The Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership is soliciting feedback on a collection of projects for potential Regional Cities Initiative funding, and some from Wells County are in the mix.
According to the partnership’s website, there are more than 70 potential projects in the region’s “unfiltered portfolio.” This includes “lead projects,” or those for the first two years, and future projects – for years three through eight.
Public feedback is open until June 15 for the first phase of projects, or years one and two.
Participants are asked to indicate if they would strongly support, support, or strongly oppose each project on a sliding scale. They can also write in how they believe each project will help make the region “a great place to live”; the Regional Cities Initiative is aimed at improving qualities of life throughout the state by offering two regions $42 million each in matching funds for projects.
A proposal from each participating region is due July 1. Included in the region with Wells are Kosciusko, Adams, LaGrange, Steuben, DeKalb, Allen, Whitley, Huntington, Wabash and Noble counties.
Listed in the possible projects is riverfront development for a performing arts center in Bluffton.
“As the centerpiece of a proposed riverfront promenade, the Bluffton Performing Arts Center would be a several-hundred seat venue with accompanying green space and potential for a restaurant in the future,” its synopsis reads. “The PAC would also likely house a community arts organization to allow space for dance and music classes and an art gallery area. The proposed riverfront development would include entertainment, dining, and cultural amenities for Bluffton and the surrounding area.”
A regional trail network, which could connect Wells to surrounding counties, is also an option. Another potential project is a much-discussed Food Innovation Center in Bluffton.
“Dedicated to the mission of supporting and growing businesses that add value to agricultural and food products grown and produced throughout the greater Northeast Indiana region, this project would include a food and business incubator, food test kitchens and laboratory, a culinary arts program, a food hub and farm-to-table program, and opportunities for food entertainment,” the synopsis reads.
“By supporting local food businesses, Bluffton will be able to both attract and retain entrepreneurial talent, as well as support the development of new and unique businesses in downtown Bluffton.”
Projects were split into categories: downtowns and community development, education and industry, greenways (trails) and blueways (rivers), and arts and culture.
The final portfolio was created after “drawing from hundreds of existing community plans, focus groups in each of the 11 counties, interviews with stakeholders, walking tours, and planned private sector investments.”
Before the July 1 deadline, the Steering Committee – which includes Wells County Economic Development Director Tim Ehlerding – will review the feedback and, with “strategic direction” from the region’s consultant, “potentially reposition or remove projects that have a weak connection to the Regional Cities quality of place imperative,” according to the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership’s website.
Also according to the website, “The full proposal of all projects will be available at the end of the month upon submission of the proposal.”
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