EDC discusses projects afoot
February 15, 2023 at 5:47 p.m.
National Main Street accreditation, Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program (HELP), historic preservation and the Regional Economic and Acceleration Development Initiative (READI) were some of the topics brought forth at Monday’s meeting of the Franklin County Economic Development Commission.
Greg Orschell, agricultural focus for the board and president of FC’s Farm Bureau, also mentioned this is Indiana Farm Bureau’ “season” that coincides with the Indiana General Assembly session. He receives a weekly update on pending legislation. There are currently bills on the table that address property rights for landowners, a big issue for the ag organization.
President John Palmer asked whether a letter of support from EDC would help, but Orschell wasn’t sure the bill(s) would make it beyond committee.
Other issues coming up at the assembly include improvements to mental/physical health care, addressing food deserts (residents physically distant from a nearest grocery store) and determining the location of wetlands and which waters are navigable or contribute to navigable waters.
On that last item, Orschell noted the Department of Natural Resources seems to have its own set of rules that collide with official floodplain designations. A property owner may wish to build a home on or farm certain land, only to have DNR point out there are standing water problems.
Palmer wished to get legislative updates as well, considering mental health (homelessness, drug abuse) and the floodplain issue were factors that can impact the local economy.
Jessica Hansel, town of Brookville appointee and the town’s director of special projects, said a community meeting held last week for Brookville Main Street to receive accreditation from Main Street America went well and was well attended. To, in her words “level up,”means among other things more money available from grants.
She expected a decision could come by the end of the month, also giving perspective that only 13 Main Streets in Indiana currently are nationally accredited.
Historic preservation also came up at that meeting. Palmer said he learned for the first time that Brookville’s historic district includes everything between the Whitewater River’s east and west forks.
Hansel explained some guidelines established by the town regarding the Historic Preservation Commission, in place since 2021.
“For businesses and residents, if you are doing any work (home or commercial additions) that can be seen from the streetscape –either street or alley – you have to apply for a certificate of appropriateness (COA),”she said. “The commission reviews it to make sure the work is up to guideline standards, which are very, very detailed.”
Hansel added the town adopted the guidelines last year. The board had mixed opinions on what could be viewed as an “overreach.”
The town’s redevelopment commission also recently reopened its façade grant program, Hansel learned. She said a commercial property owner has since applied, based on downtown design guidelines established years ago but never adopted by the town. Since the preservation commission standards supersede those, a COA would still have to be attained after the initial application.
Palmer, also serving as community coordinator for the HELP grant, noted there are two sessions Feb. 15 at Brookville Public Library (2-4 and 6-8 p.m.) to gauge public input on how to spend a minimum of $1 million to improve both Franklin County and Brookville. He’s scheduled similar sessions in Blooming Grove and Laurel and hopes to soon get to all corners of the county –Oldenburg, Andersonville, Mt. Carmel, Cedar Grove.
There are four pathways to explore –economic activity such as broadband connectivity, quality of place, economic strength, and finally community wellness or convenient access to health care. All data will be compiled into one report and sent to pathway teams, who will then collaborate with university partners (IU, Purdue, Ball State, Ivy Tech) to see what could be implemented locally. From there would come presentations to county and town elected boards.
In other news
The broadband expansion project within the county, led mainly by Spectrum, is moving quickly. Palmer predicts up to 90% of the county will have access by the end of 2023 and all nooks and crannies hit by the following year.
READI funds (from federal monies) are driving a few potential developments in the area. A study is underway to see what might be feasible on the State Road 1 corridor through St. Leon. Bridget Hayes of Brookville Reel Media inquired about the pending application to extend a wastewater line from Brookville up Reservoir Hill to support more housing; Palmer said the application is headed to the Southeast Indiana READI group, but no decision’s been made.
At a recent commissioners’ meeting, Palmer said new employees of the county’s Area Plan Commission and new building inspectors were recommended for a training course, but some balked at the $200 fee. He stated there’s money in the EDC’s professional services budget to cover those fees.
