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Commissioners introduce Vigo County Community Development Corporation to speed county property transfers
Summary
Commissioner Schweitzer presented a plan to form the Vigo County Community Development Corporation, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit intended to help the county transfer and develop county-owned properties more quickly; the board discussed governance, funding and safeguards.
Commissioner Schweitzer introduced the Vigo County Community Development Corporation (Vigo County CDC), a proposed 501(c)(4) social welfare nonprofit intended to help the county transfer and develop county-owned properties more quickly.
Schweitzer said the CDC is not intended to replace the Terre Haute Economic Development Corporation or the Terre Haute Redevelopment Commission but rather to provide another tool to move county property, facilitate development and ‘‘reduce the burdens of government.’’ Schweitzer said the CDC currently has no funds and that the initial plan includes selling 66 acres the county owns to a local business owner to seed the corporation.
Schweitzer described the corporation’s purpose as encouraging projects that further housing, economic development and community revitalization. He said the board of directors would have three members appointed by the Vigo County Board of Commissioners; Schweitzer reported he had appointed Daniel Connolly, Commissioner Klinkenbeard appointed John Collette, and Commissioner Morris appointed Emily Crapo as initial directors.
Schweitzer said Indiana law allows transfer of county property to a nonprofit for nominal consideration in some cases and that the State Board of Accounts requires the CDC to keep its own bank account and ledger separate from county accounts. He said legal counsel from Taft Law prepared incorporation documents.
During questions, an attendee named Kevin asked whether properties moved to the CDC could be taken off the tax rolls by going to a nonprofit that never places the property in taxable hands. Schweitzer said those are valid concerns for the CDC board and that legal opinions and further policy discussions will be needed as the CDC begins operations. Commissioners discussed targeting larger parcels (10+ acres) and using the CDC to address tax-sale lists and abandoned parcels.
Why it matters: Commissioners said the CDC could speed certain land transfers and enable redevelopment projects that are encumbered by the county’s appraisal and sale procedures. Commissioners also cautioned that the structure is political and will require safeguards and legal review to protect the public interest.
What’s next: This introduction was informational; commissioners indicated further work with legal counsel, county council members and the CDC’s initial board will follow before transfers or sales are finalized.
