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Southeastern Indiana Development Corporation urges Sunman to form redevelopment commission and consider $72,000 consultant contract
Summary
Wayne Jenner of the Southeastern Indiana Development Corporation told the Sunman Town Council the group wants to form a redevelopment commission and hire Indianapolis strategic planners for about $72,000 over one year to prepare sites and attract industry and housing; council agreed to take the draft ordinance to first reading.
Wayne Jenner, a member of the Southeastern Indiana Development Corporation, told the Sunman Town Council the group wants the town’s help forming a redevelopment commission and is proposing to hire professional planners to make potential sites development-ready.
Jenner said the corporation — formed after citizens and businesses pooled funds to buy 40 acres near town — has left much of its fund balance invested and now wants to engage outside expertise. “We’re looking at about $72,000” for a year of consulting work, he said, and asked whether the town would consider contributing or contracting for services.
The group’s written mission, Jenner noted, is to “promote and encourage … business prosperity and economic welfare for the town,” including attracting new industry, rehabilitating existing businesses and supporting housing. Jenner said a formal redevelopment or economic commission would help coordinate those efforts with the town.
Council members asked practical questions about utilities and available sites; Jenner replied that there were options adjacent to town, raised the group’s prior success attracting Frank’s Industry and said professional planners can help make the next sites ready for development. Jenner emphasized the group does not intend to supplant town staff: it wants to support and speed work that the town cannot staff alone.
Council members also discussed a draft redevelopment commission ordinance that would create a six-member body (three appointed by the municipal executive, two by the town board and one nonvoting school representative), set annual terms and require bonding and basic reimbursement for expenses. The ordinance text would permit funding through a budget line, economic development funds, partner nonprofits or grants; commissioners noted the commission could, in some cases, acquire and redevelop property and use proceeds to finance future projects.
Council members agreed to move the draft into the town’s formal reading process so the plan can be reviewed and scheduled for first reading at a future meeting. No final vote on establishing the commission or on municipal funding for the $72,000 contract was recorded during the meeting.
