Washington
“There is no such thing as positive economic development without first focusing on community development”, says Mayor Haag of Washington. This is a sentiment that undoubtedly runs deep within Washington, a community which has focused on multiple community based and community lead projects 
in recent years. The city boasts a major façade renovation project, a new downtown park that was funded by innovative and environmentaly friendly ways, new streetlights, and a renovated community pool. These efforts to develop a strong community will undoubtedly complement the promising economic progression of the future I-69 corridor construction near east side of Washington. With funding from OCRA and INDOT, Washington has been able to create an economic development strategy that will allow it to best utilize the opportunity presented by the I-69 extension. These exciting city progressions in tandem with the exceptional community support has lead OCRA to name the City of Washington as one of our featured communities.
Washington in Action
Acting as Washington’s Indiana Main Street organization, the Revitalization Committee of the Daviess County Chamber of Commerce has been working closely with the many downtown community projects, particularly the new streetlight project and the downtown park project. The new streetlight project has replaced 28 street lights to date, and nine more are slated for future installment. The downtown park project will transform a downtown lot rendered vacant by a fire into a beautiful, blooming, downtown park area. Focal points of the area will include a grand gazebo and a landscaping display sponsored by various area landscaping businesses. At the completion of the project, the Revitalization Committee will host a community wide contest to decide the official name of the park.
Creativity is an element of most projects in Washington, and the Revitalization Committee’s projects are no exception. They plan to host the “Wine and Cheese Tasting with Antique Cars, Art and Music” event in September to raise money for the general fund. Other fundraising projects involve partnering with local groups and businesses, including a co-hosted “Daviess County has Talent” program with local radio station Memories Radio WAMW.
Independent community groups and individuals have played an equally pivotal role in financing the community projects. “Recycling to Revitalization” is a two sided effort to clean up the city while turning in recyclables for their scrap worth in order to finance the downtown park project. Community members can turn in anything from aluminum to cell phone batteries that will contribute to the park fund. Likewise, the new streetlights downtown were primarily funded by small grants, donations, and sponsorships through the Revitalization and Street Light Committees of the Daviess County Chamber of Commerce. One example can be found in the Washington’s Arts and Flowers Garden Club fundraising effort for the Street Light and Park projects where they hosted a Garden Walk and Art Show. Another ongoing community venture is the Washington downtown façade renovation project, which is funded though a Real Estate Capitalization grant provided by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. Although the grant funds $100,000 of the total project expenses, building owners are required to put up a 50 percent match to participate in the program, making them significant financial backers in the project. Finally, the Washington community pool which was forced to close two years ago due to age and safety issues, was reopened this year through a barrage of community fundraising efforts that included everything from donations from local grain processors to children hosting lemonade stands. With many exciting community development projects in full swing, the City of Washington also continues to prepare for the major economic development prospects that will come with the construction of the I-69 corridor.
Prospects for the Future
In 2008, the City of Washington and Daviess County were granted a $100,000 dollar I-69 Community Planning Grant from OCRA and the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT). The plan includes a county wide land use strategy, and the City of Washington Comprehensive Plan that identifies the best approach to capitalize on economic opportunities I-69 has to offer, while also considering important factors like growth management, environmental conservation, and the ability to provide adequate utility services for new growth. Today, the city is in the process of deeper analysis of their electric, sewer, and water capabilities, while continuing the discussion on community needs and aspirations. With the capacity to offer over 1,000 new jobs to the area, the I-69 corridor is a promising development with major implications for the City of Washington.
A Bright Tomorrow
“Today, the City of Washington is experiencing more positive change than it has in years” believes the Executive Director of the Daviess County Chamber of Commerce Charlie Selby. By placing emphasis on seeking citizen participation, the area is able to cultivate a strengthened sense of community ownership and inclusion. This momentum coupled with the economic opportunity present in the development of the I-69 Corridor puts the City of Washington in a strong position for current and future successes.
Visit Washington at their website! http://www.washingtonin.us/
For more information about OCRA and Mitchell, please visit
http://www.in.gov/ocra/2452.htm and http://www.in.gov/ocra/2444.htm
