New Castle's elected leaders have entered into a regional agreement they hope will improve the area's economic development.
The city council met Monday and unanimously voted to spend $10,000 to support the East Central Indiana Regional Planning District.
The board also passed Ordinance 3718 which allows for two-way traffic on a segment of B Avenue near 15th Street to accommodate the city's bike/pedestrian plan. The bike/pedestrian trail, which runs from the far north side of town to Riley Road, was named Rose City Trail. Signage designating as much will be placed in the near future and streets will be painted to increase awareness of the trail.
Council Vice President Jeff Hancock said ECI works with member counties to encourage a regional perspective on development and infrastructure. The organization also helps provide a vision for the future, provides technical support, assistance with grant writing, and has worked with the city to develop the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership Strategic Plan, he said.
"In joining other communities, it enhances our region and we've really focused on regional development," Mayor Greg York said. "Realistically, if we all ban together what's good for Muncie and Anderson is also good for New Castle and vice-versa. We're trying to compete with the rest of the world — not just New Castle, but our region — is trying to be more competitive."
Mayor York also presented a proclamation supporting awareness of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, a birth defect that results in the death of half the infants born with it, to Joan Tungate on behalf of her friends Ben and Megan Kramer of Richmond. The Kramers lost a son to CDH a year ago this month. The proclamation designates April 19 as CDH Awareness Day in the city of New Castle.
Council member Rex Peckinpaugh asked if repairs to Indiana Avenue near Memorial Drive will be forthcoming anytime soon. Mayor York explained that the potholes and broken pavement in the area will be fixed as soon as the heavy traffic associated with the construction of a new dollar store on the south side of Indiana Avenue has been completed.
A citizen shared a concern about a business on the corner of 21st and Broad Streets he said looks like a junk yard. The mayor said it would be checked for code compliance.
In a final matter, HOPE Initiative co-founder Cathy Hamilton invited the council, mayor, and anyone else interested to a meeting the organization is hosting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the New Castle-Henry County Public Library auditorium.
