The Morgan County Redevelopment Commission on a voice vote approved a $3,276,745 commitment to road improvements around a proposed new elementary school, funding upgrades to Centennial Road and a proposed roundabout at Egbert Road that supporters say are needed to handle school traffic and unlock development.

Commission members heard a presentation from Greg Marks of GM Development and Eric Ballen, the school corporation superintendent, who asked the RDC to help bridge a funding gap for roads needed to serve the new school. "If you were able to help us with this project, it would be a tremendous help for us. We've got a gap we're trying to close, and this would close about 40% of that gap," Greg Marks said. Eric Ballen said the school planned a single large STEAM elementary that would allow the district to close multiple smaller elementary schools and described the road work as necessary to make the site functional and safe: "We're wanting to make sure that we don't have a no purpose wing or a no purpose school. We have what's best for our kids."

Nut graf: The RDC's action commits cash on hand from redevelopment/TIF allocation areas to fund transportation infrastructure the school and developers say is essential to operate the new campus and to spur further economic development in the Henderson Ford / Centennial Road corridor. The commitment is contingent on further agreements: the commission expects a contractual arrangement or memorandum with Morgan County and the school corporation to specify how the county will administer and be reimbursed for the work.

In discussion commissioners and staff emphasized safety, long-term costs and funding mechanics. Commissioners asked whether a roundabout or other improvements would handle farm equipment and whether the Centennial Road upgrades would be adequate for daily drop-off/pick-up congestion. Chelsea (county redevelopment staff) explained that Eagle Valley and several other allocation areas are interconnected and that Eagle Valley funds can be used across those linked areas (West Point is excluded). The staff report showed an Eagle Valley allocation-area cash balance of about $6.7 million as of June 30, with an expected additional roughly $1 million in final 2025 receipts; staff said the commission would use cash on hand, not bonding, for the commitment.

The commission considered an initial motion for $3,000,000, then amended that motion to the full $3,276,745 figure and voted to approve the amended motion. Commissioners and staff agreed the commission's commitment is an initial step; the county commissioners and county legal counsel must still approve contracts and the reimbursement mechanism. Staff said the county could either perform the work and be reimbursed by the RDC or the school could contract directly and be reimbursed, and that a contractual agreement would be the way to assure the school receives the specific road improvements it requested.

Ending: Commissioners closed the item noting that more detailed agreements and budget draws would be developed before funds are disbursed and that county and school officials would continue coordinating design, timing and contract language.