The Harrison County Council Monday night withdrew its support for the former Keller Manufacturing Co. site project in Corydon, which is a main focus of the town's Stellar Communities plan.

In June of last year, the council unanimously voted in favor of allocating $4 million to the project in yearly, $1 million increments.

The commitment was a part of the funding package submitted in the 300-plus page application for the state's Stellar designation. In August, Corydon was one of two towns in Indiana to be awarded the designation, which creates a relationship with the town and multiple state agencies and opens the door for millions of state dollars to be invested in the town.

The resolution amendment, which passed with a 6-1 vote (Councilman Sam Day was against), reads, in part, as follows:

"Whereas, the county council continues in its support of the redevelopment of downtown Corydon, as proposed by the Stellar Project, but now questions successful development of the Keller project ... does not have all the support needed to properly develop the site as originally proposed. Without the support of certain infrastructure the development cannot proceed as originally proposed and presented ... has changed significantly since its original proposal to the council. Specifically, the project has now been compressed into substantially less area than its original area, eliminating acreage and expanding the capacity of certain portions of the project and adding new items to the project ... the existence of easements permitting access across the railroad tracks which divide the Keller site is in question which further complicates the development of the Keller project ... "

It then goes on to state the withdraw of the funding commitment, which was earmarked for the construction of a parking garage.

"The council may consider appropriating funds to support the redevelopment of the downtown Corydon area other than that of the Keller site if an appropriate project and/or site is proposed," it said.

One aspect of the resolution, at the insistence of Councilman Kyle Nix, was taken out of the resolution. It said the council supports private sector development of the Keller site only if it is done with the support and/or cooperation of the railroad (Lucas Rail Line).

Nix, who is the lone Democrat on the council, said he had not seen the resolution until that night.

"Well, given I didn't have any opportunity to give any input on this resolution, I'm going to give it now," he said.

Nix said there are several issues with the Keller property, including liens, environmental issues, railroad easements and more, but said he hoped the county could still support Stellar because many portions of it are worthwhile and it has made a lot of good things happen in Corydon.

"We need not forget that," he said. "There's been a lot of attention brought to our community, and a lot of people willing to invest dollars here whether we agree with it or not."

Council Chair Gary Davis said the resolution states the council's continued support for Stellar.

"I don't care what the resolution says, I didn't have any input on it," Nix responded.

Day said the council is not going to support the project because Lucas' railroad is there, but Lucas doesn't own the Keller property.

"So, does this mean that nobody's going to be able to develop because the railroad's there?" he asked.

Davis said the council would support a private-sector development if Mr. Lucas supports the project.

"Otherwise, we're withholding our $4 million," he said.

"With all respect to Mr. Lucas, Mr. Lucas is not the landowner," Day responded.

"I didn't say he was," Davis said. "But the fact the railroad tracks won't be moved significantly compromises the project, in my opinion."

Nix said he didn't understand the language or its need to be in the resolution. He said if the county isn't going to put money toward the project, it shouldn't care what Lucas' stance is on any potential project at the site.

"I want to show support for Lucas and what he's done for the community," Davis said.

"I do too, but there's no reason to have it in here," Nix said. "I don't see where that has a bearing on our $4 million commitment. It almost looks like ... if he decides there's a viable project, we'll only support if he thinks it's a viable project. I'm sorry; he's not in county government."

The council moved to strike the section from the resolution that read "The Harrison County Council supports private sector development of the Keller site only if it is done with the support and/or cooperation of the railroad" with a 5-2 vote (Davis and Day against).

Councilwoman Holli Castetter, who is the council's representative to the Stellar committee, said a lot of good things are going to happen — and already are happening — in town because of Stellar.

"We continue to support Stellar, in general," she said.

Councilman Donnie Hussung also said he supports Stellar but added there's a lot of issues with the Keller site and he wanted to see officials "get back to the drawing board."

Councilman Gary Byrne, who, along with Hussung and Councilwoman Jennie Capelle, were not on the council last year when the original vote was cast, said he would not have supported it from the beginning.

"It's my belief if the private sector is going to come in and do something like that and it's good for the private sector to invest their money and do this, it probably works best if public money or tax dollars isn't mixed with that," he said. "I believe the free market works best without the government throwing money in there. If it would work, it would work with private dollars."

After the vote to withdraw the funding, Corydon Town Council President Eva North took to the podium.

"I was going to talk about Stellar but that seems to be a moot point," she said. "However, the biggest public/private investment in Indiana is Lucas Oil Stadium ... people are paying taxes for the stadium and Mr. Lucas put his money in to pay for that."

North said she wanted to clarify the $4 million had been withdrawn so they could continue with their plans.

She then read a portion of the original resolution signed last June:

"The Harrison County Council hereby pledges to support the Town of Corydon's application for Stellar designation by committing to appropriate $1 million for each of the years 2017 to 2020 for a total of $4 million."

North said it included more specifics but that statement came directly from the resolution.

"I just wanted to get it on public record that you committed $4 million to the Stellar project," she said.

Yesterday (Tuesday), Timothy Pitcher, development president of Luckett & Farley (the developer who plans a $5 million to $10 million investment at the site) said nothing has changed with regard to the business case for the redevelopment of the Keller site.

"As stated in the council meeting, prior to Harrison County Council's original unanimous vote to fund it, the Keller project provides needed housing, jobs and perpetual economic influx to the thousands of businesses and individuals in Harrison County through a partnership with private investors.

"I see that business case; countless business owners in Harrison County see it; citizens and their children in Harrison County see it; the Town of Corydon and the leadership see it; and officials of the State of Indiana see it. In fact, Indiana awarded the Stellar designation, in part, because of it," he said. "Luckett & Farley is still committed to invest in the project and will work with the State of Indiana, Corydon, Harrison County Community Foundation and Main Street Corydon as we continue to serve."