By HOLLY GASKILL
Efforts to encourage area growth and economic development were a core topic of discussion from the Wells County Commissioners Monday evening.
The board heard updates from several local and regional boards regarding strategic development and community efforts, including an update from Ron Turpin, chair of the Northeast Indiana Strategic Development Commission.
The NEISDC was formed in 2021 to encourage regional growth. Following a survey of the area, the commission formed 13 action points to achieve this growth. “We believe that with doing these things, we would double the attainment numbers if we did nothing,” Turpin said on Monday.
Earlier this year, the Indiana legislature approved $30 million to support economic development through the commission. Turpin explained that the NEISDC will use those funds toward collaborations and partnerships that will encourage various necessary growth, including in housing development, childcare and credential attainment.
“We know it’ll take years to see the full impact of this, but we feel — and in talking with the state — the same issues we face in Northeast Indiana, they’re actually worse in other parts of Indiana,” Turpin said. “We feel we’ve got a good thing here. We’re the only region in the state that has a plan.”
Commissioner Jeff Stringer then said that opportunities needed to be available at a local level, so people of any age wouldn’t have to travel to other counties for skills training. Turpin noted there are “beta” programs in Allen County at the high school level but general training opportunities would be a good investment.
To this, Stringer noted that many of these beta programs and investments are put toward first in Allen and Whitley counties, which leave rural counties, like Wells and Adams, behind. Turpin affirmed that the commission’s infrastructure subcommittee is primarily focused on rural communities.
Further information regarding the commission’s actions and its five-year plan is available at neisdc.org.
Wells County Economic Development Executive Director Chad Kline then shared the recently launched website, livebetterlivewells.com. The website acts as a hub for information about the opportunities available in Wells County, including job listings, school districts, and recreation attractions.
The website is also home to several videos that reinforce these ideas, showing things like local geography, community events and housing developments. Kline explained that his team’s focus was to show the quality of life, the quality of place and job opportunities within Wells County. Several families are also featured on the page with their own “Wells County stories” of moving to and settling in the area.
Additionally, Kline was present with Julie Meitzler from Imagine Early, a local coalition hoping to increase access to quality childcare opportunities with Adams and Wells County. Meitzler stated the organization recently posted the listing for an executive director who will lead efforts in developing strategies, communicating with local stakeholders and fundraising.
Kline added that the board has also been looking into grant opportunities, building a website, and other items to launch the organization.
holly@news-banner.com
