Boone County Chamber of Commerce, Zionsville Chamber of Commerce and the Boone County Economic Development Corporation held its third annual State of the Chamber Breakfast attracting about 175 Boone County leaders and stakeholders to the 4-H Fairgrounds on the south side of Lebanon.
Panelists included:
Jeff Wolfe: Boone County Commissioner
Elise Nieshalla: Boone County Council
Matthew Gentry: Lebanon Mayor
Clinton Bohm: Town of Whitestown Council President (Whitestown is the fastest growing community in the State of Indiana for over 7 years)
David Phelps: Jamestown Town Council
Angie Moody: Thorntown Community Development Director
Shari Johnson: Advance Indiana Town Board
Wayne Delong: Zionsville Director of Planning and Economic Development
Several questions were asked from the large audience through smart phone connection on slido (app.sli.do)
Question 1: How do these leaders see Zionsville, Lebanon and Whitestown working together?
The Big 4 Trail Project has allowed these communities to work together toward a common goal. Additionally, Mayor Gentry said that all three areas have a common goal of increasing assessed valuation and the three areas are important drivers of that growth. Bohm from Whitestown said the three communities are connected. In some places adjacent to each other. The close alignment geographically can help if there is regional pressure from other areas and pull the three communities together. Wayne Delong from Zionsville said “A Rising Tide Raises All Boats”. In the case of smaller towns such as Thorntown, these small towns can compliment the area by providing a “small town to get away to and enjoy.
Question 2: What is the ideal business you would like to attract to Boone County?
The key items mentioned by these leaders included technology businesses, businesses that “make things”, pay good wages and need skilled workers as well as businesses that require a large investment to insure more permanence. Boone County communities are also looking for businesses that want to hire locally, treat employees well and all things equal, enrich the diversity of the area so the local economy is not overly dependent on one sector, such as Kokomo is heavy on automotive. If that sector goes soft, it can pull the local economy down quickly. Angie Moody said that Thorntown is in the need of small businesses, including a fresh meat and produce supplier. Advance is looking for growth from the “Wonderful” completion of State Road 75 and benefits of a 12″ water main installed and a sewer upgrade.
Question 3: What are the Burning Issues and Challenges in Boone County?
Shortage of a qualified workforce topped the list. Lebanon Mayor said that Lebanon does not have an Ivy Tech and is looking for a way to make that happen. Higher education and quality of life is important. “People attract Jobs and Jobs attract People” Gentry said. Additionally, it was pointed out that Parks and amenities contribute toward that end. A good work force starts in the high schools to increase the level of skills needed to perform the jobs at hand. Elise Nieshalla with the Boone County Council was happy the Boone county Chamber of Commerce started the workforce alliance. It was also pointed out that an active robotics program in the High Schools are playing an increasing importance to prepare the students for the workforce.
Question 4: What efforts are being made for public transportation in your area?
Whitestown has received a grant earlier for commuter transportation. the Town Board recently passed and EID (economic Improvement District) plan to support transportation from Marion County to support job growth in Whitestown. Several hundred people ride the job transport and Whitestown wants to continue the project beyond the grant horizon. It was also noted that “On Demand” transit is also an important challenge.
Question 5: What sets Boone County apart and what are opportunities for improvement?
Zionsville’s uniqueness enhances the sense of place for Boone County. Lebanon is trying to observe what others have done to the east such as Noblesville. What has been done right and wrong there and learn from that. Noblesville seems to be about 20 years ahead of Boone County in some areas and provides the opportunity for Boone County to shape its future and not be trapped in a ’90’s style growth plan but a sustainable growth plan for today.
Question 6: What is being done to increase affordable housing for all in Boone County?
Affordable housing is usually considered to be less than 30% of the household income. Mayor Gentry said Lebanon in 2015 only saw two housing permits. In 2019 Lebanon processed over 80 housing permits. All agreed Cities do not build houses, community partners do. Whitestown is seeing a “Multitude of options coming” their way. Cottages, townhouses, retirement homes etc. Bohm said housing should be available for the High School Graduate with a trade, housing for the young professional and housing options for small and growing families. Zionsville’s Delong said that the large space available with infrastructure in place in the large Zionsville boundary provides additional opportunities for everyone. Wolfe noted that Boone County is in an expansion mode right now so first time buyers are looking at the small towns (Thorntown, Advance, Jamestown) to locate in a less expensive place and still are able to have amenities “a quick step away”.
Phelps in Jamestown is trying to get reliable internet to enhance the amenities of the community. Boone County leaders pointed out that OKRA Funds for infrasture used to be easier to get.
