What is in store for the quickly changing economic landscape in Boone County?
Kaspar Media attended the Boone County State of the Community Breakfast held at the Witham Pavilion at the Boone County Fairgrounds Tuesday morning.
The State of the Community Breakfast was hosted by:
- Boone County Chamber
- Boone County Economic Development Corporation
- Zionsville Chamber of Commerce
Sean Reaves, Executive Director of the Boone County Chamber welcomed over 200 community leaders to listen and participate in a nine-person forum directed by Molly Whitehead, Executive Director of the Boone County Economic Development Corporation.
Jim Caldwell (Advance), Shane Childress (Jamestown), Matt Gentry (Lebanon), Korean Gray (Thorntown), Dan Patterson (Whitestown), John Stehr (Zionsville), Jeff Wolfe (Boone County) and Shari Richey (Boone County) participated in the forum as attendees asked questions about Boone County’s rapidly changing future.
Here are some highlights of the burning issues facing Boone County, directed by questions from the audience moderated by Molly Whitehead.
- 163 homes are coming to the Thorntown area. Korean Grey from Thorntown reported that the new lagoon was just completed to help with water treatment and no issues are expected with the additional housing plans now underway near Thorntown with respect to water in or wastewater out.
- Panelists were asked about possibilities for a Reservoir on Sugar Creek. Lebanon Mayor Matt Gentry said that the high cost per million gallons of water for such a project makes it on onerous process, coupled with the reality that such a project may span 20 years to complete.
- LEAP District plans will continue to put pressure on 421/Michigan Road. John Stehr said the future of 421 will be a “significant issue in the years to come.” As Zionsville prepares for growth, it is important to remember 421 is a Federal Highway. Safety will be a prime consideration in the future changes coming to 421/Michigan Road in the years ahead.
- Growth in Boone County is being felt County-wide. In Advance/Jamestown, Shane Childress reports the area is “contacted often” from entities interested in the Advance/Jamestown area. Some of these contacts are not public information at this time. Jim Caldwell with Advance Government reported that Advance is “ready with sewer and water” if inquires result in building opportunities.
- Lebanon Bypass plans will likely NOT go east but rather be directed toward the LEAP project area, according to Lebanon Mayor Matt Gentry. An Eastern bypass may resemble a “road to nowhere”. A logical bypass initiative will likely seek to change traffic patterns to relieve pressure brought on by the larger LEAP district on Lebanon’s north and west side.
- Zionsville Golf Carts are likely to be embraced as long as they have proper permits and drivers continue to be careful, according to John Stehr.
- Young People are increasingly looking for LOCATION first, and JOB OPPORTUNITIES second according to Lebanon Mayor Matt Gentry. This puts pressure on building amenities in Boone County such as the Big 4 Trail. It is extremely important, Gentry noted, that creative balances with housing options are available, using an “all the above options” approach to anticipate housing needs. This spectrum may include Apartments, Townhouses, Single Family Homes, and various density housing solutions to creatively address the housing needs of young people and young families. Gentry noted that requirements such as “100% masonry” may look nice but such requirements will stifle needed growth and availability of housing in Boone County. Long lasting sustainability of housing must also be carefully balanced with cost and density to arrive at the right balance to deliver the housing needed in the future. This will require some “Flexibility” from those setting building requirements and regulations.
- Jeff Wolfe observed that it is important for Boone County to focus on local training so employees can train for the next level opportunity even as they are already employed at the current local position. Wolfe also predicted, with his years of real estate experience, that “this market will drive itself”. Wolfe predicted that prices for housing in Boone County “will continue to go up”. “Having options is key” to address housing in Boone County in the future, underscoring the need for “all options” on the table, not just the development of single-family homes.
- Housing production must not be done by mandates of “exact lot sizes” or other strict requirements. Better housing solutions will occur if developers can partner with city and county to deliver a mix of housing solutions driven by a wide diversity of density and architectural characteristics.
- Affordable Childcare is a burning issue in Boone County. Shari Richey is excited about what Boone County-Lilly collaboration may bring with respect to affordable childcare. Boone County leaders expressed the hope that partnerships with large employers may bear fruit and leaders are “ready to be at the table” to help relieve the shortage of affordable childcare in Boone County. It was noted that the 700 new jobs coming to Boone County will only exacerbate the problem in the months ahead.
- Matt Gentry noted that affordable Childcare is a “Huge Problem” and may impose limits to future opportunities. The solution, according to Gentry, may include input from Public Schools, Faith Based institutions and city and state cooperation by carefully reviewing (carefully relaxing) rules for in-home childcare and other creative options. Gentry on a positive note, observed that everyone seems to be “pushing the same direction” on this topic.
- Koren Gray reported that 2 days per week on the 2nd floor of the Thorntown Hall, retired teachers and others help with childcare, complete with field trips to the local library.
- Readi Grant 2.0 opportunities were addressed in the forum. Statewide, 500 million dollars from Indiana and 250 million dollars from Lilly will be available. “Progress is a Team Sport” was brought up as collaborative groups such as CIRDA (Central Indiana Regional Development Authority) team up to compete for these brick-and-mortar funds together. Lebanon has joined CIRDA to add its input to try to receive Readi Grant funding. Gentry noted that the Readi Grant funding is a good thing, but as the funds are dispersed across the entire state, the money will “go quickly”.
- Koren Grey with Thorntown said that since so many grants in today’s world require some form of matching, it is extremely difficult for small towns the size of Thorntown to have the matching funds on hand to secure these grants, even if small towns made a good case for the funding.
- Jeff Wolfe noted that “Planning is Key” to the growth process facing Boone County today. Balancing the need to “preserve the feel in Agricultural areas” with progress and growth now facing the county will depend on proper planning to “Control Sprawl”. An overlay will guide this development and greatly aid in the growth process coming to Boone County.
- Jim Caldwell from Advance reported that he has observed that many landowners in the Advance area “were not selling” and things will not change.
- Matt Gentry expressed a need to have comprehensive planning. He understands the frustration of those who want to see “soybean fields forever” but also Gentry expressed the need for comprehensive planning to “do more things to keep our kids here”. “They can travel the world, but live here”, Gentry said. Good planning can help direct growth and balance the concerns of the community.
- John Stehr reminded the group that “some care about their rural community like others care about bricks. “A comprehensive plan process makes sure development is done the way people want.”
- Dan Patterson said a community can’t “Un-ring the bell”. He cautioned against tearing down history and legacy “in the name of progress”.
- Change is hard, Gentry said. But we need to “think of the future.”
Panelists thanked the audience for the opportunity to speak and expressed appreciation for this initiative organized by the Boone County Development Corporation.