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National Main Street accreditation, Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program (HELP), historic preservation and the Regional Economic and Acceleration Development Initiative (READI) were some of the topics brought forth at Monday’s meeting of the Franklin County Economic Development Commission.
Greg Orschell, agricultural focus for the board and president of FC’s Farm Bureau, also mentioned this is Indiana Farm Bureau’ “season” that coincides with the Indiana General Assembly session. He receives a weekly update on pending legislation. There are currently bills on the table that address property rights for landowners, a big issue for the ag organization.
President John Palmer asked whether a letter of support from EDC would help, but Orschell wasn’t sure the bill(s) would make it beyond committee.
Other issues coming up at the assembly include improvements to mental/physical health care, addressing food deserts (residents physically distant from a nearest grocery store) and determining the location of wetlands and which waters are navigable or contribute to navigable waters.
On that last item, Orschell noted the Department of Natural Resources seems to have its own set of rules that collide with official floodplain designations. A property owner may wish to build a home on or farm certain land, only to have DNR point out there are standing water problems.
Palmer wished to get legislative updates as well, considering mental health (homelessness, drug abuse) and the floodplain issue were factors that can impact the local economy.
Jessica Hansel, town of Brookville appointee and the town’s director of special projects, said a community meeting held last week for Brookville Main Street to receive accreditation from Main Street America went well and was well attended. To, in her words “level up,”means among other things more money available from grants.
She expected a decision could come by the end of the month, also giving perspective that only 13 Main Streets in Indiana currently are nationally accredited.
Historic preservation also came up at that meeting. Palmer said he learned for the first time that Brookville’s historic district includes everything between the Whitewater River’s east and west forks.
Hansel explained some guidelines established by the town regarding the Historic Preservation Commission, in place since 2021.
“For businesses and residents, if you are doing any work (home or commercial additions) that can be seen from the streetscape –either street or alley – you have to apply for a certificate of appropriateness (COA),”she said. “The commission reviews it to make sure the work is up to guideline standards, which are very, very detailed.”
Hansel added the town adopted the guidelines last year. The board had mixed opinions on what could be viewed as an “overreach.”
The town’s redevelopment commission also recently reopened its façade grant program, Hansel learned. She said a commercial property owner has since applied, based on downtown design guidelines established years ago but never adopted by the town. Since the preservation commission standards supersede those, a COA would still have to be attained after the initial application.
Palmer, also serving as community coordinator for the HELP grant, noted there are two sessions Feb. 15 at Brookville Public Library (2-4 and 6-8 p.m.) to gauge public input on how to spend a minimum of $1 million to improve both Franklin County and Brookville. He’s scheduled similar sessions in Blooming Grove and Laurel and hopes to soon get to all corners of the county –Oldenburg, Andersonville, Mt. Carmel, Cedar Grove.
There are four pathways to explore –economic activity such as broadband connectivity, quality of place, economic strength, and finally community wellness or convenient access to health care. All data will be compiled into one report and sent to pathway teams, who will then collaborate with university partners (IU, Purdue, Ball State, Ivy Tech) to see what could be implemented locally. From there would come presentations to county and town elected boards.
In other news
The broadband expansion project within the county, led mainly by Spectrum, is moving quickly. Palmer predicts up to 90% of the county will have access by the end of 2023 and all nooks and crannies hit by the following year.
READI funds (from federal monies) are driving a few potential developments in the area. A study is underway to see what might be feasible on the State Road 1 corridor through St. Leon. Bridget Hayes of Brookville Reel Media inquired about the pending application to extend a wastewater line from Brookville up Reservoir Hill to support more housing; Palmer said the application is headed to the Southeast Indiana READI group, but no decision’s been made.
At a recent commissioners’ meeting, Palmer said new employees of the county’s Area Plan Commission and new building inspectors were recommended for a training course, but some balked at the $200 fee. He stated there’s money in the EDC’s professional services budget to cover those fees.