Bartholomew County to spend $110k annually for business marketing

Bartholomew County officials will take on a greater role in economic development, with changes to the structure of its agreement with the Greater Columbus Economic Development Corporation.

The county will be paying the non-profit redevelopment company $110,000 annually to market Bartholomew County and its opportunities for development. Yesterday, the county commissioners approved a five-year agreement with the corporation for its services marketing the county. The money will come from the county’s share of income taxes for economic development.

Previously, the county paid $7,500 for two seats on the board of the corporation.

County Commissioner Tony London said that will become even more important as the county makes infrastructure improvements in the Taylorsville and Edinburgh areas prompted by the Kings Hawaiian Bakery development there. He said that this will bring the county contributions to economic development efforts up to the same level of the city of Columbus.

Without that greater involvement on the county’s part, London likened it to landing a big fish, but deciding to quit buying bait.

Commissioners President Larry Kleinhenz has served on the board for years, but is stepping aside so that London can take the seat. Kleinhenz said that the board now needs London’s talent for promotions and marketing.

Map courtesy of Greater Columbus Economic Development Corporation.