Colby Cline, a Jay County High School graduate who earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Ball State University, will step into his new role as Jay County Development Corporation’s community developer on Tuesday. Cline fills the position that was discontinued for several years as the county tried a different approach. Cline brings a variety of experience, including as an urban designer for Design Collective in Baltimore. (Photo provided)
Colby Cline, a Jay County High School graduate who earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Ball State University, will step into his new role as Jay County Development Corporation’s community developer on Tuesday. Cline fills the position that was discontinued for several years as the county tried a different approach. Cline brings a variety of experience, including as an urban designer for Design Collective in Baltimore. (Photo provided)
Jay County native Colby Cline has been fascinated with historic buildings in the area since he was 8 years old — it’s what led him to pursue a career in architecture.

As the county’s new community developer, one of his goals involves helping with local restoration efforts.

Cline joins Jay County Development Corp. as its newest employee Tuesday.

“I wanted to become an architect because I was always watching our downtown buildings being boarded up and not maintained very well,” explained Cline, a rural Portland resident. “I always had an interest since I was very young in (determining what it would) take to get our downtown looking nicer.”

A 2012 Jay County High School graduate, Cline earned his bachelor’s degree in architecture and his master’s degree in urban design from Ball State University.

He served as an urban designer for Design Collective in Baltimore, working on mixed-use building projects around the Washington, D.C., Baltimore, New Jersey and Maryland areas for about a year before returning to Indiana. Cline worked for a few other companies, including DELV Design and real estate developer Flaherty & Collins Properties of Indianapolis, before returning with his wife, Haley, and children to Jay County in 2022. Cline helped out at his family’s business, 4TC Corporation, for about six months before transitioning into a job with architectural firm Fanning Howey of Celina, Ohio.

When the position opened up with JCDC, he said, it seemed like fate. The job combines his love for architecture as well as an untapped desire to delve into the entrepreneurial world, all while keeping it local.

“The fact that this job popped up right in my hometown where I want to raise my family and my kids, it just is perfect. Too perfect,” he said. “It’s been wonderful to be able to work within my profession and be back in a town of, you know, 6,000 people, a county of 20,000 people.”

JCDC has not had a community developer since former Jay County Community Development director Christy Shauver’s resignation in 2022. The role was discontinued for a few years, with the county hiring a community coordinator to serve in a similar capacity through a two-year contract with East Central Indiana Regional Planning District. Following Jay County Commissioners’ decision in August not to renew the contract, JCDC decided to reinstate its community developer and grant writer position.

JCDC executive director Ceann Bales said the organization lucked out with Cline, pointing to his education and his local tie.

“We are just so thrilled, we really believe (and are) confident he’s going to help us grow Jay County, but really his unique skill set will help our office,” she said.

Along with downtown revitalization efforts, Cline will aid in housing development, connect with developers, write grants and work to attract and retain businesses to Jay County.

“Between his passion for Jay County and developing his home and his education, he is going to be a perfect fit,” Bales said. “We look forward to seeing what he’s going to bring to the (community) … and seeing how he’s going to grow Jay County.”

A member of the nonprofit The Congress for the New Urbanism, Cline talked about the group’s focus on recreating meaningful places around the country, such as community gathering spaces. He voiced his own desire to establish more of those locations in the area.

“The more … actively engaged communal spaces you have, the better your people of your community are going to know each other and have common interest,” he said. “The collaboration really starts at a communal level. So the community developer title, I really like that title, because it all starts with community.”

“A big focus of mine is making (Jay County) a more welcoming Hallmark kind of (place) for people to live in,” added Cline.
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