HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 05-16-22-02/Strategic Economic Development Plan for the Central Regional Development AuthoritySPONSOR(S): Councilors Finkam, Nelson, Worrell
RESOLUTION NO. CC 05-16-22-02
A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL,
INDIANA, ADOPTING A PRELIMINARY STRATEGIC ECONOMIC DEVELOMENT
PLAN FOR THE CENTRAL INDIANA REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
PURSUANT TO IC §36-7.7-1-1 et seq.
Synopsis: Adopts a preliminary strategic economic development plan for the Central
Indiana Regional Development Authority.
WHEREAS, on or around March 18, 2020, Governor Holcomb signed P.L.83-2020 (SEA
350) (the “Act”), which allows eligible political subdivisions located in the Indianapolis-Carmel-
Anderson Metropolitan Statistical Area to create the Central Indiana Regional Development
Authority (the “RDA”) and to carry out its powers as more particularly described in the Act;
WHEREAS, on ___________, the Common Council (“Council”) for the City of Carmel,
Indiana (“City”) adopted Ordinance No. D-2621-22, authorizing the City to become a member of
the RDA;
WHEREAS, in order to establish the RDA, the fiscal bodies of a combination of any two
(2) or more qualified counties or municipalities must adopt a preliminary strategic economic
development plan (the “Plan”) by substantially similar resolution;
WHEREAS, the Plan must include provisions and general information concerning (i) the
participating members of the RDA, (ii) the membership of the strategy committee, (iii) a timeline
for submitting the comprehensive development plan, as defined by the Act, and (iv) a strategy for
attracting (or any projected) investments, grants, matching funds, or local tax revenue; and
WHEREAS, finding that it is in the best interest of the citizens of Carmel, the Council
now desires to adopt the Plan as set forth in Exhibit A, which is attached hereto and incorporated
herein by this reference.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of
Carmel, Indiana, that:
Section 1. The foregoing Recitals are incorporated herein by this reference.
Section 2. The Council hereby approves the Plan as set forth in Exhibit A attached
hereto and incorporated herein.
Section 3. This Resolution shall be of full force and effect from and upon its adoption
and in accordance with Indiana law.
Resolution CC 05-16-22-02
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May 16, 2022
SPONSOR(S): Councilors Finkam, Nelson, Worrell
SO RESOLVED, by the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, this ____
day of ________, 2022, by a vote of _____ ayes and _____ nays.
COMMON COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF CARMEL
___________________________________
Kevin D. Rider, President Jeff Worrell, Vice-President
___________________________________ ____________________________________
Sue Finkam Laura Campbell
___________________________________ ____________________________________
H. Bruce Kimball Anthony Green
___________________________________ ___________________________________
Adam Aasen Tim Hannon
___________________________________
Miles Nelson
ATTEST:
__________________________________
Sue Wolfgang, Clerk
Presented by me to the Mayor of the City of Carmel, Indiana this ____ day of
_________________________ 2022, at _______ __.M.
____________________________________
Sue Wolfgang, Clerk
Approved by me, Mayor of the City of Carmel, Indiana, this _____ day of
________________________ 2022, at _______ __.M.
____________________________________
James Brainard, Mayor
ATTEST:
___________________________________
Sue Wolfgang, Clerk
Resolution CC 05-16-22-02
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EXHIBIT A
CENTRAL INDIANA REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
PRELIMINARY STRATEGIC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN
ARTICLE I
Name and Participating Members
The name of the development authority is the Central Indiana Regional Development
Authority (the “RDA”). The RDA may establish such acronyms or abbreviations as may be
appropriate for business use, and may establish logos, service marks, or trademarks as may be
appropriate to further its purposes, mission recognition and goals.
Subject to taking the enabling actions as provided in Ind. Code §36-7.7 et. seq. (the “Act”),
the participating members of the RDA may include any eligible political subdivision, described in
Ind. Code §36-7.7-2-7, that is located in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson Metropolitan
Statistical Area (as defined by the United States Census Bureau). It is anticipated that the initial
membership will include, without limitation, the following political subdivisions:
a) The City of Fishers;
b) The City of Noblesville;
c) The Consolidated City of Indianapolis;
d) The City of Westfield;
e) The City of Carmel;
f) The Town of Zionsville;
g) The Town of McCordsville; and
h) The City of Anderson
All participating members of the RDA are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Members”.
ARTICLE II
Purpose and Powers
Section 1. General Purpose. The RDA is a separate body corporate and politic that shall
carry out the purposes of the Act by: (i) acquiring, constructing, equipping, owning, and financing
projects and facilities to or for the benefit of eligible political subdivisions under this article; and
(ii) funding and developing: (A) airport authority projects; (B) commuter transportation district
and other rail projects and services; (C) regional transportation authority projects and services; (D)
economic development projects; (E) intermodal transportation projects; (F) regional trail or
greenway projects; (G) regional transportation infrastructure projects under IC 36-9-43; and (H)
any other capital infrastructure project that enhances the region with the goal of attracting people
or business; that are of regional importance.
Section 2. General Duties. The RDA shall do the following: (i) assist in the coordination
of local efforts concerning projects that are of regional importance; (ii) assist a county, a
municipality, a commuter transportation district, an airport authority, and a regional transportation
authority in coordinating regional transportation and economic development efforts; and (iii) fund
projects that are of regional importance, as provided in the Act.
