Denny Spinner, executive director of Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, speaks about the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program to Jay County Council on Wednesday. Jay County is one of the first three communities involved in the 52-week-long program created to help communities devise plans for their allocation of American Rescue Act Plan monies. “This community is a leading community,” he said. “You’re going to be an example for others to come.” (The Commercial Review/Bailey Cline)
Denny Spinner, executive director of Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, speaks about the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program to Jay County Council on Wednesday. Jay County is one of the first three communities involved in the 52-week-long program created to help communities devise plans for their allocation of American Rescue Act Plan monies. “This community is a leading community,” he said. “You’re going to be an example for others to come.” (The Commercial Review/Bailey Cline)
Jay County will be receiving additional funding through multiple avenues for the next several years.

Hopes are to invest those dollars in long-term projects.

Creating common goals, officials say, is a key component in the process.

Jay County Council continued discussions Wednesday about how to allocate incoming dollars.

The county is receiving just under $4 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. It was also selected for the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program, which includes the opportunity to get up to another $1 million through the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA).

Denny Spinner, executive director of OCRA, shared his hopes for the program with county officials Wednesday.

“What we’re trying to do is align you with the goals that the federal government has set for the funds that are coming your way,” said Spinner.

Those goals, also known as pathways, are advancing e-connectivity, enhancing quality of life, promoting community wellness and strengthening the local economy. (Local committees will be formed to generate ideas for each pathway.)

“This community is a leading community,” Spinner said, noting Jay County is one of the first three communities involved in the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program. “You’re going to be an example for others to come.”

He added that his office will also be learning how to navigate the new program as time progresses. The process is expected to last through the end of the year.

Travis Richards, executive director of Jay County Development Corp., noted the county has multiple avenues of funding coming its way.

Along with American Rescue Plan Act dollars and possible funding through the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program, Jay County is a part of the East Central Indiana Regional Partnership, a group comprised of eight counties that was awarded $15 million in December for projects across the region. It also has economic development dollars still rolling in from Bitter Ridge Wind Farm and will receive about $5 million in economic development payments from incoming solar farms — they are Skycrest Solar, Rose Gold Solar and Sun Chief Solar.

Richards expressed similar points to Spinner and encouraged county officials to pursue “legacy” or long-term projects. The county will be creating a strategic investment plan through the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program, he added. Speaking on behalf of Jay County Development Corp., he said, Richards advocated local officials develop a countywide strategic plan for all additional funds and work together to ensure those dollars are used with common goals in mind.

“(Spinner) mentioned that you want to run all your boats together in the same direction,” he said. “I think that’s really important. We’ve got a lot of boats here … let’s take this opportunity to engage with the state partners and use their expertise to figure out what the county really (wants) to do over the next 10 to 15 years.”

County officials have been discussing potential uses of American Rescue Plan Act monies since June. Project ideas include developing infrastructure for housing, creating a countywide daycare (or helping in some capacity to solve the issue of child care in Jay County) and constructing a facility for Jay County Emergency Medical Service, Jay County Health Department and Jay County Coroner’s Office.

Council president Jeanne Houchins and Jay County commissioner president Chad Aker have been meeting with representatives from the state to learn more about how federal dollars may be used in the community. (There are stipulations and guidelines to how the funds are allocated, with a large aspect tied to coronavirus relief.)

“We look forward to helping Jay County thrive,” said Spinner.

Richards noted he would also like for the county to place an emphasis on marketing itself. His suggestions include creating a landing page website for Jay County with links to cities, towns and other important information and having active social media accounts. Marketing should be directed not only toward the outside world, he said, but also to current residents and businesses.
-30-