Posted on August 8, 2019
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler, and Constellation of Starke Executive Team Member, presented the county commissioners with a proposal to provide a commitment for matching grant funds for certain projects within the Regional Stellar Communities Designation Regional Development Plan.
If Starke County is selected as the Regional Stellar Communities Designation winner, Ritzler said the county would need to come up with about $1.8 million in matching funds over four years to assist with five projects in the unincorporated areas of the county. Those projects include a Bass Lake Beach and Waterpark, connecting roads, Koontz Lake Community Center, Koontz Lake park improvements, and San Pierre Park.
With matching funds, a total of $10 million will be used to complete these projects over the next four years, if the county is designated.
Ritzler said that many private donors have contributed money that may lessen the county’s matching fund obligation. CEDIT Roads and Bridges Funds can be used to fund the grant match as well as Rainy Day Funds in addition to the private donations.
The commissioners unanimously approved a motion to move forward. The same request will be before the county council members at their next meeting on Monday, Aug. 19.
The communities of North Judson, Knox and Hamlet will be providing match money for projects specific to those jurisdictions.
Showing posts with label Regional Stellar Communities initiative. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Regional Stellar Communities initiative. Show all posts
Thursday, August 8, 2019
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
North Judson Kicks Off Comprehensive Plan Process with Public Workshop
Posted on May 22, 2019
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
Grand Central Station in North Judson was bustling Tuesday evening as members of the community gathered to contribute to the Town’s comprehensive plan.
Clerk-Treasurer Andrew Rowe reminded the public that the Town applied for a substantial amount of grant funding through the Office of Community and Rural Affairs to hire HWC Engineers to assist with the comprehensive plan process.
The firm is also working with Starke County and the Town of Hamlet. As a reminder, the municipalities were required to establish up-to-date comprehensive plans when they became involved with the Regional Stellar Communities initiative.
Councilwoman Jane-Ellen Felchuck noted that while the Stellar Communities program requirement helped get this effort off the ground, there has been a desire to get a plan in place for many years.
One member of the public noted that that a lot of people moving out metropolitan areas are looking for communities with “elbow room” to settle down in. He indicated that there is a lot of potential in North Judson but it will take some planning.
He shared, “This is a good thing for this community here. We need to get together and talk and hash out some ideas to get something started, whatever it may be, whatever may be the first step so I’m glad we’re all here starting on this.”
After some additional discussion, the group was divided up and was given the opportunity to provide input through some interactive exercises.
There were various boards set up that prompted the public to engage in different ways. One board simply asked what people like about North Judson and another asked what residents would like to see. There was also a station that focused on establishing ideal locations for future development and identifying priority projects.
In another station, people were encouraged to put red or green stickers on certain options to gauge the public’s preference about particular kinds of projects.
For instance, while a lot of people put green stickers on the ‘grocery store’ and ‘local boutique’ options, the ‘big box store’ option had many red stickers affixed to it.
The participation boards will be displayed in North Judson Town Hall for a little while to give people who missed Tuesday’s meeting the chance to weigh in as well.
Individuals are also welcome to take the comprehensive plan survey online to assist with the process. That will be open to the public until Monday, June 10th.
The results of the online survey and the ongoing public input sessions will be incorporated into a draft plan which will be presented during a meeting in August.
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
Grand Central Station in North Judson was bustling Tuesday evening as members of the community gathered to contribute to the Town’s comprehensive plan.
Clerk-Treasurer Andrew Rowe reminded the public that the Town applied for a substantial amount of grant funding through the Office of Community and Rural Affairs to hire HWC Engineers to assist with the comprehensive plan process.
The firm is also working with Starke County and the Town of Hamlet. As a reminder, the municipalities were required to establish up-to-date comprehensive plans when they became involved with the Regional Stellar Communities initiative.
Councilwoman Jane-Ellen Felchuck noted that while the Stellar Communities program requirement helped get this effort off the ground, there has been a desire to get a plan in place for many years.
One member of the public noted that that a lot of people moving out metropolitan areas are looking for communities with “elbow room” to settle down in. He indicated that there is a lot of potential in North Judson but it will take some planning.
He shared, “This is a good thing for this community here. We need to get together and talk and hash out some ideas to get something started, whatever it may be, whatever may be the first step so I’m glad we’re all here starting on this.”
