Pulaski County economic and community development updates: Curbsie fee proposal, industrial park appraisal request, housing and broadband progress

County staff provided a package of community and economic development updates that included a proposed regional fee increase for the regional organization referenced in the packet as “Curbsie,” a recommendation to pay for an updated appraisal of county industrial park land, a request to convene a Board of Finance meeting for small investments of county funds, housing construction progress and new broadband grants.

Why it matters: staff said the regional entity’s per‑capita fee has not changed since it was set at $0.40 per resident in 2002 and that a modest increase would help the organization keep pace with inflation and expand services such as grant‑writing assistance for small towns. Nathan told the board a proposal on the table would raise the county’s per‑capita contribution by 15 cents next year and another 15 cents in 2027; that would raise Pulaski County’s fee from $5,006 this year to about $6,883 in the first increase, and to about $8,760 by 2027. Staff said the regional organization’s total per‑year revenue would increase roughly from $57,914 to $101,350 under the proposal.

Industrial park and funds: the Advisory Commission on Industrial Development asked commissioners to approve payment for an updated appraisal of county industrial park land. Staff said the appraisal would be paid from Fund 40.25 (Industrial Park Improvements), a non‑tax fund, and also asked the commissioners to convene a Board of Finance meeting to consider investing $30,000 from Fund 40.25 and $40,000 from Fund 4103 (general donation fund) to generate modest interest. Nathan said the last appraisal was roughly in 2016 (estimates varied) and that having a current appraisal would speed future sales or development steps.

Redevelopment and other commissions: the redevelopment commission is conducting visioning and strategic planning to identify projects it might pursue. The Economic Development Commission is in a holding pattern pending any tax‑abatement or revolving loan fund applications. The tourism advisory council is working on a tourism strategic plan and a simplified rack card to direct visitors to the county website.

Housing and broadband: staff reported the Willow Creek Villas project on Galbraith Drive is nearing the vertical construction phase, with underground work nearly complete on two buildings and the project described as about two weeks ahead of schedule. On broadband, Nathan said the county was awarded two planning grants through USDA and OCCRA and staff will coordinate use of those funds with the Community Foundation and the county broadband task force. He also said LightStream is advancing a fiber project that will reach roughly 150 households in the southwest, west and northwest parts of Winamac, and that Mainstream Fiber (based in Nashville, Indiana) is discussing a larger project covering underserved areas of Pulaski County.

Finance note: staff said the county’s revolving loan fund had $292,246.39 available to lend and that four borrowers were in good standing as of January.