WARSAW — John Sampson, president/chief executive officer of the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership, presented an update on the quest to become one of two regional initiatives to receive a $42 million grant from the Indiana Economic Development Commission. His presentation was made during the Warsaw Common Council meeting Monday evening, Oct. 19.

He stated the formal presentation was recently made to the IEDC and an announcement by the board will be made by Dec. 15, on the two grant recipients.

Sampson believes the NE Indiana partnership will be successful. “I will argue we had the best proposal in the state,” he said. He stressed the importance of the need for the region to grow at a fast pace as the area is at a critical threshold. “If we don’t grow faster … employment will decline … our best and most experienced employees are ready to leave and they are leaving faster than they can be replaced. We need to create vibrant downtowns to attract.”

He presented a handout “The Road To One Million” a summary showing population and projected growth, and near term projects. He noted the grant will not cover all the projects, but is 20 percent local, 20 percent state and 60 percent private funding program. He knows it can be done as an analysis in the area shows it has been done in the past.

“These projects will be going forward anyway,” stated Mayor Joe Thallemer. Sampson noted funds will not be available for all projects and those projects which are ready to go out of the gate will be funded first.

The 10-page report can be accessed here.

Other Business

Jeremy Skinner presented an amendment to the comprehensive plan, approved last week by the plan commission.

“The language change is to help put the developer of Little Crow Foods in better position for an Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority Grant,” said Skinner. “We changed the wording to make it more appealing for affordable housing,” he added.

Mike Klondaris, city council member and plan commission member, stated, “the changes are so small. We all agree we want the thing to fly and it does not change the overall plan.”

Jeff Grose, councilman and plan commission member, added, “it is true to our goals for what we want in the corridor, tweaking it to allow to capture funding.”

Diance Quance, councilman, questioned if this would have any affect should the IEDC grant for regional cities be received, as Little Crow Foods was ranked No. 1 in projects under education and industry in the Northeast Indiana Regional Cities initiative plan.

Skinner explained it would not have an affect should the IEDC grant be received as the goal is to re-purpose/reuse the building. He stated there have been numerous thoughts for its use, and at one time, affordable housing was considered, but there was nothing concrete or in writing. In fact, he stated this would be beneficial as it would be a ready-to-go project, should the funds be received.

See related: Potential Developer Seeks Grant For Little Crow Foods

During other business:

• Adopted the appropriations and tax rate ordinance on the second reading. City officials will not begin the task of budget cuts in preparation of notification from the Department of Local Government and Finance on the approved tax rates.
• Approved a transfer of $2,000 from other services into operating supplies for the cemetery department for diesel fuel if needed.