If Franklin County Economic Development Commission president John Palmer's prognostication skills are adept, the project to develop 200 new homes east of Reservoir Road and just north of the Brookville town limits may be taking off in the new year.

Palmer and Bill Schirmer, as representatives on the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) committee for southeast Indiana, were to meet Tuesday with that group to “make a final push” toward the area backing the development.

The initial plan involves extending the Brookville wastewater system on up the hill from a point near First Financial Bank, then shooting laterals off into the neighborhoods. Three non-binding agreements were needed to proceed: commissioners must support creating a new Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district, a letter of support from the FC Community School Corporation, and a commitment from a builder willing to invest resources. Palmer said two of the three boxes were checked already and he was going to Monday evening's school board meeting for the letter.

He said, at Monday's EDC meeting, once the town of Brookville put annexation off the table, he and Schirmer set about seeking a company to extend the sewer line. It's based on a model by Earthtek Environmental, LLC, Batesville, their website describing it as custom designed packaged wastewater treatment solutions.

Palmer noted that if a homeowner desires to hook up to the system and bypass their current septic system, they may do that. However, by state statute, no one is required to do so; the law basically says if a working septic system was approved within the last 10 years, residents can't be forced to hook up elsewhere.

Member Greg Orschell brought up a pair of potential concerns. He's heard of such  projects where homeowners weren't forced to hook up but received a bill anyway; if it wasn't paid, properties could end up in a tax sale. Orschell also wondered about clean water, saying there are nearby ditches that contain “black water.” He suggested a possible letter of support from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

Palmer said all indications are the revenue stream will be enough to sustain the system. To the second issue, the president said the county would be in no position to correct any wastewater problems from an environmental standpoint; a public safety board or IDEM may establish certain guidelines.

“This is making it possible for new people to move into this area, an area where we already have homes,” he added. 

The influx of new homes could be handled by the Brookville wastewater facility “easily,” he said after checking with that operation. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation, which would need to give final approval, has given a preliminary nod to the project.

Funding for READI projects flows from federal American Rescue Plan Act monies. The grant for this wastewater extension amounts to roughly $4.5 million, the private match being the future development.

“No money from the town, no money from the county … it's all coming from the grant we hope we're going to get,” added Palmer.

He said he placed approval odds near 70% while county consultant Nick Lawrence/Wheatley Group remained less optimistic. Public meetings would be held for transparency purposes if the grant comes through.

Palmer added some comments about the proposed TIF district, saying it would essentially kill any more talk of annexation due to revenues being captured almost exclusively by TIF. That money could then be used for other needed improvements like road repair or maintenance and expansion of the new sewer system.

Another big point of discussion was the new community coordinator contracted position created to oversee the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program (HELP) grant. Resumes are being accepted until 4 p.m. Dec. 14.

The state is matching $1 million allotted to the county and town of Brookville – also originating from ARPA funds – for collaborative projects with Wayne County and the cities of Connersville and Richmond.

Palmer, along with Shelly Lunsford, Jennifer Wilz, Jessica Hansel, commissioner Tom Wilson and Kelly Bulmer, make up the HELP core team. The first four listed attended a kickoff event at the Statehouse on Dec. 1, and the entire team will conduct interviews soon.

“The whole idea is to provide a strategic investment plan for the county and town together,” said Palmer. “That will help guide us in how to spend the money. What we do is designed to last longer than anybody in this room or anyone currently elected.”

The training schedule is long for the team and the new coordinator, stretching into May. Public input will be desired from all communities in the county. Conflict resolution skills were part of the job description to make sure all parties understand what is occurring. The coordinator will have much interaction with state, town and county officials.

EDC committed $10,000 early on from its contractual services budget to go toward the coordinator salary. Brookville committed $10,000 and the state picked up the remaining $20,000. A motion was passed to officially commit the EDC's portion.

Unrelated, Palmer said he's putting together an ARPA funds summary to present to commissioners at their Dec. 20 meeting.

In other news, Lawrence briefly brought up the work being done regionally with the I-74 Corridor to identify agribusiness-related industries locally that may benefit from an Economic Development Administration grant. A producer-based response is the goal; a survey/questionnaire was to be emailed to targeted businesses.

Indiana Farm Bureau has been conducting speed/signal tests in the area to help update a federal broadband map.

The next EDC meeting was moved up to Jan. 3, 2023, 11:30 a.m. to accommodate members' schedules.