ROI approves Daviess County Quality of Place and Workforce Attraction Plan, projects now open for implementation consideration

August 20, 2019

Seventy-six-page report documents feedback received from county public meetings, research, analysis; letters of intent for implementation of identified projects can now be submitted.

WASHINGTON, Indiana – After several reviews and requested updates in its submission of a 76-page Quality of Place and Workforce Attraction Plan, Daviess County received notice of official approval for the plan from Regional Opportunity Initiatives, Inc. (ROI) officials. The submission of the Ready Communities plan capped off “a very intensive 60 days of research, soliciting public opinion and reviewing the needs of Daviess County,” said Bryant Niehoff, executive director of the Daviess County Economic Development Foundation (DCEDF).

DCEDF, in tandem with several other Daviess County organizations like the Daviess County Community Foundation, Purdue Extension Community Development, the Daviess County Chamber of Commerce and others, directed and helped guide the assembly of the report. The approved plan formally identified a number of potential projects and activities that can now be considered for implementation funding through ROI’s Ready Communities program.

“It was a great process, and one that gave us confidence – we now have renewed focus, vision and capacity to build on a strong foundation to advance Daviess County,” said Niehoff. “We have already received some very positive feedback from ROI officials regarding Daviess County’s planning process, and now we are beginning to hone in on high priority projects that could be great candidates for ROI’s implementation program.”

To prepare for the next phase, Niehoff and other Daviess County officials took part in an ROI implementation grant workshop in Paoli on August 6. Officials from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA), who also participated in the ROI workshop, visited Daviess County the following day to meet with Niehoff and others to discuss complementary programs and finding sources in addition to those available through ROI.

Downloadable PDF copies of the report, together with more than 20 separate reports, plans and documents researched for the ROI report, are available both on the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation’s website, here and on the ROI website here.

“I would invite anyone who is interested to go online either at the DCEDC.net website or ROI’s website and review the document for themselves,” said Niehoff. “We live and work in an amazing county with amazing people, and this report clearly conveys a strong sense of that.”

Submitting the report and receiving approval is only the first step. “Now that the Daviess County plan has been approved by ROI, we are free to participate in the next round of grant submission for implementation of the projects that were identified through community outreach,” Niehoff explained. “Any non-profit entity can submit formal Letters of Intent to ROI by September 9 to begin the consideration process for the implementation of projects identified in the plan, so we strongly encourage interested parties to review the Daviess County plan and the Ready Communities Program guidelines and timeline on ROI’s website.” DCEDF can provide additional information from ROI as needed.

He added: “The focus now is to move identified projects into an implementation phase, potentially with funding from ROI in the six-figure range to help kick-start progress.” ROI is also encouraging applicants to seek and review alternative funding sources, including grants and funds available from OCRA and other state agencies.

The implementation grant awarding process is competitive, with numerous counties going after available funds, he added. “There are many worthy projects identified in the 11 county Indiana Uplands region, so ROI will have a lengthy process to consider in selecting projects to be funded,” he said. “After the formal Letters of Intent are submitted for this phase, applicants will be notified by October as to whether they are being invited by ROI to submit a full implementation grant proposal to be considered.”

In preparing the now-approved plan, DCEDF and the Ready Communities leadership team received hundreds of comments and input through two public meetings, a special gathering of county leaders in the ROI QPAT (quality of place and attraction team) group, and an online survey. The leadership worked with the MEK Group, Group Stellar and kglobal to develop the narrative drafts that tell the Daviess County story, identify the county’s quality of place, workforce development and amenities assets, and forge together a comprehensive list of both short- and long-term projects that can help advance the county.

Potential projects included connectivity projects through trails, development opportunities for I-69 Exits 62 (Washington) and 76 (Odon/Elnora), a new focus on developing a county brand to more effectively market and position the county, gateway and streetscape improvements, specific steps to improve communication within the county, more active living and activities associated with young adults and families, new trails and placemaking projects (including projects such as dog parks and similar investments), addressing broadband internet connectivity, and much more.

The need for expanded child care, availability and diversity of housing options, and the means to effectively address ongoing substance abuse issues in the county are also among the solutions and projects identified in the plan.

Considerable focus was given to advancing and augmenting workforce development activities and programs within Daviess County, including consideration for consolidating training programs.

MEK shot new photography and designed the 76-page document, which features content researched and assembled by MEK, Group Stellar and kglobal. Representatives from the three firms conducted and helped guide the public meetings where issues and potential solutions were discussed.

“This was an incredibly positive and beneficial process for the county at large,” said Niehoff. “Many people had great opportunities to bring fresh thoughts to the table, which were complementary to the successful mix of projects, ideas and activities that were already in motion.”

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About the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation 

As a private/public partnership for county-wide economic development, the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) is working to build a foundation for a better tomorrow in the communities within Daviess County, Indiana.  A founding organization of the WestGate @ Crane Technology Park, DCEDC’s mission is to develop a process which improves the standard of living for all citizens by creating, retaining and reinvesting wealth while protecting the environment. For more information, please visit www.dcedc.net.

Contact:
Bryant Niehoff 812-254-1500  cell: 765-561-3800
Michael Snyder 317-805-4870 cell: 317-709-3560