ETNA GREEN — It was a short meeting for Etna Green Council Tuesday, March 11, with two new ordinances adopted and only a few announcements. One of those ordinances was an economic development incentive courtesy of Indiana Municipal Power Agency.

A press release from IMPA states: “Designed to promote growth and development in IMPA member communities, the new Economic Development Rider provides communities and local economic development officials with a valuable tool to attract new customers or help existing businesses and industries grow. The program can save companies that meet the incentive criteria a percentage off of their electric bill for a five year period.”

Businesses looking to take advantage of the incentive have to meet the following requirements: adding a minimum of 1 megawatt at one premise and investing at least $1 million at that premise. Contact clerk-treasurer Laura Baker, (574) 858-9321, for more information on this incentive. This is just a policy and does not increase rates for residents.

Last month, Ross Hagen of Umbaugh and Associates presented an ordinance that re-establised the town’s Cumulative Capital Development Fund. Introduced at the March 14 meeting, the board motioned to approved the adoption of the ordinance.

Baker had some announcements: the Easter egg hunt will be this coming Saturday, April 15, at 1 p.m. at Heritage Park; large trash pick up will take place April 25 and May 2; hydrant flushing will happen May on 2-4.

With summer approaching, the board has discussed the possibility of a storm shelter for Etna Green residents. Baker talked to Emergency Management Director Ed Rock who advised no one usually wants to take responsibility of opening a shelter in an emergency. Rock said that the council could build a shelter, but that he has no available funds to do so. He also said that in his 14 years in emergency management, not one person has ever showed up to an open shelter. The council dismissed the issue and moved on.