Fayette County has now become part of the effort to establish a new regional economic development group in east central Indiana.
County commissioners Tuesday unanimously approved to become part of the effort to create a multi-county economic development group, which would allow for Fayette County and Connersville to be eligible to receive federal funding for economic development projects.
Spearheading the effort is Jeff Plasterer, executive director of Ivy Tech Connersville’s campus and a Wayne County councilman, who local EDG Director Dan Parker has been working with concerning the group.
“Jeff and I have been working for the last year on an important action for Connersville and Fayette County going forward,” Parker said.
That action is a new regional organization focused on assisting local governments and economic development groups exchange ideas and communicate about ongoing projects.
The group would take the place of the former Eastern Indiana Development District, of which Fayette County was a part of at one time and is now defunct.
One big benefit of being part of this group, according to Plasterer, is the opportunity to receive federal grant funding for economic development projects.
“You must be a member of a regional economic development district to be able to apply and receive federal dollars through the Economic Development Administration,” Plasterer said. “Member counties, over the last 20 years or so, under the Eastern Indiana Development District, applied for and received five grants that were each valued at more than $1 million dollars.”
The new group got a boost in its creation in December 2014, when the EDA awarded teh Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission a $35,000 grant to help get the new group led by Plasterer — which in addition to Fayette County includes Union, Wayne, Rush and Randolph counties — off the ground. Plasterer is still working to get Henry County involved.
“There are significant benefits to being a member of a regional district,” Plasterer said. “Right now we don’t have district, so this is what we’re trying to organize.”
Part of those efforts involve participating counties in the group to petition Indiana Gov. Mike Pence — after passing a resolution declaring their involvement with the group — to allow the formation of the new regional economic development group, and if approved by Pence, the group would also be audited by the state Board of Accounts to provide oversight and accountability of funds.
One of the next steps in the process, according to Plasterer, is forming a steering committee, which will be comprised of one representative of each county involved in the group. That committee will draft bylaws and other documents needed for the group.
Plasterer hopes to have the group up and running by the end of the year, he told commissioners.
Becoming involved in the group will result in an annual fee to the county, according to Plasterer, but that fee likely would not be due for Fayette County until the fall. Commissioner Zane Badore said county EDIT funds would likely pay for that fee, which is based on the population of the county.
County commissioners were more than receptive of the idea of joining the group.
“Fayette County is kind of isolated,” said Commissioner Frank Jackson. “We can’t afford not to have contact outside of the county itself. The state of Indiana, regardless of whether you agree with it or don’t agree with it, when it comes to economic development dollars, they’re looking for regions. They’re not looking for a particular county.
“So it’s important for us to be a part of the process to get our fair share, or whatever we can, to help us move forward,” Jackson continued. “Fayette County is not the only county that is in the shape we are. There are thousands of counties due to the economic downturn of 2008 that are still clawing their way back to the top financially. We have to compete with them, just like they are competing with us. So I am supportive of what (Plasterer) is requesting of us.”
Commissioners then approved a motion to join the regional economic development group effort, while also naming EDG Director Dan Parker to the group’s steering committee.
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