Economic development office outlines housing, childcare and tourism efforts

Colton, representing the county’s economic-development work, updated commissioners on local business conditions, housing efforts, childcare coordination and tourism initiatives.

He said September unemployment was 3.7% (the most recent month cited) and summarized the completed housing study that produced two projects now in design engineering (one in Decatur and one in Berne). Colton said the county authorized a down-payment assistance program mentioned in the meeting as “Club 7 20,” and reported more than 20 individuals had signed up to participate; he said enrollment is waiting on housing inventory to match participant needs.

On childcare, Colton said the county hired a childcare coordinator, Ashley, in February; Ashley has engaged local employers and providers and is coordinating participation in a regional TriShare program that would split childcare costs among employers, parents and state subsidy. Colton described the program as employer-participation focused and noted regional funding had been made available for TriShare in Northeast Indiana.

Colton also described a tourism initiative intended to grow into a visitors bureau. He said the county would prefer to build justification and demonstrate impact before pursuing dedicated funding through measures such as an innkeeper’s or food-and-beverage tax, and discussed alternatives including partner-funded structures.

Commissioners thanked Colton and asked for follow-up metrics on childcare and housing outcomes as the programs mature.