After some additional discussion, the group was divided up and was given the opportunity to provide input through some interactive exercises.
There were various boards set up that prompted the public to engage in different ways. One board simply asked what people like about North Judson and another asked what residents would like to see. There was also a station that focused on establishing ideal locations for future development and identifying priority projects.
In another station, people were encouraged to put red or green stickers on certain options to gauge the public’s preference about particular kinds of projects.
For instance, while a lot of people put green stickers on the ‘grocery store’ and ‘local boutique’ options, the ‘big box store’ option had many red stickers affixed to it.
The participation boards will be displayed in North Judson Town Hall for a little while to give people who missed Tuesday’s meeting the chance to weigh in as well.
Individuals are also welcome to take the comprehensive plan survey online to assist with the process. That will be open to the public until Monday, June 10th.
The results of the online survey and the ongoing public input sessions will be incorporated into a draft plan which will be presented during a meeting in August.
Thursday, October 4, 2018
SCEDF Executive Director Informs NJ Town Council Members of Upcoming Asset Mapping Workshop
Posted on October 4, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
When North Judson Town Council members met on Monday, Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Larry Wickert alerted them about an upcoming asset mapping workshop that they’re invited to attend.
This opportunity was first discussed during a meeting at the SCEDF office in August where local officials spoke with representatives from OCRA about the Regional Stellar Communities Initiative.
Stellar Project Manager Michael Sinnet emphasized the importance of identifying existing assets within the community. He explained that this can mean natural, human, financial and physical assets.
The workshop will be a chance for local officials to sit down and really dig into what the county already has to offer and how those assets can be expanded or improved upon.
The asset mapping will be held next Tuesday at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center. Community members who believe they have something valuable to contribute to this conversation should contact Executive Director Wickert to indicate your interest and he can provide further information. He can be reached at 574-772-5627.
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
When North Judson Town Council members met on Monday, Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Larry Wickert alerted them about an upcoming asset mapping workshop that they’re invited to attend.
This opportunity was first discussed during a meeting at the SCEDF office in August where local officials spoke with representatives from OCRA about the Regional Stellar Communities Initiative.
Stellar Project Manager Michael Sinnet emphasized the importance of identifying existing assets within the community. He explained that this can mean natural, human, financial and physical assets.
The workshop will be a chance for local officials to sit down and really dig into what the county already has to offer and how those assets can be expanded or improved upon.
The asset mapping will be held next Tuesday at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center. Community members who believe they have something valuable to contribute to this conversation should contact Executive Director Wickert to indicate your interest and he can provide further information. He can be reached at 574-772-5627.
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
North Judson Clerk-Treasurer to Serve as Town Representative in Regional Stellar Community Efforts
Posted on September 5, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
North Judson Town Council members decided who would serve as their community representative for the local Stellar Executive Team when they met Tuesday night. Clerk-Treasurer Andrew Rowe had expressed an interest in representing the town and council members voted unanimously to allow him to serve in that capacity.
Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Larry Wickert was present at the meeting. He noted that one of Rowe’s responsibilities as the community liaison will be to attend a series of workshops that OCRA will be offering throughout the wintertime.
He also provided some information about an opportunity coming up next month that’s related to the Regional Stellar Communities initiative.
Wickert said that an asset mapping exercise will be held at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in Knox on Tuesday, October 9th from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. This will be a chance for community members to assess all the existing assets within the county and develop plans for how to better utilize or expand on them.
If you feel that you’d have something valuable to bring to the table during these discussions, contact the SCEDF office at 574-772-5627.
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
North Judson Town Council members decided who would serve as their community representative for the local Stellar Executive Team when they met Tuesday night. Clerk-Treasurer Andrew Rowe had expressed an interest in representing the town and council members voted unanimously to allow him to serve in that capacity.
Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Larry Wickert was present at the meeting. He noted that one of Rowe’s responsibilities as the community liaison will be to attend a series of workshops that OCRA will be offering throughout the wintertime.
He also provided some information about an opportunity coming up next month that’s related to the Regional Stellar Communities initiative.
Wickert said that an asset mapping exercise will be held at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in Knox on Tuesday, October 9th from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. This will be a chance for community members to assess all the existing assets within the county and develop plans for how to better utilize or expand on them.
If you feel that you’d have something valuable to bring to the table during these discussions, contact the SCEDF office at 574-772-5627.
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