Kosciusko County Redevelopment Commission heard an update from the Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO) during its meeting Thursday.
At the meeting, interim KEDCO Co-Director Greg Fitzloff gave an update on several projects KEDCO is working on with the Redevelopment Commission.
Fitzloff reported Etna Green decided not to move forward with their housing development project.
Redevelopment Commission President Joni Truex stated Etna Green, based on a 2022 memorandum of understanding with KEDCO, will be invoiced the costs for consulting fees for the projects.
Fitzloff said KEDCO may request at a later date the commission expand a tax increment financing (TIF) district for a project on Ind. 15, south of Leesburg.
“The problem with moving ahead with that project, is quite frankly it’s water,” Fitzloff said. He clarified that project sizes in Kosciusko County are limited by an ability to run sprinkler systems.
“Whether it’s an industrial building or a multi-family residential development,” Fitzloff said. “And without municipal water, it becomes a more significantly difficult and more expensive project to run.”
Fitzloff also reported a company that produces bunk beds have found a facility in Silver Lake. He said the company will make an announcement as they decide to move forward.
Core Mechanical Services founder and owner Jake Furbee also spoke at the meeting to request $30,000 to assist with renovations at a building between Old 30 West and New U.S. 30 west of Atwood.
Truex informed the commission the renovation costs are expected to be over $200,000, to renovate the building for manufacturing and improve its aesthetic appearance.
Truex called the project a win-win, saying “it would be employing people and also bringing back work into our own county.”
Furbee reported around $20,000 has been spent already on renovations, including pressure washing, new lighting and that drywall was expected to be done by the end of the week. The Redevelopment Commission approved giving Furbee $30,000.
In other business, Redevelopment Commission Vice President Doug Hanes proposed expanding the Redevelopment Commission’s members to seven. Hanes shared concerns that Commission member Mike Metzger and Truex will not be on the Commission in 2025.
Truex said the Indiana statute states a redevelopment commission can have up to seven members, four appointed by commissioners and three by the council, plus a non-voting school board member. The commission currently has five members. The membership increase must be approved by the county commissioners.
Losing members means the commission loses knowledge, Hanes said. Adding two members would “(spread) out that knowledge and (insulate) us from changes in redevelopment commission.”
Truex said County Administrator Marsha McSherry will bring the matter before the county commissioners for further discussion.
Secretary Dan Thystrup also reported that he had received approval from the Indiana Department of Transportation to work on a North Webster bike trail, which will extend to Wawasee Middle School. The project will include rebuilding existing sidewalks and is estimated to cost around $2 million.
The next commission meeting will be at 1:30 p.m. May 9.