Redevelopment commission approves declaratory resolution to create Westside Economic Development Area
Summary
Declaratory Resolution 002‑2025 was adopted to start the four‑step process for a Westside Economic Development Area west of Marion between Marion and Sweetser; staff confirmed the electronic map is the authoritative version and the matter will move to the county plan commission and board of commissioners for additional review.
The Grant County Redevelopment Commission voted on Dec. 1 to adopt Declaratory Resolution 002‑2025 to initiate the process of establishing the Westside Economic Development Area (EDA), which the resolution maps as just west of the city of Marion and between Marion and the town of Sweetser.
Dustin Meeks of Barnes & Thornburg described the resolution as the same "kickoff" device used for other EDAs: it establishes the EDA boundary, approves a coterminous allocation area for incremental property tax revenue and approves a broadly framed economic development plan intended to permit the county flexibility in identifying infrastructure projects. "This resolution provides a map for the Westside Economic Development Area," Meeks said. He reiterated that, if approved by subsequent bodies, the resolution will proceed through plan commission review, the board of commissioners and return for a public hearing before this redevelopment commission.
A commissioner asked whether the map shown at the meeting matched the electronic version; staff confirmed the electronic map is correct. Commissioner Lemming moved to accept Resolution 002‑2025; a second was recorded and the board voted aye. The motion carried.
Like Resolution 001‑2025 adopted earlier in the meeting, this action begins the statutory approval chain; it does not by itself approve spending or specific projects and will return to the redevelopment commission after county and plan commission review.
