Dubois County delays vote on Mid-States Corridor membership as public opposition mounts

An update from the Indiana Department of Transportation and consultants on Feb. 23 prompted renewed debate in Dubois County over the proposed Mid-States Corridor and the county’s membership in the Mid-States Regional Development Authority.

Kyanna Wheeler of INDOT and Jason DuPont of Lochmueller Group briefed the Dubois County Council on environmental and traffic analysis, procurement plans and a five-section construction approach. Wheeler said the Tier 1 study recommended a super-two or four-lane divided highway and that INDOT hopes to select a contractor by mid-2026 and begin construction in fall 2027; she said at this time no local match is expected and state and federal funds have been allocated.

Following the presentation, multiple residents and stakeholders urged different courses. Brad Hochgesang, co-founder of Mid-States Update and a candidate for Indiana Senate District 48, presented survey results he said show strong local and statewide opposition and presented an ordinance to remove Dubois County from the RDA. He urged President Michael W. Kluesner to call a vote on the ordinance.

Opponents at the public comment period raised concerns about land takings, traffic safety and local impacts. Henry Vollmer, a Southridge Middle School student, said he opposed the corridor because he did not want farmland and homes taken and he worried about safety related to proposed J-turns. Mark Nowotarski of the Coalition Against the Mid-States Corridor asked the council to vet impacts to residential areas and schools and urged disbanding the county’s RDA membership.

Others defended continued participation in the RDA. Sue Ellspermann, who said she was appointed to the RDA by Huntingburg’s mayor and previously served on a blue ribbon transportation panel as lieutenant governor, told the council the corridor’s need was discussed decades ago and urged continued participation so the county “gets this right for the future prosperity and quality of life for everyone.” Mark Schroeder, RDA chairman, said the RDA remains active as fiscal agent for local participation and private funding. Colten Pipenger, executive director of Dubois Strong, said, “To be competitive, we need the Mid-States Corridor.”

After discussion, President Kluesner and the county attorney recommended members review the ordinance presented by Hochgesang. The council agreed to delay any official vote until its March 30, 2026 meeting.

The council also heard comments about energy projects in the county during public comment. John Kaltenbacher of the Town of Holland raised safety and communication concerns about AES (Crossvine) battery energy storage systems and urged the county to consider planning and zoning measures. Holly Bartelt Gogel asked about decommissioning plans and long-term funding if solar companies leave the county or go bankrupt.

The council did not take any binding action on the RDA membership at the Feb. 23 meeting; it scheduled further review and possible action for its March 30 meeting.

Next steps: Council members and the county attorney will review the ordinance presented to remove the county from the RDA ahead of the March 30 meeting.