MUNCIE — Muncie and the surrounding region spent more than $160,000 in the unsuccessful effort to win millions of dollars in state economic development funds for projects including a downtown riverfront district.
When Indiana Regional Cities funding was announced in Indianapolis on Tuesday, six area people — including Mayor Dennis Tyler — were on hand to see three regions of the state other than East Central Indiana win. Two regions representing parts of northern Indiana and one representing southwestern Indiana will each get $42 million to spend on projects if state lawmakers go along with Gov. Mike Pence's plan.
But East Central Indiana and three other regions will get nothing more than encouragement and guidance in implementing their plans, state officials acknowledged.
After the news of the region's loss, however, the cost of paying for the plan remains.
The Star Press has learned that the East Central regional effort cost $161,100. That figure was released Wednesday by local economic development officials in response to questions from The Star Press.
Costs covered the expense of organizing public and private meetings this spring and summer to formulate the proposal for funding, which included not only Delaware County but Madison County and others in East Central Indiana, as well as production and submission of East Central's 134-page proposal and other expenses.
Most of the $161,100 went to Ninigret Partners, a Rhode Island-based "boutique economic design firm," which was paid $146,000.
Another $6,500 went to planning NEXT, a Columbus, Ohio-based consultant.