Crawfordsville is bringing in a consultant to help create more housing in the city.
Fishers-based Envoy will assist in building a plan for attracting developers and seeing projects come to fruition, Mayor Todd Barton said Tuesday. The city is also awaiting approval for the formation of a community development corporation, a nonprofit organization that would help speed the projects along.
The steps come as the need for housing, which has long been an issue for the community as it seeks to grow the workforce and attract and retain young professionals, will only increase with the opening of the Tempur Sealy plant in the coming years.
In his monthly report to the Crawfordsville Redevelopment Commission on Tuesday, Barton said the strategies would help the city make progress in landing housing developments.
“A lot of moving pieces there right now but I think we’ve found a formula to move this forward,” he said, adding he hopes to see work on new housing start next spring.
Guided by Envoy’s recommendations, the city can turn to the community development corporation to help make the plan a reality. The corporation would not be a government entity but can secure land and sell off lots. Barton said the corporation’s board would consist of local business leaders.
Montgomery County had a total of 16,464 housing units in 2020, according to new census data. That’s down from 16,535 in the 2010 U.S. Census.
On other economic matters, Barton said officials were about to discuss with the city council how to spend the city’s portion of stimulus funding through the American Rescue Plan Act. The city received $3.2 million in direct funds and can apply for additional money through other sources.
More employers will participate in the upcoming job fair sponsored by the city and the Mayor’s County-wide Workforce Development Roundtable. The free event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 26 at the Montgomery County 4-H Building, 400 Parke Ave., Crawfordsville, and is open to the public.
A total 45 employers have signed up, said Cheryl Morphew, city and county economic development consultant. The registration period for companies ended Monday.
Participating companies include every manufacturer in the county along with a variety of retailers, banks, schools and law enforcement agencies.
The Montgomery County Early Childhood Coalition will provide information on early childhood education career opportunities and childcare options for working parents. The Crawfordsville Fire Department’s Paramedicine Program will offer free COVID-19 vaccines.
