriculture-Renewable Energy) is a proposed “agricultural tech-park,” which was identified in the county’s strategic plan for economic development several years ago to increase focus on agricultural and renewable energy.

The CDC has been working for several years to identify property for the ag-tech park. Land along the U.S. 421 corridor has been sought, due to its closer proximity to the county's only remaining railroad, I-65, and Purdue University and northwest Indiana.

CDC director Nathan Origer shared with the board that the Advisory Commission on Industrial Development had green-lighted the sale of 97 acres of County Farm property for the purpose of using the proceeds to acquire the 55.5-acre Medaryville site for development, capping the purchase price and insisting that a letter of intent be signed by the landowner before the county commissioners move forward with the sale.

Significant discussion ensued by the CDC board, including consideration of drainage at the site and having a contingency plan if the landowner refuses the maximum purchase price.

Old Business:

Hometown Collaboration Initiative: Origer noted that the HCI committee has met for the final time and abolished itself. More road testing by cyclists is needed, but, otherwise, the bike-route project has been moving forward ahead of schedule. The state signature process is completed, and funds can now be withdrawn as needed. Responding to a question, Origer confirmed that the grant funds can be expended solely on costs related to the project, and that no money can be deposited into the county general fund.

Career and Technical Education curriculum grant:Other than determining which organization will be responsible for hiring the adjunct teacher as a contract employee, everything had come together, with about 40 students enrolled in the first two offerings of the first required class in the RAM-Tech program.

2017 budget:No update was provided, as the county council budget meetings are scheduled later in the month. The CDC staff expressed its thanks that the proposed budget includes funding for interns, as this summer's interns proved to be a successful value over the past few months with the first student-workers.

Wage-and- benefit survey: Origer reported he was informed that the company that provides Pulaski County’s healthcare insurance may have access to a large amount of the data sought to be collected through the survey. Therefore, he postponed the survey until he and the Pulaski County Human Resources Group can review the available data.

Francesville and Winamac Main Street organizations:CDC board member Darlene Mellon reported that the UpTown Project, Francesville’s Main Street organization, has hosted a very successful downtown movie showing and will host a bluegrass band in the near future. The group’s bylaws still needed to be tweaked before the Main Street application can be submitted to the Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA).

Origer noted that Wander Our Winamac! will meet later in the month, after which the group hopes to be able to submit its application to OCRA.

Adopt-a- river program:Origer has not yet completed the required paperwork for the state’s Adopt-a-River program, but signage had been designed, and the state officials have informally approved the project and signage.

Other Business

New CDC Member:The board met with Aaron Paulsen, whom the Chamber of Commerce Board hads appointed to fill its vacant seat. Paulsen spoke briefly about himself, a few members spoke, and the appointment was accepted.

TorchFest:Project coordinator Krysten Hinkle reported that plans are underway for the three-day (Oct. 7-9) TorchFest Indiana Bicentennial celebration in Pulaski County, and that more information will be provided soon.

CDC board secretary John Plowman reminded board members that the Friends of the Panhandle Pathway’s "Tippecanoe and Bicycles, Too" ride, a recognized Bicentennial legacy project, was set for Saturday, Aug. 6.

CDC member vacancy:Origer reported that a few individuals have expressed interest in filling a recently vacated seat, but only one had thus far formally submitted himself for consideration and provided a résumé, which the director distributed. CDC board president Gregg Malott suggested tabling the decision until any other interested persons have formally expressed or retracted interest.