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Taking Action on Economic Development
Benton Community Foundation has initiated several activities to spur
economic development including:
- Securing a grant from the Indiana Rural Development Council through April 2007 and matching local funding from the County and six incorporated towns to complete: first phase strategic plan, comprehensive land use plan, and updated zoning ordinances coherent with the new land use plan.
- Continuously convening elected officials and volunteer residents to resolve competitive confrontations as the County moves to county-wide initiatives.
- Securing a Community Development Action Grant through April 2007 and matching local public and private funding to establish a local economic development organization as an independent non-profit 501c6 organization, i.e., BC-LEDO.
- Recruiting an experienced economic development professional to establish BC-LEDO.
- Securing public and private pledges for continuation of funding for BC-LEDO post April 2007.
- Providing grant for feasibility study for ethanol production plant.
- Providing funding for county-wide industrial property inventory, newly sited at www.benton4biz.com.
- Providing funding for county-wide event calendar at www.benton4biz.com to promote cross-country participation and tourism to local events.
- Renovating two conjoined building in downtown Fowler into retail spaces and establishing leases for two expanded businesses owned by County residents.
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