ANDERSON — Anderson officials promoted the proposed Mounds Lake reservoir, new technology and mass transit during an annual visit to the nation’s capitol.
The trip was sponsored by the Madison County Chamber of Commerce to meet with Sen. Joe Donnelly, Sen. Dan Coats, Rep. Susan Brooks, Rep. Andre Carson and Rep. Luke Messer.
“The focus of the trip was to share some good things happening in Anderson,” chamber director Kyle Morey said. “We talked about the Mounds reservoir, the Purdue College of Technology and mass transit.”
Morey said the delegation also expressed concerns about Madison County not receiving a federal grant for the replacement of the Eisenhower Bridge.
“The delegation said they would go to bat for us in the future,” he said of the bridge project.
Morey said the delegation noted the upcoming referendum in 2016 on mass transit in central Indiana and the fact that Madison County is one of six counties included in the plan.
“There are opportunities that are available,” he said.
Don Henderson, former president of the Pendleton Town Council, said Mayor Kevin Smith made a strong presentation concerning the use of the existing rail line between Indianapolis and Anderson for mass transit.
“Using the rail line makes the most sense,” he said. “We need a mass transit corridor to the northeast, not just to Noblesville.”
Smith said it was a good trip that provided the opportunity to discuss a number of issues.
“We have a good congressional staff,” he said. “They work in a non-partisan manner. We’re fortunate to have senators and representatives that are very engaged in the needs of local communities.”
Concerning the proposed reservoir, Morey said there has been a lot of support for the project expressed to the congressional delegation and only one letter in opposition.
He said Carson, D-Indianapolis, wanted to know what could be done to help with the project, not necessarily on federal funding.
“He thought it was a great opportunity,” Morey said of Carson’s interest in the reservoir project.
There was discussion about transportation needs in the area and the hope that federal dollars coming to Indianapolis would eventually affect the county.
Henderson said the congressional delegation responded well to the presentations.
“I spent most of my time dealing with the reservoir,” he said.
Concerning the Eisenhower Bridge funding, Henderson said that Donnelly made it clear he would revisit the issue and work to bring federal funds to Madison County for the project.