Earlier this week OFS Brands CEO Hank Menke, District 63 State Representative Mike Braun District 48 State Senator Mark Messmer and Dubois Strong President Ed Cole held an open discussion at the auditorium of OFS Brands to talk about the next steps for infrastructure improvements in the South West Central Indiana Region.
Menke, President of the I-67 Mid-state Corridor colalition says the next consideration is to see how the Indiana Department of Transporation and Indiana’s next govenor hold infrastructure at a high priority to help move the project forward.
The I-67 Development Corporation executive summary is proposing to extend I-67 across Southwestern Indiana from northern Spencer County through Dubois and Daviess counties before connection with Interstate 69 in Washington.
It would be a 4-lane Interstate type roadway that could handle heavy semi-truck traffic and be a more direct route to the Interstate needed for local companies.
Menke talks about the potential benefits of the extension for local companies and manufacturers such as his own…..
Menke noted that the roadway can bring a stronger connection to areas around Dubois County and all of South Central Indiana. He also elaborates on what the corridor could create with enhancing the growth of talent and business development…
Menke adds that the support for this project has been greatly received as they have raised over $450,000 overall with public support at about $230,000 and a private total of about $ 225,250.
He says they found studies that analyze revenue sources, Inkeepers tax, tax increment revenues, food and beverage tax as potential sources of revenue for the communities.
Also reviewed in some studies were economics, traffic count, and safety. Menke says his company’s fleet trys to avoid using US highway 231 for safety reasons.
Messmer describes useful information from data gathered from revenue analysis…
Messmer and Braun plan to propose legislation to the Indiana General Assembly that would allow voters to consider a referendum to use a portion of property taxes to help fund needed projects, like road projects.
Messmer says the roadway is needed for the local economy to be vital to help market local products and allow business to grow.
