From left, Dan Thystrup, Rachael Rhoades, Doug Hanes, Kevin Stone, Jan Orban and Brad Johnson take their oaths of office. InkFreeNews photo by Madison Hart.

By Madison Hart
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Redevelopment Commission approved two re-pavement projects at a meeting Thursday, Jan. 9.

Kosciusko County Highway Superintendent Steve Moriarty came before the commission to follow up with a project approved in December 2024. In December, the commission approved $500,000 to re-pave CR 700W from SR 25 to CR 700S, near Burket. Since that meeting, Moriarty received a quote of $700,000 to complete that stretch of road. With $500,000, the pavement could reach CR 600S. Moriarty felt strongly based on studies of that road as a semi route that the pavement needed to reach CR 700S. He requested an additional $160,000 for a total of $660,000 for the project.

Commission Member Kevin Stone asked why there was a large discrepancy between the initial estimate that was approved and the quote. Moriarty explained the quote of $500,000 was based on last year’s prices. He said prices have gone up; plus, the contractor said three inches of width won’t be sufficient for all the semi traffic. Other commission members discussed if there were any other upcoming projects in the Tax Increment Finance district that would require the funds, but they did not know of any. Ultimately, the commission determined this use of the TIF funds will serve and benefit the TIF district, and the commission approved the request.

Moriarty then introduced another re-pavement project regarding the Maple Leaf TIF district. He explained that East CR 900N was repaved in 2020, but it can get congested, causing drivers to take East Mock Road. Moriarty recommended repaving a two-mile stretch of Mock Road, from Old SR 15 and CR 200E, in order to strengthen the infrastructure connecting the Maple Leaf traffic. The commission stated it had already confirmed with Maple Leaf there were no other upcoming projects that would require the TIF funds. Moriarty requested $444,000 of the TIF funds for the project. The commission approved the request.

The commission also moved to update these two projects on its 2025 spending plan.

In other business, the commission heard from Suzie Light with updates on KEDCO. Light said KEDCO is excited to meet with Club 720 to talk about attainable housing. KEDCO is also working with Purdue MEP to make a grant discovery database. Light said KEDCO has a partnership with Plug and Play. She also said Thane White took over the Racquet Club. Light said KEDCO will also be hosting a manufacturing meeting and an entrepreneurial social.

The commission also:

• Took oaths to be sworn into office.
• Elected officers for 2025: Doug Hanes was elected president; Jan Orban was elected vice president; and Dan Thystrup was elected secretary.
• Approved Adam Turner for legal representation of the commission for 2025 for a retainer fee of $2,000.
• Approved the Lewis Dreyfus Abatement; the County Council approved this Dec. 14, but it needed commission approval as well since it was within the Dreyfus TIF district.

The next Kosciusko County Redevelopment Commission meeting will be 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 13, in the Old Courtroom.