From left to right, Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers, Trafalgar Town Manager Bryan Gregg and Franklin Mayor Steve Barnett pose for a photo at the inaugural Trafalgar State of the Town address Thursday morning at the Trafalgar Community Building. Erika Malone | Daily Journal
History was made and growth was on the horizon as Trafalgar officials delivered their first official State of the Town address Thursday morning.
Community members gathered in the Trafalgar Community Building to recap the accomplishments of the past year and to officially announce the Trafalgar Area Chamber of Commerce.
David Eger, board president for the newly-formed chamber of commerce, welcomed guests to their first event and shared how 18 months ago a group of local business owners and town leadership came together to create what they have today.
“Eighteen months ago, a group of local business owners and town leadership met to begin connecting together as a group, which has led to the creation of the Trafalgar Area Chamber of Commerce,” he said. “Today we celebrate the inaugural event of the Trafalgar Area Chamber of Commerce and the first Trafalgar State of the Town Address. I am so excited to serve as the board president and look forward to strengthening Trafalgar together.”
Town Council vice president Ashley Chaney highlighted why she decided to run for council in the beginning — to bring the community together.
“I just wanted to highlight the fact that we hired a town manager, so that is history,” she said. “We were able to purchase the community building, which supports community togetherness and unity. It’s been such a blessing to be part of all these things that are happening.”
Town Manager Bryan Gregg took the stage to address the many accomplishments the town has made and the community’s support that made it all possible.
Gregg thanked Franklin Mayor Steve Barnett and Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers, who were in attendance, calling them not just community partners and fellow leaders, but also mentors.
“I do appreciate you, respect you, and value your guidance,” he said. “Thank you for what you’ve been able to pour into me to help me serve this community.”
Gregg shared a list he made at the end of the year, reflecting on what the town has accomplished that filled multiple pages.
The town completed renovations of the town hall using COVID-19 relief funds and expanded the town hall parking lot to double its capacity. The town purchased the former Connection Pointe Church for $475,000 in early 2025 and allocated an additional $50,000 for renovations.
This 2011-built 2,940 square foot church came with typical church spaces, but has since been renovated to a community space for events and gatherings.
Gregg said over $25,000 is renovation costs were saved by internalizing a majority of the work thanks to volunteered help from staff, council members and the community.
The town also received a $100,000 grant from Festival Country Indiana to build an outdoor music venue in an effort to improve the quality of life through community gathering areas.
When thanking Festival Country and contractor Glue-Lam Erectors, Gregg signed the building permit for the amphitheater during the state of the town address, saying construction will start soon.
Infrastructure was also improved this past year. Multiple fire hydrants were replaced, water mains were fixed, GIS mapping of infrastructure was performed and an altitude valve at the water tower was replaced, Gregg said.
The town installed internet services at the wastewater plant to allow for remote monitoring and replaced multiple curbs that had been decaying for years.
A new wastewater consultant was hired to improve operations and oversight accountability and the town also started working with Gibson Insurance to improve risk management and cost savings, Gregg said.
Multiple new police vehicles were purchased this past year, along with a rebranding of the police fleet to give a new, fresh look, Gregg said. The town has also managed record snowfall twice this past year and coordinated multiple response efforts during flooding events.
Trafalgar also supported the retirement of officer Dustin Moody, who was catastrophically injured during a police pursuit in 2022. The town ensured continuation of benefits through COBRA coverage, Gregg said.
The town created and adopted the official town seal of Trafalgar and launched a new website. Trafalgar also hosted the first-ever Hometown Heroes night with the Trafalgar Police Department and fire department, along with their first Cars and Coffee event.
Along with the establishment of the Trafalgar Area Chamber of Commerce, the town has been able to strengthen multiple partnerships throughout the community and rebuilt trust through transparency, Gregg said.
Gregg also mentioned the Johnson County story project, an idea he pitched to Leadership Johnson County, which is a video documentary of individuals sharing their life stories.
After sharing the list of town accomplishments, Gregg awarded community members who have worked on building a strong foundation for the town of Trafalgar with commemorative bricks. A donation was also made to the chamber in the name of each person honored.
“We’re building a really great home here for all of us, and you don’t build a home on a shaky foundation,” Gregg said. “These bricks represent people who have contributed their efforts that laid the foundation for success years ago.”
Toward the end of Gregg’s address, he thanked his wife, Ashley and daughter, Stella, who have sacrificed much so he could dump passion, time and energy into the community of Trafalgar — choking back tears.
“I want to thank them for their support and understanding that I’m in the process of building a very big house in Trafalgar that not only we are getting to call home, but this entire community can too,” he said.
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