In his report on business retention/expansion and entrepreneurial development, Origer said that Winamac Lumber Yard would be applying for a loan from the Pulaski County Revolving Loan Fund; a committee has been organized.

Origer and Bill Champion of Fratco appeared before the county council on Aug. 8 to seek a tax abatement for the company.

Gina Sheets from the Indiana State Department of Agriculture recently visited the PCED office, Origer said he had a “very fruitful conversation” with her about agricultural-related economic-development potential for the county.

The board was told a local industry has plans for significant reinvestments in the near future.

Origer conducted a brief tour of the Winamac industrial park and the town for representatives of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). The industrial park had been submitted in response to an IEDC lead.

At the WIndiana 2011/Indiana Renewable Energy Conference (IREC), Origer helped at the MidWest Indiana group’s booth and attend sessions on bio-energy. He met Chad Martin, Purdue Extension, who will be presenting at the PC-CARE-oriented Economic Summit in Francesville in September.

Origer met with a local industry representative a couple of times to discuss that company’s status.

The fall welder-training courses have been scheduled for mid-September, mid-October, and possibly mid-November.

Unemployment rates were reviewed; although Pulaski County’s rate increased from 7.0 percent to 7.4, the rate remained lowest in northwestern and west-central Indiana, save Warren County’s.

On infrastructure issues, Origer reported the county commissioners made appointments to the Winamac Industrial Park (WIP) board at an organizational meeting Aug 1. Tom Bonnell was returned to board presidency, Origer was named vice president, Winamac town manager Jim Conner was re-elected secretary, and Steve Morrison announced his resignation. Origer will search for a replacement financial-institution representative. Ed Clark, Pulaski County Recycling, and Art Hoffman are also members.

Origer and board member Jim Fleury represented PCED at Plymouth Tube’s Fiftieth-Anniversary-in-Winamac open house. Sharing space with the Chamber of Commerce and the Historical Society, he had a public-outreach booth at the County Fair. Plans are also set to have a booth at the Francesville Fall Festival. He also reported on his time at the Indiana Economic Development Association’s (IEDA) summer conference at Belterra.

Origer noted that Ivy Tech is looking for classroom space in Winamac, and a couple of potential sites were mentioned.

On marketing issues, Origer attended the June meeting of the Rural and Rustic tourism group, which is working on an outdoor-recreation brochure for the five-county region. He passed around copies of the most recent regional brochures. He also met with Vernon Gillum of the Tippecanoe River State Park about marketing the park from an economic-development perspective. Origer is currently working out some ideas for a new Pulaski County tourism brochure.

During the financial report, the board learned that in seven months, PCED has expended about 46 percent of its annual budget. After land-use-maps payments, the EDC donation fund’s balance is at $3,320.  A check will be made to see if the remaining balance in the PERF account will hold until year’s end.

Under old business, committees for the Economic Summits (Sept. 22 in Francesville; and Oct. 20 in Winamac) reported on plans. Speakers have been secured, numerous invitations have been mailed, and locations for both have been secured. Hiring caterers is the only major organization task remaining.
On the airport expansion discussion, Origer disseminated a packet he had put together containing relevant economic data and his thoughts about the project, so board members could review it before PCED considers taking an official stand on the issue. The board voted to table further discussion until its October meeting.

Economic Summits and Airport Discussion

Under old business, committees for the Economic Summits (Sept. 22 in Francesville; and Oct. 20 in Winamac) reported on plans. Speakers have been secured, numerous invitations have been mailed, and locations for both have been secured. Hiring caterers is the only major organization task remaining.

On the airport expansion discussion, Origer disseminated a packet he had put together containing relevant economic data and his thoughts about the project, so board members could review it before PCED considers taking an official stand on the issue. The board voted to table further discussion until its October meeting.

The board learned that the PC-Care Committee is still working to set up a meeting with representatives of Pulaski West Developers.

Origer spoke briefly on the potential for future agriculture-based renewable-energy for the proposed park, based on his time at WIndiana 2011/IREC, and his conversation with Mrs. Sheets.

The board discussed the Revolving Loan Fund, including micro- and mini-loan tiers. Approval was given to the proposed changes to be presented to the county commissioners.

The EDC will be a sponsor for a “Complete Streets” program on  Monday, Aug. 29. Unless the response rate would require a larger space, the event will occur in the EDC conference room.

 New Business

Under new business, the membership committee reported that Steve Morrison had resigned as the Chamber of Commerce’s representative to the EDC board. The Chamber will take up the matter of a replacement at its August meeting.

Origer reported he has been encouraged to solicit agriculture-sector membership on the PCED board. Names were offered for the consideration. In a related matter, it was also suggested the EDC establish an agriculture committee. A decision was postponed until an ag-sector representative had joined PCED.

Regarding the Land-use/Plan Commission, Origer noted that the final cost to consultant Rhein-Bach would be $7,097, nearly $100 beyond what the board had agreed to pay out of the donation fund. After discussion the board voted to allow up to $100 extra to be allotted to cover this and to make the final payment out of the professional services fund.

Commissioner Boswell reported that the public hearing for the land-use maps and Unified Development Document would occur on Thursday, Sept. 8, at the Pulaski County Public Library, Winamac, from 7 until 8 p.m., and explained that only written comments would be accepted for the record. PCED will have members present to assist as needed.

Origer reported the topic for the IEDA fall conference, to be held in South Bend in mid-September, is workforce development. He requested permission to seek a transfer of funds from the county council so that his schools, meetings and seminars appropriation would have sufficient funds for this and other useful events. The board approved a transfer of $500 to this appropriation from the economic development appropriation.

Discussion was held on the county website, noting that Pulaski Online had been hacked a few weeks ago. Golden Technologies has provided work requests for the website and the Human Services site, and the commissioners have approved the expenditure. Origer asked board members for their thoughts and approval. Discussion ensued regarding necessity and the continuing need to look to a comprehensive overhaul of the website. The board approved Origer’s instructing Golden Technologies to proceed.

Citing the relationship between planning and zoning and economic development, and his own background in planning, Origer asked for permission to use money from the dues and subscriptions appropriation to join the American Planning Association (APA) and the Indiana chapter. Discussion ensued, followed by the board’s approval with the understanding that this strictly for the purpose of professional development, and not to be construed in any way to be indicative of plans regarding the Plan Commission and land-use planning.

Community Reports

To conclude the meeting, board members shared information on events and issues from their respective towns or organizations. They included the following:

• A report that Winamac was not awarded a grant to extend the Panhandle Pathway into town; the Town will reapply in 2012; the sewer-separation project and U.S.35 bridge project are both expected to be finished by October.
• A report that the work on U.S. 421 had been completed. Spirit Days, the town-wide yard-sale fundraising for the Francesville Fall Festival took place recently.
• A note that a new doctor has joined the hospital to replace Dr. Johnson, and progress continues toward the development of the medical-office building, plus Pulaski Memorial is looking into obstetrical/gynecological services.
• A note that St. Ann’s parish would hold its annual picnic (Aug. 6) and that residents of Tippecanoe Township are working toward de-annexing from the Culver Community School Corporation. The board was also reminded of Monterey Days and the festival’s history.
• An announcement that Star City Day is scheduled for Aug. 27.
• A report that the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs was expected to approve modifications to Medaryville’s storm-water project shortly. Town-wide yard sales were forthcoming, and the Potato Fest would occur as a one-day event on Aug. 14.
• A report that the number of participants in the adult summer reading program doubled in 2011.
• A report that seven motor-coaches full of Chicagoland visitors were observed enjoying the town park and Tippecanoe River.