Dale Booth, of Whitley County Economic Development, told the Board of Commissioners that the county has several active recruitment projects and “someone who’s working with the owner” of the Rogers Shell building is engaged in site discussions.

Booth said one prospect is an international company exploring operations in the county, and he warned that changes at the Indiana Economic Development Corporation are making competition with other states more aggressive. “The Indiana Economic Development Corporation is kind of going through a big change and they are not doing the same kind of incentives that they have in the past,” Booth said, and he added that local business-friendly policies will be important to land projects.

On broadband, Booth said the partner referred to in the meeting as “CERF” has state grants and is expected to seek a payment request from county council on the sixth; Booth said the partner intends to invest almost $10,000,000 of its own funds to extend rural broadband in Whitley County. “CERF… will use those grants. But in addition, probably invest almost $10,000,000 of their own dollars, to get rural broadband,” Booth said.

Booth also described local small-business assistance work with the Indiana Small Business Development Center and said two entrepreneurs are pursuing projects in Columbia City. He said the county wants to remain proactive on tax abatement and incentive issues as state policy evolves.

Next steps: Booth said staff will take the broadband partner’s request to county council for consideration; no formal county council action was taken during this meeting.