The Grant County Redevelopment Commission on Dec. 1 adopted Declaratory Resolution 001‑2025 to begin the statutory four‑step process to establish an Economic Development Area (EDA) at the intersection of I‑69 and State Road 26, adjacent to Fowlerton.

Dustin Meeks, attorney with Barnes & Thornburg, told commissioners the resolution identifies the EDA and a coterminous allocation area and authorizes that incremental property tax revenue — the increase in assessed value inside the allocation area measured from a 01/01/2025 base assessment date — may be used by the redevelopment commission to finance infrastructure improvements to spur development. "The plan is intentionally broad because this area is almost entirely undeveloped," Meeks said, explaining the plan's scope and the flexibility it provides under the cited statute. Meeks referenced "Indiana code 36,714" as the governing statute used to describe permissible projects.

Meeks outlined the next steps if the commission adopts the resolution: plan commission review for concordance with the comprehensive plan, approval by the board of commissioners, a final public hearing before the redevelopment commission and then notification to the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance and the county auditor's office. "Because we're adopting this resolution here at 2025, your base assessment date will be 01/01/2025," he said.

Commissioner Lemming moved to accept Resolution 001‑2025 and Commissioner Hicks seconded. There was no public hearing required at this stage; commissioners voted aye and the motion carried. Staff said it will coordinate follow‑up meetings with Dustin Meeks and Commissioner Middlesworth to continue the statutory approval process.

The vote begins the formal process to create the EDA and establish the allocation area; it does not authorize expenditures or specific projects. The plan's broad scope leaves detailed project selection, financing and any specific infrastructure work to later steps in the process.