Infrastructure Plans Grow With Economic Development In Kosciusko County
May 8, 2025 at 9:35 p.m.
Tax increment financing is making it possible for many infrastructure projects to be completed in Kosciusko County.
Kosciusko County Highway Department Superintendent Steve Moriarty brought two projects to the Kosciusko County Redevelopment Commission Thursday. The state of Indiana has increasing funding from $250,000 to $375,000, so counties in Indiana are now able to complete more infrastructure work with their own forces.
With $375,000 from the Maple Leaf TIF, Moriarty will repave CR 200E and Mock Road to Old Ind. 15, hopefully making some improvements to the intersection at 200E.
The Co-Op TIF will be used for the roads from 700W to 700S, with striping and signage being upgraded along with the roads.
Both projects will take place after the chip and seal program, sometime between July 1 and winter time.
Moriarty also brought up plans for the Old 30 TIF. The area will have a drastic uptick in activity with a new business, Slate Automotive, in the area. The new design for the area adds two turn lanes and a deceleration lane so that traffic can continue flowing east and west. Stopping for trucks will not be necessary. Moriarty asked for $350,000 to implement the changes and noted other changes in Warsaw, such as the roundabouts, have already reduced congestion throughout the city.
“Not only safety, but we want to show how much we care about those coming into the county,” said Moriarty. He added the work will be completed by the highway department. "It is a unique situation and impactful. We want to make sure it's nice and is a prideful project as well."
The commission mentioned the Leesburg TIF, which had approved $250,000 in funding with matching dollars from a grant, READI 2.0. With recent state developments, there are concerns that the grant might not go through. Officials should know if there is a commitment by June.
In general, the commission discussed TIF maturities and renewing or redoing TIFs in order to receive the fullest monies possible. It was recommended that the commission look for a financial advisor for best use of the TIFs.
Matt Sandy, Area Plan director, talked about two different residential areas that are growing. Milford’s Eastfield subdivision has almost filled out its phase one and will soon ask for a second phase if progress keeps moving at the same pace. “We’ve been pushing out permits pretty consistently there,” said Sandy.
A new development was approved just outside of Etna Green next to Winona Power Coating. Joey’s RV in Atwood will be relocating to a new site on the corner of CR 300 and CR 950.
Peggy Friday, chief executive officer of the Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO), reported on the economic development services for Kosciusko County for the past 10 months now. With every project, KEDCO attempts to bring more wealth to Kosciusko County and keep it here.
Friday stated due to attraction projects KEDCO implemented, Slate Automotive will take over the old R.R. Donnelly property for manufacturing. Up to 2,000 people will be hired for the plant quickly, since Slate Automotive wants vehicles in production by the end of next year.
Retention projects are also important. KEDCO urges local businesses to “see what kind of culture you’re building” and organizes plant tours for prospective employees and employers, according to Friday.
Smaller communities and their needs were also mentioned, as was partnering with the Community Amenities Program.
KEDCO plans to attend business conferences to show the assets and benefits of locating a business in Kosciusko County. The partnerships with local businesses make these opportunities possible.
In other matters, a letter of TIF excess AV certification was provided to the auditor for the commission to sign saying that there are no excess monies in the TIFs this year. The letter was accepted.
The commission also reviewed several TIFs, including the Co-Op, Leesburg, TruPointe, VanBuren-Maple Leaf, Etna Green Residential Economic Development and South Shore Residential TIFs.
The next meeting of the commission will be at 1:30 p.m. July 10 at the old courthouse.
Tax increment financing is making it possible for many infrastructure projects to be completed in Kosciusko County.
Kosciusko County Highway Department Superintendent Steve Moriarty brought two projects to the Kosciusko County Redevelopment Commission Thursday. The state of Indiana has increasing funding from $250,000 to $375,000, so counties in Indiana are now able to complete more infrastructure work with their own forces.
With $375,000 from the Maple Leaf TIF, Moriarty will repave CR 200E and Mock Road to Old Ind. 15, hopefully making some improvements to the intersection at 200E.
The Co-Op TIF will be used for the roads from 700W to 700S, with striping and signage being upgraded along with the roads.
Both projects will take place after the chip and seal program, sometime between July 1 and winter time.
Moriarty also brought up plans for the Old 30 TIF. The area will have a drastic uptick in activity with a new business, Slate Automotive, in the area. The new design for the area adds two turn lanes and a deceleration lane so that traffic can continue flowing east and west. Stopping for trucks will not be necessary. Moriarty asked for $350,000 to implement the changes and noted other changes in Warsaw, such as the roundabouts, have already reduced congestion throughout the city.
“Not only safety, but we want to show how much we care about those coming into the county,” said Moriarty. He added the work will be completed by the highway department. "It is a unique situation and impactful. We want to make sure it's nice and is a prideful project as well."
The commission mentioned the Leesburg TIF, which had approved $250,000 in funding with matching dollars from a grant, READI 2.0. With recent state developments, there are concerns that the grant might not go through. Officials should know if there is a commitment by June.
In general, the commission discussed TIF maturities and renewing or redoing TIFs in order to receive the fullest monies possible. It was recommended that the commission look for a financial advisor for best use of the TIFs.
Matt Sandy, Area Plan director, talked about two different residential areas that are growing. Milford’s Eastfield subdivision has almost filled out its phase one and will soon ask for a second phase if progress keeps moving at the same pace. “We’ve been pushing out permits pretty consistently there,” said Sandy.
A new development was approved just outside of Etna Green next to Winona Power Coating. Joey’s RV in Atwood will be relocating to a new site on the corner of CR 300 and CR 950.
Peggy Friday, chief executive officer of the Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO), reported on the economic development services for Kosciusko County for the past 10 months now. With every project, KEDCO attempts to bring more wealth to Kosciusko County and keep it here.
Friday stated due to attraction projects KEDCO implemented, Slate Automotive will take over the old R.R. Donnelly property for manufacturing. Up to 2,000 people will be hired for the plant quickly, since Slate Automotive wants vehicles in production by the end of next year.
Retention projects are also important. KEDCO urges local businesses to “see what kind of culture you’re building” and organizes plant tours for prospective employees and employers, according to Friday.
Smaller communities and their needs were also mentioned, as was partnering with the Community Amenities Program.
KEDCO plans to attend business conferences to show the assets and benefits of locating a business in Kosciusko County. The partnerships with local businesses make these opportunities possible.
In other matters, a letter of TIF excess AV certification was provided to the auditor for the commission to sign saying that there are no excess monies in the TIFs this year. The letter was accepted.
The commission also reviewed several TIFs, including the Co-Op, Leesburg, TruPointe, VanBuren-Maple Leaf, Etna Green Residential Economic Development and South Shore Residential TIFs.
The next meeting of the commission will be at 1:30 p.m. July 10 at the old courthouse.