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Gibson Co. planning for I-69 growth

By Nathan Ryder - bio | email | Twitter
Posted by Sarah Harlan - email

GIBSON CO., IN (WFIE) - Unincorporated areas throughout Gibson County could see some major expansion in the future as Interstate 69 rolls through, and county officials want input on that growth.  

Princeton and Oakland City already have their own comprehensive plans, but for the unincorporated areas throughout Gibson County, planning for future growth is a first.

Gibson County officials kicked off the first of two public open houses Wednesday night, giving people the opportunity to provide their input for the Gibson County comprehensive plan.

The plan is a result of a $50,000 grant provided to municipalities and counties along the future I-69 corridor.

"The state wanted all the entities located along the I-69 project to be ready for the impacts that I-69 will bring," Gibson Co. Commissioner Bob Townsend said.

Townsend said they will eventually see impacts from the new interstate and believe now is the time for the county to start working on a road map for area improvements and growth.

"Gibson County has never had a comprehensive plan I believe, so this is a first for Gibson County," Townsend said.

To start the process, surveys were sent to people living throughout Gibson County asking them what they think needs the most focus and improvement.

"Infrastructure is something that people were concerned about," Townsend said. "As always people want better roads, more railway overpasses, broadband access, better wastewater facilities and things like that."

While those were high priorities, people responding to the survey thought adding new single family homes, building a convention center with meeting space and constructing more hotels were low priorities.

Officials hope more Gibson County residents will get involved in planning for their future.

"You never know what idea may take root and blossom into some project that may actually become fulfilled," Townsend said. "If you don't bring your ideas out, they may never happen.

There will be one more open house on the comprehensive plan in early June.

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