Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Regional planning director briefs Jay County on broadband, grants and ‘soft‑landing’ business program
Summary
Bill Walters told commissioners the ECI Regional Planning District will finish an economic development strategy by end of July, reported $112,854 in grants submitted (with $62,000 awarded), updated broadband work with AmeriCorps support, and described the Innovation Connector 'soft‑landing' designation that assists incoming businesses.
Bill Walters, director of the ECI Regional Planning District, gave a semiannual update to the Jay County Commissioners on June 9 covering economic development, grants, broadband and community programs.
Walters said the district expects to finish an economic development strategy by the end of July. He reported that the Safer Streets for All (SS4A) grant’s first steering‑committee meeting was well attended and that the team hopes for more public engagement as the project develops. Walters noted the district did not receive an EPA brownfields grant (it went to Marion), but that other funding opportunities for brownfields work remain possible.
On broadband, Walters said Autumn Marshall, serving through AmeriCorps, is working with the Jay County Broadband digital taskforce through the end of August. He advised commissioners that a shift in state administration and funding has altered BEAD and similar programs, and that towns — Bryant, Pennville and Salamonia — have completed CCMG paperwork and will submit applications when new guidelines are set, likely in spring 2026.
Walters listed 2025 grant activity: $112,854 submitted and $62,000 awarded so far. ECI RPD sponsored a golf tournament that raised $11,000 to be shared among four‑county organizations, and the district continues internship programs with Taylor University and Ball State to involve younger residents in regional work. Walters also described the Jay County Mural Project (moved to crowdfunding after initial grant attempts) and said RFPs are being developed for county capital projects including a new Solid Waste Building and a Public Safety Building.
Finally, Walters highlighted the Innovation Connector program and its "soft‑landing" designation, which helps incoming businesses access local networks; he said the program has placed 11 companies in Delaware County and plans to establish two businesses from Italy in the region this year.
