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Muncie and Delaware County Economic Plan Comes With Capital Campaign

By Stephanie Wiechmann, IPR News | Published on in Business, Economy, Local News
The five-year economic plan lays out six goals for area prosperity. (Photo: Stephanie Wiechmann)

Muncie’s economic development agency says it will need more than $4 million to achieve the goals set out in its next five-year strategic plan.  IPR’s Stephanie Wiechmann reports.

According to the Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance, the Muncie-area history of economic strategic plans began in 1983.  The newest, called “Vision 2021,” has similar goals to those previous – to make Muncie and Delaware County a strong area full of good jobs, neighborhoods, attractions, and education.

The proposal includes finding new Delaware County residents by attracting those who work here, but commute from elsewhere.  Jud Fisher is the plan committee’s co-chair.

“We talk a lot about housing stock and things like that need to be upgraded a bit in this community.  We lose a lot of workers to other communities that have the housing stock.”

The plan also calls for creating better local internet access, focusing on alternative energy to benefit existing and new businesses, and a commitment to public art and downtown development.

To help fund those efforts, Vision 2021 comes with a price tag and a capital campaign to raise funds – $4.25 million.  Again, Jud Fisher.

“This is the amount that was determined to be necessary to effectively operate the program.  The goals and objectives are clear.  We need direction and implementation of an economic development plan if we are going to continue the momentum within the community.”

Fisher says pledges of $1.75 million have already been made.