Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Redevelopment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Southeastern Indiana development group urges Sunman to fund consultants and back redevelopment commission
Summary
Wayne Jenner of the Southeastern Indiana Development Corporation urged the town to partner on economic development, proposing a year of strategic planning work (about $72,000) and asking the town to help form a six‑member redevelopment commission to guide housing and industrial site reuse.
Wayne Jenner, who identified himself as a member of the Southeastern Indiana Development Corporation, told the town board the group seeks to accelerate local business recruitment and site readiness by hiring Indianapolis-based strategic planners.
"My name is Wayne Jenner. I've been serving on the uh committee there for about a year and a half now and wanted to come and present some things to you tonight," Jenner said, explaining the group has a fund derived from earlier land sales that has generated interest and largely been preserved.
Jenner said the organization proposed contracting a professional firm (identified in discussion as Civotas) for about one year of consulting work to identify developable sites, prepare them for investment and connect town leaders with potential employers. He estimated the consulting engagement at roughly $72,000 and asked whether the town would consider co‑funding under a contract.
The proposal was framed as complementary to the town's work rather than replacement of municipal responsibilities: Jenner said the group does not "want your job" but wants to help the town pursue economic development goals from the comprehensive plan, particularly affordable and senior housing and rehabilitation of aging commercial property.
Council members asked about available industrial acreage (Jenner said most designated industrial land is already in use) and utility capacity; staff said there were no current utility restrictions at the discussed sites. Jenner pointed to a south‑of‑town site as a possible option and described the corporation's ability to use small initial investments to acquire and recycle property for redevelopment.
The board discussed the parallel step of establishing a redevelopment commission to coordinate efforts. No formal contract or town contribution was recorded in the transcript; Jenner asked the council to consider whether the town would be willing to enter a contract and potentially add funds to the project.
The board did not take a recorded roll‑call vote on a municipal contribution during the meeting; members agreed to continue discussion as they move forward with a draft redevelopment ordinance and membership planning.
