Franklin County Economic Development Commission met Tuesday to review the previous year and align those goals with the upcoming calendar.

President John Palmer asked fellow members to summarize their activities outside the monthly meeting, then described his as well.

Jessica Hansel started. She is Special Projects Director for the Town of Brookville and thus appointed by the town. In her role, she's involved with the PreservINg Main Street program and the Historic Preservation Commission. She's also a core team member for the HELP collaborative grant (Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program) and oversees municipal Brook Hill Golf Club and its employees. She also works with the aquatic center employees, Brookville Main Street and merchants, as well as Utilities Supervisor Tim Ripperger and Administrative Resources association (ARa's Tara Hagan) – the latter being grant administrator for Main Street's façade improvements. One grant being pursued covers body cameras for the town police; another may help develop the park on East 7th Street.

Greg Orschell was next. He looks to expand agricultural opportunities in the county, also serving as board president of FC Farm Bureau Inc. He noted a lot of people don't generally understand “what or why” farmers do what they do on a routine basis outside of production. He believed ag was the largest industry in Indiana and Palmer backed that up, saying “you're definitely the largest taxpayer.” Thus, Palmer added it's not so much ag brings in tourists but the industry pumps money back into the community. The president added he's cognizant of more traffic from development possibly impeding farmers' access to roads and such; Orschell said this is already a problem.

Palmer's 2022 largely centered around the region's award of Regional Economic and Acceleration Development Initiative (READI) federal funds and utilizing the money for specific targets. 

One was the Sycamore gas line going up 101 North to the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) based on Golden Road. Another is the HELP grant; Brookville's contribution was $500,000 while the county went in for $1 million. Then there is the current application for an extension of Brookville's wastewater line up Reservoir Hill to support future housing; the request was for $4.5 million. If approved by the Indiana Economic Development Corp. (IEDC), the overall project would help attract families and potentially build up the school system with more students and more state funding.

Greenacres Foundation has purchased Michaela Farms in Oldenburg and plans to establish an education center for students and residents to learn about agriculture.

Palmer also reminded the deadline is fast approaching for county residents to “challenge” their current internet service at their home addresses. The purpose is to update the Federal Communications Commission broadband map nationwide so when local territories open for new providers, the state can justify spending more money to increase rural coverage. There are upcoming sessions at the Brookville Library for people who need help completing this task. Palmer wanted to thank Whitewater Publications and Franklin Co. Observer for helping get the word out.

Meetings will continue to be on the second Monday of the month, 11:30 a.m., for 2023, excepting October which falls on Columbus Day; October's will be the 16th at the same time.

EDC secretary Sandy Hill was approved for a pay raise from $14/hour to $15. The commission had $5,100 to go toward part-time employee(s). Hill works approximately 6.5 hours per week.

The community coordinator position to facilitate the HELP grant locally has been filled and offered; an announcement is pending.