Energize-ECI Regional Planning District Invites Public Comment Regarding Delaware County Projects Submitted to be Included in the Updated 2010 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Report
Muncie, IN – Sheila Cannon, Resource Development Manager for the Energize-ECI Regional Planning District, is inviting interested residents of Delaware County to review and make comments regarding the economic development and infrastructure projects submitted for the 2010 update of the District’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Report.
Ms. Cannon stated, “Many projects have been submitted for Delaware County. We are now in the public review and comment period, inviting residents to forward comments regarding specific projects included in the 2010 list.”
The CEDS update is an annual requirement by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the agency which authorizes the District, along with the State of Indiana. The CEDS Report covers Blackford, Delaware, Grant and Jay counties.
The projects which have been submitted to be included in the 2010 CEDS Report Update for Delaware County and local communities include:
Delaware County
- Riggin Road Project: Road and utility expansions and extensions are needed to accommodate future development.
- Biovision Ag Park: Extension of utilities, infrastructure and roads to and within the Park, needed to accommodate future business expansions and growth.
- Exit 45/I-69 and St. Rd. 28 Utilities: Utilities need extended to this intersection to allow for new business attraction at this optimal interstate exchange.
- Park One Road and Utility Extensions: Road and utility expansions and extensions are needed to accommodate future development in the Park.
- Park One Rail Extensions: Rail extensions to the spur needed to accommodate future business expansions and growth within the Park.
- Fuson Road and Bypass Gas Line Relocation: Gas line needs to be relocated within the Muncie Industria Centre Industrial Park to further allow for new business expansion/attraction.
- Filter Strip Education: Develop and provide education related to filter strips along creeks and other waterways.
- Regional Light Rail System: Create and improve public transportation systems and ultimately passenger rail service to Delaware County.
- Business, Industrial and Technology Parks: Prepare plan to properly acquire, construct and market available business, industrial and technology parks utilizing existing assets.
- Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) of Delaware County: Corrective action needed to improve the CSO problems within the communities of Delaware County to reduce pollution and improve public health and safety.
- State Road 5 Extension: Local interest in extending SR 5 from north of Upland (Grant County) through Matthews (Grant County), Gaston and Yorktown to State Road 67 in Daleville – intersecting highways SR 28, SR 332, SR 32 and US 67. Commercial, economic development, education, safety and geographic access benefits are primary reasons supporting the proposed project.
Albany
- Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO): Corrective action to improve CSO problems and reduce pollution while improving public health and safety.
Cowan
- Cowan Sewer Project: Corrective action for sewer including addition of a grinder system.
- Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO): Corrective action to improve CSO problems and reduce pollution while improving public health and safety.
Daleville
- Daleville Sewer: Creation of a new water treatment operation and/or cooperative agreement for treatment with other entities.
- Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO): Corrective action to improve CSO problems and reduce pollution while improving public health and safety.
Eaton
- Eaton Sewer: Proceed with planning grant application in 2010, evaluation of options and ultimate construction for repairs/replacement to correct failing system, ultimately controlling contaminants flowing into the Mississinewa River.
- Eaton Bridge, Indiana Avenue: Repairs needed to culvert, due to erosion from underneath on south side, to return to two-lane traffic, serving the residents, business and emergency traffic.
- Eaton Water Leak, Romy Street: Assessment and repairs needed to correct water leak coming from under this bridge crossing the Mississinewa River to avoid freezing and to mitigate further infrastructure issues.
- Eaton Salt Storage: Building needed for storage of salt for use on roadways during winter weather.
- Eaton Energy Efficiency: Replacement or retrofit of lighting, updating windows, doors and HVAC to reduce energy consumption and cost at Community Center/Town Hall.
- Eaton Street Signs: Install new traffic signs to meet new Federal retro-reflectivity requirements for most traffic signs (by 2015) and street name signs (by 2018).
- Eaton Sidewalks: Modify/repair sidewalks to be ADA compliant.
- Eaton Community Center/Town Hall: Renovate (35-year-old) facility including updated restroom, tables, chairs and install working water fountain for the many organizations that use this Community Center.
- Eaton Street Barn: Assess and repair building used for storage to preserve and keep safe from weather the City equipment stored therein.
- Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO): Corrective action needed to improve the CSO problems to reduce pollution and improve public health and safety.
Gaston
- Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO: Corrective action needed to improve the CSO problems to reduce pollution and improve public health and safety.
Muncie
- Borg-Warner Site: Reuse/redevelopment of the site as well as rail expansion.
- Muncie Manual Transmissions Site Remediation: Environmental remediation and reuse/redevelopment of the site.
- Ivy Tech Initiative: Develop and implement a plan to coordinate with and capitalize on the relocation of Ivy Tech to downtown Muncie.