Real Estate Developer Steve Henke is looking at a 2200 acre area South of Lebanon toward Whitestown. This large area will be an upscale development with a master plan where residents can live, work and play. Henke has said that 60% of the residents in any golf community do not play golf but enjoy the amenity view. The 2200 acre area is virtually all farm land and will be a game changer for the area. The Lebanon and Whitestown area is “Thrilled and Excited” about this large development. Henke has seen other projects through such as the Bridgewater Club in Carmel. The School system will be experiencing sizable growth from the development.
Question 7: How can Boone County preserve its rich agricultural heritage?
Wayne Delong, Zionsville Director of Planning and Economic Development said chances for sustainable development is improved when there is a large planning area. The size helps with a larger view and the city can see where things are going so that opportunities can be orchestrated more sustainably. Zionsville’s 67 square miles currently is only 17% developed. Zionsville is developing an Ag Heritage Cultural tourism area in the neighborhood of 32 and 200 South around the Maplelawn Farmstead.
Jeff Wolfe, Boone County Commissioner, said there is a large range of differing opinions on this subject and ultimately this is driven by the market. Leadership must listen to the rural voices while giving land owners the right to make money on the land they have held for years. It is important “to look for things that fit well”, Wolfe said.
Question 8: What can be done to invest in the Next Generation to shake poverty?
Mayor Gentry said “Higher wages equals more family time”. The importance of developing fiber and high speed internet throughout the area is also a feature that will help with education and quality of life for everyone. With respect to roads, Gentry said that road paving is data driven and road repair is driven by the data regardless of the location. Gentry said “We are only as strong as our weakest Neighborhood”.
Wolfe said that poverty is often tied to drug use. This can be address in part by Mental health outreach in Jails. Wolfe said that 72 of 92 counties are looking to add to their jails or build new jails. Wolfe said “There WILL be a future jail project here”.
Ample available food was also brought up as a tool to break the cycle of poverty in any area.
Question 9: Any comments on the Big 4 Trail?
Elise Nieshalla of the Boone County Council said it was a “joy to work on this project” 1.6 million dollars were alocated from the 90 million state-wide trail fund to develop the trail from Thorntown to Colfax, which is progressing well. More funding on Boone County trails will be known by “early 2020” so Boone County is waiting anxiously to see if those funds will be available to keep the trail plan moving. Plans are in place to complete the trail paving from Lebanon to Thorntown soon. A Lebanon to Westfield trail through Zionsville is also in play as part of the Midland Trace Trail.
Angie Moody,Thorntown Community Development Director, is looking forward to a fitness park along the trail with the ability to enjoy local business in Thorntown along the way. The fitness park plan includes restruooms but with grants only totaling $10,000 at this time, funds will need to come from other places to see the entire plan through. She also forsees monthly events along the trail in Thorntown.
Question 10: What will Boone County look like in 20 years (2040)?
Lebanon Mayor Matt Gentry said Boone County will be “A great place to live…connected, moving forward, working together, growing the right way with a balanced economic development plant that is sustainable and has a connection to the smaller towns around.” “We are stronger together”. Clinton from Whitestown sees regionalization growing more connected with walkways, bike paths, connected infrastructure and greater access. Thorntown’s Moody seeks a future with family friendly environment for the kids with 4-H sports, safe surrounding and an enjoyable neighborhood.
Zionsville sees the opportunity to learn from its neighbors to the east so a sense of place can be blended together well. Elise Nieshalla, Boone County Council member sees safety in Boone County being “Huge”. Nieshalla said it was sobering to see the homicide news coming out of Indianapolis and in 20 years there may be 50 new officers on the streets.
Question 11: Where should Boone County Focus its efforts?
Answers to this question included “Volunteerism” and “matched community grants for the arts”. Jeff Wolfe, Boone County Commissioner said “church involvment is also key…the churches can help in ways we are not even aware”.
Question 12: What are you looking forward to accomplishing in 2020?
Jeff Wolfe: Boone County Commissioner: “Looking forward to Sycamore Street Bridge done (in Zionsville) … getting that behind us”.
Elise Nieshalla: Boone County Council: Trail Progress in Boone County and closing the loophole to address the negative tax issue at the State House in Indianapolis.
Matthew Gentry: Lebanon Mayor: Looking forward to spending time with his son it his “first year of life”…and seeing completion of the pickleball courts, Mountain Bike Park and Park improvements.
Clinton Bohm: Town of Whitestown Council President: Looking forward to some exciting announcements later this year and work on the Little League fields by 2021 enabling ESPN games.
David Phelps: Jamestown Town Council: “Looking forward to the storm water flooding problem getting fixed”
Angie Moody: Thorntown Community Development Director “Looking forward to progress on the street project at the fitness park”
Shari Johnson: Advance Indiana Town Board: Final Completion of Indiana State Road 75 in Advance.
Wayne Delong: Zionsville Director of Planning and Economic Development: Infrastructure completion including the Sycamore Street Bridge and enjoying the completion of the expensive “street light project.”