TASK GROUPS MAKING PROGRESS

By Janet Peters/Jackson County Banner

The steering committee for the Brownstown community planning process met July 9 at the Brownstown Presbyterian Church to review goals and objectives and hear reports from the individual task groups. The meeting was facilitated by Rob Millman, steering committee chairperson, and Elaine Fisher of Ball State University’s Building Better Communities.

Each task group reported their short-term and long-term goals which were based on input from the community meeting held in March and provided a list of their group’s members. Some of the groups reported that they have already begun to achieve their short term goals.

Amy Motazedi, co-chair of the arts and culture task group, reported that ballroom dance lessons have been scheduled beginning Thursday, July 16, at W. R. Ewing. An arts and culture fund for Brownstown at the Jackson County Community Foundation has been established as well, she said. Other objectives include a concert series, scholarships for the summer art camp at Southern Indiana Center for the Arts and further community classes.

The first goal to be tackled by the community development task group is to initiate a community clean-up, reported Jerry Hounshel. The group intends to evaluate and promote Brownstown’s assets to encourage tourism and hold community meetings to discuss solutions to challenges such as school traffic, affordable day care and needed services.

The infrastructure task group is gathering information on possible bike paths and plans to work on objectives such as new sidewalks, storm sewer construction/replacement and upgrading of water utility services.

Karen Raymer reported that the education task force is working to expand the elementary school’s tutoring project to the middle and high schools, provide educational classes and cultural programs, promote secondary education and work toward obtaining a community center with rooms for community classes.

Terry Lyon-McCarthy reported that the recreation task group hopes to expand the city park, gather information and develop a comprehensive list of recreational resources, work with the chamber of commerce to improve the website and create a bank of volunteers to assist with local events. A long-term goal is to build formal biking and walking paths and build a community/sports center, he said.

The economic development task group, which consists of the chamber of commerce board of directors and other chamber members, reported their objectives to encourage business development and entrepreneurship, support existing local businesses and develop industry in and near Brownstown.

The group has made arrangements to participate in the JCIDC 2010 strategic planning process and to enhance communication between the chamber, JCIDC and the community. The chamber website is being expanded to include community information, entrepreneurship classes are being scheduled, business directories have been created and a campaign to encourage residents to shop in Brownstown is being planned.

The steering committee scheduled a meeting with Clerk-Treasurer Becky Fee this week to discuss funding. Each group was asked to flesh out their plans and give an update at the next meeting which has been scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 11 at 6:30 p.m. Anyone interested in participating in development of a vision for Brownstown may join one or more of the task groups. For updates on Brownstown development and a detailed list of task group members, go to the chamber website, www.brownstownchamber.org.