PCED director Nathan Origer reported that, due to delays on both sides, the production is running behind schedule.  However, venues and segments have been confirmed. The delay will likely permit for the inclusion of migrating sandhill cranes in the episode.

Associated Images works with regional organizations, local economic development commissions, municipal governments, chambers of commerce and convention and visitors bureaus to create the broadcast-ready television programs. Once the half-hour programs have aired, the video materials are made available to the local sponsoring organizations for their own marketing efforts. Earlier this summer writer/producer Marla Madinger Williams and her husband, photography director Gregory Williams, visited Pulaski County to visit venues under consideration for the local production.

In addition, each Savor Indiana episode has unique extended learning resources available that reflect the Indiana Core Academic Standards and offer high level discussion questions and activities in language arts, science, social studies and mathematics for all grade levels K-12.

Indy Partnership, a business unit of the Indianapolis Chamber, has reported that the stories Savor Indiana highlights "are often inspiring and told in a light-hearted manner. We have been humbled by the response of viewers, teachers and students and amazed by the wide variety of really wonderful people whose creative lives and can-do attitudes make the Hooiser state a terrific place to live and work."

Origer also reported that the County Council has approved the request for an additional appropriation to fund a Pulaski County episode of ExtraordINary Indiana, produced by the same company, which will highlight unique businesses. Although the featured businesses and programs for that episode have yet to be determined, Origer has provided a draft list to Associated Images, which saw great promise therein.

Other Business:

In other business, Origer reported the County Council has passed the first of two resolutions necessary to make the old Chesapeake Recycling building tax-abatement eligible.

The commission learned that work continues on the PC-CARE engineering-study proposal. Two landowners have expressed willingness to cooperate.  Origer will instruct Territorial Engineering to begin work on the two properties and will reach out to a few more landowners. One landowning business has expressed willingness to sell land if and when a prospective tenant has been secured, but has reservations about selling to the county without a known prospect. Brief discussion ensued regarding current willing landowners and their locations.

Origer was asked if he had spoken with anyone from Magnetation, given the importance of rail to them, the possibility of future spin-offs or complementary businesses, and the massive investment that the company is making in White County. Origer said he would contact his counterpart in White County about this.

Origer reported he had met with County Council president Jay Sullivan about the issue of the county’s special-legislation CAGIT rate and fund surplus, and the use of CEDIT funds for jail-lease payments. He said Sullivan expressed understanding and support, including for proposed west-side development; though no concrete commitments have been made, options discussed include seeking changes to the Indiana Code to provide greater flexibility to the special CAGIT fund to free up more CEDIT money for economic development, the council’s lowering the special-legislation CAGIT rate, or both. Origer will have to solicit support from State Rep. Doug Gutwein, Sen. Ed Charbonneau, or both, assuming that the county would request legislative changes. PCED board member and county commissioner Larry Brady suggested that Origer discuss these issues one-on-one with County Council members.

Origer also noted having spoken to  Sullivan about the possibility of certain cash-rent payments for land in the industrial park being deposited in the wrong fund. He explained the matter, but noted that perhaps now would not be the appropriate time for pursuing this, and that waiting until industrial-development funds were in greater demand may be more prudent. Commissioner Brady remarked that it would be in everyone’s best interest to determine whether proper procedure had been overlooked in this matter.

Origer reported he has continued to receive positive feedback about the Pulaski County Young Professionals Network  from those with whom he has discussed this project. He hopes to have a committee appointed by the October meeting.   

Origer had received four of the five expected proposals or quotations on revamping the PulaskiOnline website, and has provided them, along with his preliminary thoughts, to the PCED commission members. The fifth, from Winamac-based New View Solutions, is to be provided as soon as Origer receives it. One proposal came in significantly lower than the others, which are all in the same range.  Origer noted that, obviously, cost is a consideration, but he expressed discomfort with the fact that the low-bid company is located in Arizona and nowhere near Pulaski County; moreover, its proposal is a poorly put together spreadsheet with cost estimated, but nothing else. Discussion ensued regarding the four companies and their proposals, with Origer noting that he is still formulating an opinion and is, thus, not ready to make a recommendation to the commission.

Origer then reiterated that cost for the website project is an important consideration, but that it is not the lowest cost, but the best value, that matters most; how cost would be weighed against each firm’s professionalism, portfolio, and grasp of branding and the needs of the commission and the county would need to be determined.

Origer said he hoped for a decision at the October meeting, emphasizing the need to make some progress before year’s end because the 2013 budget includes funding for this project; he explained various issues relating to cost-sharing, billing over two years, and other financial issues.

Also in other business, Origer reported that his new assistant, Carol Fernandez, would be resigning as of Sept. 27, as she has accepted a position in Judge Shurn’s office. Members joined the director in thanking Ms. Fernandez for her exceptional service, and then discussion ensued regarding the process for replacing her.