John DeSalle, Vice President of Engineering and Manufacturing for the Hoosier Racing Tire Corporation was appointed to be Marshall County’s representative to the Regional Development Authority the County has created with Saint Joseph and Elkhart counties.
During Monday’s County Commissioner meeting Jerry Chavez, Executive Director of the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation said the five member appointed board, 2 from Saint Joe and Elkhart counties and 1 from Marshall County will oversee and communicate on activities and act as a guiding governance board. Board members are not elected officials but citizens or business people who have an interest in advancing the region. He said, “In looking at potential candidates it’s important to have a variety of participants that have a strong interest in private sector because it will drive a lot of the Regional Cities Initiative.”
In conversations with Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter and County Commissioner Kevin Overmyer, Chavez said several names were offered and John DeSalle was their selection. He commented during the meeting, “Here’s a company that is international, has a huge presence in this community, and has that drive in terms of a young population, young engineers, young people on the technology side to keep business going forward and keep business very competitive.”
$42 million dollars is up for grabs and there are eight Regional Development Authorities vying for the grant. The grant is capped at 20% funding for each of the projects on the application. If the North Central Regional Development Authority is successful in the application process other resources will be sought to fund the remaining 80% from sources such as non-profits, public and private sector funds. Chavez said, “The state wants to get more people invested in their Regional Development Authority.”
The Marshall County Commissioner unanimously approved the recommendation.
