In the quarterly report from the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation, The Economic Development Perspective Executive Director Jerry Chavez updated a variety of projects going on across the county.
Chavez wrote, “Long-term planning is necessary for growth, which is why the Town of Argos is developing a process to update their comprehensive plan.” Argos is benefiting from the technical expertise of the Michiana Area Council of Government (MACOG), who is helping them update the plan. At their last meeting Argos Town leadership began organizing a steering committee to guide implementation of the plan. Argos’ comprehensive plan update will begin in mid-July. The updating process will take approximately 7 months and be completed in early 2017.
The Town of Bourbon, the Bourbon school system, and local businesses have come together to form a task-force to bring high speed broadband communications through dark fiber access to the town. The group reached out to businesses and community members and found resounding support for dark fiber access. Bourbon formed a committee and contacted the Metronet, Warsaw Fiber, and Rochester Telephone Company, seeking proposals this month. The committee will soon meet to discuss the proposals and develop funding options.
Bremen’s Main Street Certification ceremony is scheduled for July 7th. The certification comes after many months of organizing, planning, and building consensus between the Bremen citizens and the Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA). Main Street is a national movement aimed at creating preservation-based commercial district revitalization. The idea behind the program is that a community is only as strong as its core, and by investing in downtown, we invest in the community as a whole. Bremen’s Main Street program is being headed by Bremen Community Cares and the Bremen Historic Center.
After seeing great response to the Stellar Fest kickoff party in Culver earlier this month the committee wants to keep the enthusiasm going. Another Stellar event is planned for July 21st, when Stellar representatives will come to Culver to evaluate the Town and their comprehensive plan. The day will start at 9 am with a presentation at the train depot. One aspect that the representatives will be looking at when they make their decision is regional impact and how wide-reaching the benefits of Stellar designation can be to the region. Culver hopes to fill the room with Town and County supporters to demonstrate that the entire county would benefit from Culver’s success.
And finally, “Enhancing quality of place is vital to the growth and continued success of our communities,” Chavez said. The City of Plymouth is gearing up on a new project, painting the railroad overpass on South Michigan Street. The overpass, originally part of South Gateway project was phased out due to budgetary changes. Now, the City is ready to tackle the project and believes that they can accomplish it without external financial aid. The overpass repainting will be a very important aesthetic improvement to the City, enhancing both the appeal of the South Gateway as well as community pride.
Provided by MCEDC
