Dubois County Council hears RDA presentation as residents urge withdrawal over Mid‑States Corridor

On Dec. 29, 2025, the Dubois County Council heard a presentation from Bill Kaiser, legal counsel for the Mid‑States Corridor Regional Development Authority (RDA), and RDA Chairman Mark Schroeder on the authority’s statutory scope, financial reporting and project timeline, while residents urged the county to withdraw from the RDA over transparency and property‑loss concerns.

Kaiser told the council the RDA has a narrowly defined purpose under state law limited to pursuing study, development and construction of a four‑lane corridor linking the Ohio River at Rockport to I‑64 and that “there is no connection between the Indiana Economic Development Corp (IEDC) and the Mid‑States RDA. No money is received from the IEDC.” He distributed handouts including the development plan, audited financials, bylaws, organization documents and a notice about an eight‑year renewal requirement under Indiana law.

The presentation noted the Tier 1 study is complete and that Tier 2 would define how a new terrain route might be constructed. Schroeder said the County Council will ultimately decide whether Dubois County renews or withdraws membership from the RDA and encouraged the county to use County Engineer Levi Leffert to advise on proposed intersections and any relinquishment of US‑231. Schroeder told the council he believed the RDA’s eight‑year organizational date implied a May 11, 2026 deadline for renewal, but counsel said the statute is silent on the exact process and the county’s legal obligation beyond funding the Tier 1 study has been met.

The meeting included extended discussion about a Public Policy Polling survey that Kaiser characterized as having a roughly 2% response rate (636 responses from 16,000 polled). During public comment, resident Brad Hochgesang questioned Kaiser’s neutrality and urged the council to withdraw from the RDA; Hochgesang also cited poll results he said showed 81% opposition. Jason McCoy, a Martin County resident with commercial property in Dubois County, alleged the RDA had not been transparent, said neighboring officials were unaware of the RDA and suggested political influence in the project’s advocacy. Resident Bob Pfister said the corridor could force an estimated 150 property owners through condemnation; Roger Pund pressed for records of reports filed under Indiana Code 36, and Maggie Marystone urged the council to take the poll seriously and to seek constitutional counsel.

Council members asked specific questions about the RDA’s authority, whether the county had additional financial obligations and the poll’s validity. Councilmember Alex P. Hohl asked how withdrawal would affect other units; Councilmember Deena J. Lewis said she wanted a balance between resident concerns and future industry growth. Kaiser and Schroeder responded that the RDA was formed through public meetings and that federal transportation funding would flow to the state for INDOT to allocate; Kaiser reiterated the RDA itself cannot create revenue sources though it may issue bonds under applicable law.

The discussion concluded without a formal motion to renew or withdraw membership; council leaders said the body must provide direction to the RDA and resolved to consider the matter further before the county acts. The council did not take a vote on RDA membership at this meeting.