Local officials hope an Opportunity Zone designation could bring benefits to the Town of Hamlet. The census tract containing Hamlet was recently nominated for the federal program by Governor Eric Holcomb.
Job Seekers, High School Students Invited to Job Fair Tomorrow in Knox
Those looking for work will have the chance to meet with several local employers tomorrow in Knox. WorkOne Northwest Indiana and the Starke County Economic Development Foundation are teaming up to host a job fair at the Knox High School Gym.
Officials Urge Public Input on Proposed U.S. 30 Freeway
Starke County’s representatives in the U.S. 30 Coalition project met Wednesday night to get for statistics on traffic data.
North Judson Town Council to Open Cemetery Mowing Bids at Tonight’s Meeting
North Judson Town Council members will open bids for the cemetery mowing contract when they meet tonight at 6:30 p.m.
Members are also expected to consider an amended owner-engineer contract with Common Wealth Engineers. Continue reading
Knox Clerk-Treasurer Discusses Event Success and Important Takeaway from the SCEDF Retreat
Starke County Community Services recently received a plethora of food donations thanks to the “Bluegrass Jam” event hosted by the City of Knox on March 25th.
At Tuesday night’s Knox City Council meeting Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston mentioned that the entry fee for the event was a food donation. Although he didn’t have an exact number for how much food was collected, he said the event was very well attended. He added that many people also provided compliments about the upgrades to the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center.
During his report, Houston also filled members in on the Starke County Economic Development Foundation Community Retreat that he attended with Mayor Dennis Estok and Councilman Jeff Berg. Continue reading
Several Local Officials Attend Starke County Economic Development Foundation’s Community Retreat
A variety of local representatives gathered Tuesday morning to learn more about development opportunities during the Starke County Economic Development Foundation’s Community Retreat.
Those in attendance included members of the Starke County Chamber of Commerce as well as local officials from the communities of Bass Lake, Hamlet, Knox and North Judson. Continue reading
Housing Challenges Discussed with Hamlet Town Council
As the Town of Hamlet looks to attract housing development, town officials are learning about some of the challenges they’re likely to face. During this week’s town council meeting, Ron Gifford with the Starke County Economic Development Foundation discussed a report from Purdue University.
Starke County Economic Development Foundation Appoints Larry Wickert As Executive Director
The Starke County Economic Development Foundation has decided to keep Larry Wickert as its executive director. Wickert has been serving as interim executive director since the beginning of the year. Now, the foundation’s board of directors has decided to make his appointment permenant, according to a press release issued Wednesday.
Knox City Council to Meet Tonight
Amendments to the existing curfew ordinance for the City of Knox will be considered during tonight’s city council meeting at 7 p.m.
According to the council packet provided by administrative assistant Peggy Travis, the curfew ordinance currently in place was originally adopted in October of 1989.
City council members are also anticipated to receive a presentation from Starke County Economic Development Foundation Special Projects Coordinator Ron Gifford. As usual, a monthly progress report will be provided. Continue reading
Starke County Economic Development Foundation to Hold Community Retreat
The Starke County Economic Development Foundation will be holding a community retreat at their office in Knox on Tuesday, March 20th from 7:30 a.m. until noon CT.
Interim Executive Director Larry Wickert spoke to the North Judson Town Council members about the session during their meeting Monday night. He cleared up some confusion about the focus, stating that the event will be open to all municipalities in the area and will not solely be about development in North Judson. Continue reading
NJ Town Council Members to Discuss Cemetery Mowing Ad and Amended Salary Ordinance Tonight
North Judson Town Council members will discuss the cemetery mowing advertisement when they meeting tonight.
Members will also hold the second reading over an amended salary ordinance. At the final meeting in February, members held the first reading over a salary ordinance that would not include a 3 percent raise for the town council members.
At the beginning of the year, members signed off on a salary ordinance that essentially gave a 3 percent raise across the board. However, Town Attorney Justin Schramm explained that since the salary ordinance was approved in January of 2018, the members couldn’t approve a raise for themselves since it wouldn’t look good to the State Board of Accounts to approve a raise in the same year it is given. Continue reading
Gary Poppins Prepping for Business
Gary Poppins will be in production very soon.
Larry Wickert from the Starke County Economic Development Foundation told the Starke County Commissioners on Monday night that brand new popcorn popping machines are in the building along with some other new equipment. Wickert also said a few contractors were at the facility getting things ready to start production soon.
North Judson Town Council Decides on Potential Dates for SCEDF Workday
North Judson Town Council members decided on a few potential dates to recommend for a SCEDF workday when they met Monday night.
Starke County Economic Development Foundation liaison James Young reminded council members that Executive Director Larry Wickert is attempting to set up a session of some kind so members can brainstorm some ideas for potential development. Continue reading
Starke County Council Discusses Funding for SCEDF
Funding for the Starke County Economic Development Foundation and the SCILL Center was discussed by the Starke County Council members Monday night.
Starke County Council Tables Payment to U.S. 30 Coalition
The Starke County Council members want more information about what will be offered to Starke County in the proposed U.S. 30 freeway project before they pay $10,000 toward consultation fees for coalition efforts.
Councilman Dave Pearman asked Larry Wickert from the Starke County Economic Development Foundation about the payment as it was requested. The funds would come out of the commissioner’s County Economic Development Income Tax Fund. Wickert explained that six out of the seven counties involved in the proposed U.S. 30 project pay into the coalition. La Porte County is the only county that doesn’t pay. Wickert believes that U.S. 30 would stay rural in La Porte County and not see an impact. The county has the toll road for a focus.
NJ Town Council Receives Report from Starke County Economic Development Foundation
North Judson Town Council members received a brief monthly report from Starke County Economic Development Foundation Interim Director Larry Wickert when they met last week.
Wickert handed out a report which described different highlights from January. Continue reading
Starke County Economic Development Foundation Researches Demand for New Housing in Hamlet
There may be a market for new housing in Hamlet. That’s according to Ron Gifford with the Starke County Economic Development Foundation. Last month, the Hamlet Town Council asked foundation officials to help start the process of bringing some residential development to the town.
Starke County Commissioners Discuss Appointments, SCEDF Contract
The Starke County Commissioners are attempting to complete their appointments for the year.
At the last meeting, the commissioners appointed Todd Leinbach to the Board of Zoning Appeals, but he doesn’t reside in the proper jurisdiction. He actually lives in the incorporated town of Hamlet and the person appointed must live in an unincorporated area of the county. The commissioners voted to rescind his appointment. Instead, Leinbach was appointed to an opening on the P.E.T.A.B.O.A. Board. Continue reading
Wickert Named Interim Executive Director of Starke County Economic Development Foundation
The Starke County Economic Development Foundation will soon be looking for a new leader. Charlie Weaver has retired, after serving as the foundation’s executive director since 2005.
Industrial Development Opportunities Discussed with Hamlet Town Council
Work continues to bring new industries to the Hamlet area. During the Starke County Economic Development Foundation’s monthly report to the Hamlet Town Council Wednesday, Interim Executive Director Larry Wickert said it’s usually hard to find projects for which Starke County’s sites would be suitable.
