By HOLLY GASKILL
There may soon be an interlocal agreement for Wells County’s economic development commission.
On Tuesday, County Attorney Ted Storer told the County Commissioners that he and Tony Crowell, attorney for the city of Bluffton, are continuing to work on an agreement. Storer was unsure of a specific timeline, but said he may have a draft by the commissioners’ next regular meeting, 5 p.m. May 6.
Bluffton Common Council member Scott Mentzer, the city’s point person on the matter, further told The News-Banner that a temporary fee for service agreement may be necessary due to time constraints, but that an interlocal agreement is the long-term goal.
Cheryl Morphew of Johnson County has taken the helm in the meantime. The county and city of Bluffton have each contracted Morphew for economic development consulting for up to 10 hours monthly at $150 per hour.
During the commissioners’ special meeting Tuesday, Commissioner Blake Gerber asked about the county’s stake in READI 2.0, where Gov. Eric Holcomb has awarded $45 million for economic development in northeast Indiana. Commissioner Jeff Stringer stated Morphew was handling that matter but that the funds had not yet been divided between all 11 counties. Stringer claimed Allen County has made arguments for the lion’s share of the funding.
The mayor’s office also announced a READI workshop at 8 a.m. on May 9 for potential project owners via a Facebook post on Tuesday. Ryan Twiss and Michael Galbriath will discuss regional efforts and strategies for the funding.
Morphew’s contact information is also now listed on the Wells County Economic Development Commission website, wellsedc.com.
holly@news-banner.com
