ECIRPD Hosts Meeting with Economic Development Committee

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Rob Gotschalk (Vandewalle & Associates) listens to
feedback from the Economic Development Committee
Photo by Morgan Crouse

In 2013, ECIRPD was awarded a $150,000 planning grant from the United States Economic Development Administration (EDA) as part of its Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP).

Since then, ECIRPD has been working with Vandewalle & Associates and the cities of Muncie, Anderson and New Castle to put these funds towards developing a strategic plan that will be submitted for review by the EDA in consideration for an IMCP designation that will give ECIRPD priority status for funding from 17 different federal agencies that altogether have $21 million to pull from.

Today, ECIRPD and Vandewalle & Associates, took the next step in developing this plan by hosting a meeting with the Economic Development Committee to get feedback and insight on what improvements are most needed within the three cities.

“The big idea here is to get your gears turning. If you’ve got some ideas, we want to hear them,” said Brad Bookout, an ECIRPD Project Manager.

The Economic Development Committee offered many suggestions. Some of the main concerns brought up by the committee were the need for downtown revitalization, rehabilitation and rebuilding of neighborhood housing, infrastructure improvements, introducing more manufacturing into education and improving the workforce.

The idea to create a regional green space connecting the three cities and make it a recreational or tourist destination was also mentioned.

If awarded, this IMCP grant could help create more jobs, build better infrastructure, highways, rails, industrial parks, shell buildings and fund more Brownfield projects in Muncie, Anderson and New Castle.

“This is a great place and we can make it even better because we have a strong core to start with,” said Tom Farris.

Written by Morgan Crouse
1208 White River Boulevard
Suite 111
Muncie, IN 47303
Phone: 812-603-2157
email: [email protected]