New Castle-Henry County EDC to join East-Central Indiana Regional Planning District

Regional planning districts work with the federal Economic Development Administration to secure funding for projects such as industrial parks or brownfield improvement. The EDA works with regional groups rather than individual counties.

ECIRP includes Blackford, Delaware, Grant and Jay counties. REDDEI would include Fayette, Randolph, Rush, Union and Wayne counties. Henry County formerly belonged to the Eastern Indiana Development District, which dissolved in late 2012.

“I think membership in the East-Central Indiana group is a good idea because when we polled (EDC board members) most of the commuting patterns, either for work or play, are up to Muncie. Obviously, Ball State is a big draw and has a lot of connections here in Henry County and we just think looking north might be a better fit than Rush County and to the east,” EDC board president Jon Madison said.

EDC president and CEO Corey Murphy agreed.

“The recommendation is reflective of already existing relationships and activities within the region,” Murphy said. “Specifically, there’s the tri-city plan done last year between New Castle, Muncie and Anderson, and our regional marketing organization encompasses that area as well. There’s also the Regional Cities initiative which is centered around Muncie.”

Murphy also said Henry County will continue to work with counties south and east when possible.

Membership in ECIRP costs about $15,000, Murphy said.

The board also voted to recommend to the commissioners membership in a regional development authority that is part of a new initiative set up by the state. Murphy said Indiana is making $84 million available to RDAs in Indiana and that there is no cost to participate. Each established RDA is charged with creating a 7-year plan to address quality of life projects. If the project or projects involved are compelling enough the state will provide some funding. The county councils of each member county would then have the authority to increase its Economic Development Income Tax to fund specific projects they supported in order to generate funding for their match.

“I’d say this is a do no harm proposal and so it’s a no-brainer,” board member Cathy Hamilton said.