- Livable Cities Initiative: Expand on opportunities to create/promote competitive wage jobs, neighborhood councils, downtown plans, parks, neighborhood enhancement projects, mentoring programs and all educational opportunities.
- Land Bank: Organizational and financial assistance to further promote and develop the existing land bank program.
- Reuse of Vacant Industrial Facilities/Brownfields: Promote further redevelopment and reuse of abandoned and underutilized industrial and brownfield locations within the City of Muncie.
- Muncie Street and Sidewalk Issues / Special Consideration to ADA Compliance: Develop a sidewalk and recreational paths plan, as well as existing street and sidewalk infrastructure improvements. In many locations, sidewalks need to be brought up to ADA standards.
- Muncie Action Plan (“MAP”): Expand on or implement any and all actions further identified in the July 2010 Final Report of the Muncie Action Plan (“MAP”). These actions were identified from the ideas and input of more than 2,000 residents of the City of Muncie and County of Delaware in multiple politically neutral and unbiased forums. The ideas and input were then compiled and bound into a single document that is intended to be used by both public and private organizations to steer decision-making and effect positive outcomes to local projects.
- Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) of Muncie: Corrective action needed to improve the CSO problems within the City of Muncie to reduce pollution and improve public health and safety.
- Alternative Energy: Secure funding for alternative energy, as a joint effort with Ball State University to complete BSU’s geothermal conversion project, which will (i) improve quality of life by reducing particulate matter and noxious emissions and (ii) generate hundreds of new construction jobs.
- Digital Media Project: Work with Ball State University’s Digital Media Project to retain and grow more digital technology-based employers
- Energy Efficiency: Improve energy efficiency on the Ball Memorial Hospital campus by completing certain upgrades and installations.
- Helipad: Construction of helipad at Ball Memorial Hospital.
- Green Roof Maintenance: Ongoing maintenance of “green roof” installed in 2009 at Ball Memorial Hospital.
- Cancer Center/Cafeteria Renovations: Renovations to the Cancer Center and cafeteria at Ball Memorial Hospital.
- Second Floor Renovations: Renovate 2nd floor of Ivy Tech Fisher Building Campus for additional, suitable classrooms and staff use.
- Former Whitinger Building: Raze and demolish former Whitinger Building to prepare for additional Ivy Tech parking.
Selma
- Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO): Corrective action to reduce pollution and improve public health and safety.
Yorktown
- Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO): Corrective action to reduce pollution and improve public health and safety.
The 2010 CEDS update focuses on revising the list of local priority projects listed in the current report, plus adding new projects of significance. Projects were submitted by local governmental entities, businesses and other organizations – and are related to improving the economic development, infrastructure and quality of life within Delaware County.
Although a primary focus of the CEDS process is to identify projects that might qualify for funding by the Economic Development Administration (EDA), this is a valuable process for projects which may qualify for funding from other agencies such as the U.S. Department of Transportation; Indiana Department of Transportation; Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) through the Office of Rural and Community Affairs (OCRA); the U.S. Department of Agriculture; Environmental Protection Agency; Housing and Urban Development; Office of Energy Development; and other federal and state resources.
The Energize-ECI Regional Planning District collaborates with local and area entities and grant writers to increase grant opportunity capacity and to bring more revenue to the District.
Residents of Delaware County have until October 16th to submit a comment regarding any of proposed 2010 CEDS projects. Send by mail to: Energize-ECI Regional Planning District, P.O. Box 912, Muncie, IN 47308-1912; email to [email protected]; or phone Sheila Cannon at 765.254.0116.
Submitted Delaware County projects will then be review by a local committee and a priority established for the top projects. This priority ranking provides the District officials with a road map of projects to be developed and funded for 2011 and beyond. The CEDS process also helps each community and county identify and plan for needs affecting the economic development and quality of life in their communities.
About Energize-ECI Regional Planning District
The Energize-ECI Regional Planning District is a multi-county, economic development and planning district governmental agency serving Blackford, Delaware, Grant and Jay counties. The District was formed by the member counties in September of 2009 under Indiana State Statute and is recognized by the Economic Development Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The District’s scope of work is to manage the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) report of the four counties, assist in economic development and planning matters, and to secure grants which help meet the priority needs of the communities and counties within the District. The District is housed in the offices of Energize-ECI, Inc. in Muncie. Details about the Energize-ECI Regional Planning District may be viewed at www.energize-ecirpd.org. The District may be contacted at P.O. Box 1912, Muncie, IN 47308-1912; by phone 765.254.0116; fax 765.254.1450; and by email [email protected].
Prepared by:
Tom Farris
P.O. Box 1912
Muncie, IN 47308-1912
Phone: 765.254.0116
Fax: 765.254.1450