Late in 2021, the South Central Indiana Talent Region learned it would receive $30 million in grants from a new state program for economic development projects throughout the three counties (Jackson, Jennings and Bartholomew) and one town (Edinburgh) in the region.
Six of the 30 projects that were funded are in Jackson County, but none are to be found in the county’s three towns.
Dan Robison, director of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, and Arann Banks, executive director of the Jackson County Visitor Center, told the Crothersville Town council last Tuesday they like to see that change if a second round of grants from the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) program should become available down the road.
“We’re here to talk about what we are just going to call READI 2.0,” Robison said. “We don’t know if that’s what it’s really going to be called or not but want Crothersville to be prepared for a project to be considered for funding.”
He said a year ago, there was a lot of talk about the READI program and the process of applying for grant monies.
But since this was a first time effort by the state, the rules were frequently changed and the goal posts moved. Then when it was learned that federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) money would be used which was tied to yet more eligibility requirements and rule changes.
READI 1.0 was supposed to involve state funding, but most of the funding wound up coming from federal American Rescue Plan dollars, which came with a lot of constraints, Robison said.
The county and Seymour received funding because they had proposed projects which were on the shelf.
“But this is not just a county thing. It’s not just a Seymour thing. We want the town of Crothersville to be thinking about having their own project ready to pull of a shelf should READI 2.0 get announced,” said Robison
“We want to make sure you guys are in the mix,” added Banks who told the council not to consider any project too big or too small.
Robison said potentially, the state is looking at another round of READI funding during the 2024 budget cycle.
It is believed READI 2.0 would be a state initiative with state funds, which would give the state control over the process, he said.
The Jackson County projects receiving funds from the initial READI program included a sanitary sewer system for industrial development around the I-65 interchange in the Uniontown area of Vernon Township, an expansion of the Seymour High School career and technical programs, an expansion of the Jackson County Learning Center in Seymour and the addition of a linear accelerator at the Don and Dana Myers Cancer Center in Seymour.
Chateau de Pique, a winery, brewery and event center near Seymour, also received READI funding to enhance its onsite accommodations, production facilities and outdoor recreational amenities, while a Thrive Alliance project to develop a 64-unit housing complex for families and seniors in Seymour also received funding.
The Crothersville town council already has a project—a multi-million dollar water improvement project— which will no doubt be at the top of a local READI 2.0 list.
Robison and Banks previously met with the Brownstown Town Council and intend to meet with the Medora Town Council later this month.
•In other business, Ruthann Rebber with the Ft. Vallonia DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) told the council of a project her organization is initiating to honor veterans.
Banners, featuring photographs of US service veterans from the community would be created for display in town along street lights and electric poles. Rebber said the cost of the project, estimated to be between $120-$150 per banner would be funded by the veteran’s families.
“What we are asking the communities to do is be responsible for putting the banners up and taking them down,” said Rebber.
She said that the DAR would reach out to veterans in the four Jackson County communities. At the conclusion of the display, the banners would be given to the sponsoring family, Rebber said.
•The council agreed to spend up to $30,000 from the town’s County Economic Development Income Tax (CEDIT) fund to pay for upgrades to the newly acquired police station— formerly the Methodist Church annex on Armstrong Street. The council also agreed to a proposal from the Wash Doctor from Crothersville to power wash the new police station and parking lot at a cost of $600.
•The council also agreed to purchase a full page ad for $175 in the 2022-23 CHS basketball program.
•The council passed a resolution to apply for a Community Development Block Grant Owner-Occupied Rehab Funding grant. Local grant writer Tara Hagan with ARa said the town already has 25 homeowners on a waiting list.
•Presented a Certificate of Appreciation to local businessman and tattoo artist Kyle McIntosh for Excellence in Community Service exemplifying outstanding citizenship in charitable fund raising to help those in need. According to town councilman Chad Wilson, the award is anticipated to be presented from time to time to acknowledge the importance of good citizenship by giving back to the community.