The Knox City Council this week approved a motion declaring the County Road 300 East reconstruction endeavor as a economic development project to allow the city to pay for an unexpected expense out of the County Economic Development Income Tax Fund. Charles Weaver, executive director of the Starke County Economic Development Commission, approached the council and explained that part of the reconstruction of County Road 300 East from Culver Road to west of the city, a number of fire hydrants will have to be relocated.
This reconstruction of the intersection is expected to improve the accessibility of the industrial park for large trucks, which currently have a very difficult time turning onto County Road 300 East or State Road 8 as they attempt to enter or leave the industrial park.
Weaver presented the council with a construction estimate totaling $63,300 to cover the cost of relocating nine hydrants and replacing one, as well as the installation of 615 feet of water line. However, he said that because the project could be considered an economic development project as much as a safety project, the cost could be paid out of CEDIT funds instead of local utility funds.
The council approved a motion declaring the project an economic development project and the $63,300 cost to be paid out of CEDIT funds.
