Lowell Owens talked about the goals of the Redevelopment Commission of Kosciusko County Wednesday, as an invited Kosciusko Development Inc. speaker.

Owens, vice chairman of the commission, said the five-member panel was reactivated by the county commissioners in January.

Commissioners are Max Courtney, Bill Warren, Bruce Woodward, Larry Teghtmeyer and Owens.

The board spent the first half of the year learning about economic issues from others.

"We've heard from accountants, lawyers, Dan Richard, Jeff Noffsinger, Joy McCarthy-Sessing and Dan Harstine," Owens said. Richard is director of the Area Plan Commission; Noffsinger is Syracuse town manager; Mc-Carthy Sessing is president of KDI and the Warsaw-Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce and Harstine is the Integrity Real Estate Group broker.

"In official actions we've established a TIF (tax increment financing district) for Dreyfus, making it the second in the county."

Referring to a Kosciusko Zoning Map on the wall behind him, he pointed out areas for economic development, including the pending sanitary sewer line installation along Ind. 15 from Warsaw to Leesburg; the industrial park along U.S. 30 west of Warsaw and the lake areas to the northeast and east-central part of the county.

"One big area of concern is a county sewer system," he said. "Our judgement is the state will mandate sewers around the lakes. Development doesn't happen without sewer service.

"But do we need a sewer here?" he asked, pointing to a spot of agricultural ground in Franklin Township. "No. The biggest issues concern a quarter of the county, from Warsaw to the lakes."

He said there was no doubt about a need for a county-wide sewer system, but the financing and construction of such a facility hadn't been determined.

Several communities have sewer systems and the commission is after statistics about capacity of those facilities.

He said road capacity and routes also were being studied by the commission.

"We do not raise taxes or make laws. We won't be mandating anything. We'll make recommendations to the commissioners and council and can encourage things to happen."

"How do we attract and retain business?" Roger Moynahan asked. "Are your activities focusing on infrastructure or development, too?"

Owens said the infrastructure has to be in place for KDI to develop business leads.

KDI member and county commissioner Ron Truex said the majority of McCarthy-Sessing's calls ask one question: ""Where do you have sewer?"

"These volunteers will not go out and solicit businesses to locate here," Truex said of commission mebers. "What we need is coordination not duplication."

Larry Coplen asked about Syracuse's intention to develop a comprehensive plan and form its own plan commission.

Owens said if it happens, the commission and that planning group could work together.

Coplen also asked about the availability of water in areas to be developed.

McCarthy-Sessing said water services are determined by a private company and she didn't see any reason why the local water company wouldn't expand.

The board also"

• Heard a complete audit may be necessary because KDI received $100,000 in government funds, for the revolving loan program, in 2005.

• Heard a business feasibility workshop is planned for June 6 from 2 to 4 p.m. and a manufacturers council meeting is set for the end of June.

• Heard Ivy Tech plans to build and equip a post-secondary machine tool and polishing training center in Warsaw. An official announcement is set for June 7 at 3 p.m.

KDI meets the fourth Wednesday of each month, at noon, at the Chamber of Commerce. [[In-content Ad]]