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Regional planner updates Jay County on Brownfields, EDA revolving fund and culvert grant work
Summary
Bill Walters of the ECI Regional Planning District briefed commissioners on an EDA disaster-area grant for Grant County, roughly $500,000 in Brownfields funds for the region, a proposed $1 million EDA revolving loan fund, culvert/bridge grant work with survey and engineering coverage, and SS4A data compilation; commissioners approved a $3,000 claim for CCMG-related work.
Bill Walters, executive director of the ECI Regional Planning District, updated the Jay County Commissioners on several regional grant efforts and local technical assistance the district is providing.
Walters said an Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant process has begun for Grant County, which the EDA designated as a disaster area, and that roughly $500,000 in Brownfields funding is available across the region. He described a $1 million EDA revolving loan fund that was presented in Detroit as a potential source to cover cleanup costs and help developers close financing gaps. Walters said the district is also working with the Department of Transportation on a culvert and bridge grant that could fund survey and engineering for undersized culverts and bridges, and that Safer Streets for All (SS4A) Grant data are being compiled for adoption by the full ECI board before presentation to local commissioners.
Commissioner Duane Monroe questioned a $3,000 invoice for work on the community crossings/matching grant in Salamonia, Bryant and Pennville; Walters said the work included inventory, a road asset management plan, estimates, bid packets and grant closeout. Walters noted communities may be able to use MVH restricted funds for matching requirements but said ECI staff would continue to work with towns to locate match money. Commissioners approved the $3,000 claim to ECI for CCMG-related work by motion of Chad Aker, seconded by Doug Horn; the motion passed unanimously.
Walters also mentioned USDA Best 6 programs and workshops at the John Jay Center for Learning and collaboration with Ball State researchers on business planning for entrepreneurs. Commissioners did not take additional action beyond approving the $3,000 claim and requesting that motions be made prior to ECI performing future work on behalf of communities.