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EXHIBIT A
Section 3. General Powers. The RDA may do any of the following: (i) finance, improve,
construct, reconstruct, renovate, purchase, acquire, and equip land and projects that are of regional
importance; (ii) finance and construct additional improvements to projects or other capital
improvements owned by the RDA; (iii) construct or reconstruct highways, roads, and bridges; (iv)
acquire land or all or a part of one (1) or more projects from an eligible political subdivision by
purchase; (v) acquire all or a part of one (1) or more projects from an eligible political subdivision
by purchase to fund or refund indebtedness incurred on account of the projects to enable the
eligible political subdivision to make a savings in debt service obligations or lease rental
obligations or to obtain relief from covenants that the eligible political subdivision considers to be
unduly burdensome; (vi) make grants or provide other financial assistance to or on behalf of the
following: (A) a commuter transportation district, (B) an airport authority, (C) a regional
transportation authority. A loan, a loan guarantee, a grant, or other financial assistance under this
clause may be used by a regional transportation authority for acquiring, improving, operating,
maintaining, financing, and supporting the following: (x) bus services (including fixed route
services and flexible or demand-responsive services) that are a component of a public
transportation system, (y) bus terminals, stations, or facilities or other regional bus authority
projects, (D) a county, (E) a municipality; (vii) provide funding to assist a railroad that is providing
commuter transportation services in a county containing territory included in the RDA; (viii)
provide funding to assist an airport authority located in a county containing territory included in
the RDAin the construction, reconstruction, renovation, purchase, lease, acquisition, and
equipping of an airport facility or airport project; (ix) provide funding for intermodal transportation
projects and facilities; (x) provide funding for regional trails and greenways; (xi) provide funding
for economic development projects; (xii) provide funding for regional transportation infrastructure
projects under IC 36-9-43; (xiii) hold, use, lease, rent, purchase, acquire, and dispose of by
purchase, exchange, gift, bequest, grant, condemnation, lease, or sublease, on the terms and
conditions determined by the RDA, any real or personal property; (xiv) after giving notice, enter
upon any lots or lands for the purpose of surveying or examining them to determine the location
of a project; (xv) make or enter into all contracts and agreements necessary or incidental to the
performance of the RDA’sduties and the execution of the RDA’s powers under this article; (xvi)
sue, be sued, plead, and be impleaded; (xvii) design, order, contract for, construct, reconstruct, and
renovate a project or improvements to a project; (xviii) appoint an executive director and employ
appraisers, real estate experts, engineers, architects, surveyors, attorneys, accountants, auditors,
clerks, construction managers, and any consultants or employees who are necessary or desired by
the RDAin exercising its powers or carrying out its duties under this article; (xix) accept loans,
grants, and other forms of financial assistance from the federal government, the state government,
a political subdivision, or any other public or private source; (xx) use the RDA’s funds to match
federal grants or make loans, loan guarantees, or grants to carry out the RDA’s powers and duties
under this article; (xxi) except as prohibited by law, take any action necessary to carry out the Act.
Projects funded by the RDAmust be of regional importance.
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EXHIBIT A
ARTICLE III
The Strategy Committee
Section 1. Membership. The management and affairs of the RDA shall be vested in the
Strategy Committee (the “Committee”).
Section 2. Committee. The Committee shall consist of (i) the chief executive officer (or
their designee) of each political subdivision with a population of 7,500 people or greater (the
“Population Threshold”), and (ii) one (1) chief executive officer (or their designee) to collectively
represent all political subdivisions who do not meet or exceed the Population Threshold. Each
member of the committee, before entering upon the duties of office, must take and subscribe an
oath of office under Ind. Code §5-4-1, which shall be endorsed upon the certificate of appointment
and filed with the records of the Committee. A member of the committee is not entitled to receive
any compensation for performance of the member’s duties. The Committee structure shall be re-
evaluated every five (5) years. Service on the Strategy Committee does not constitute a “lucrative
office” pursuant to Article II, § 9 of the Indiana Constitution.
Section 3. Chair; Officers. In January of each year, the Committee shall hold an
organizational meeting at which the Committee shall elect the following officers from the members
of the Committee: (i) chair, (ii) vice chair, and (iii) secretary-treasurer. The affirmative vote of at
least a majority of the members of the Committee is necessary to elect an officer under this section.
An officer elected under this section serves from the date of the officer’s election until the officer’s
successor is elected and qualified.
Section 4. Ex Officio Officer. The Mayor of the Consolidated City of Indianapolis is an
ex officio officer of the Committee. This appointment is in addition to the committee appointment
described in Article III, Section 2.
Section 5. Meetings, Quorum, Affirmative Votes. The committee shall meet at least
quarterly. The chair of the Committee or any two (2) members of the committee may call a special
meeting of the Committee. A majority of the appointed members of the Committee constitutes a
quorum. The affirmative votes of at least a majority of the appointed members of the Committee
are necessary to authorize any action of the Committee.
Section 6. Bylaws. The Committee shall adopt the bylaws and rules that the Committee
considers necessary for the proper conduct of the Committee's duties and the safeguarding of the
RDA’s funds and property.
ARTICLE IV
Regional Strategy Fund
The Committee shall establish and administer a regional strategy fund (the “Fund”) that
consists of the following: (i) any payments required under an interlocal agreement for a project
that specifically states: (A) the amount for which each member is responsible; and (B) the term of
the agreement. The transfers allowed by this subdivision may be made from any local revenue of
the county or municipality, including property tax revenue, distributions, incentive payments,
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EXHIBIT A
money deposited in the county's or municipality's local major moves construction fund under IC
8-14-16, money received by the county or municipality under a development agreement (as
defined by IC 36-1-8-9.5), or any other local revenue that is not otherwise restricted by law or
committed for the payment of other obligations; (ii) money received from the federal government;
(iii) gifts, contributions, donations, and private grants made to the fund; and (iv) money transferred
to the RDA under an interlocal agreement.
The Committee shall designate a participating member to be the administrator of the Fund
at no cost to the RDA. The designated member shall only make disbursements pursuant to
instructions by the Committee.
ARTICLE V
Comprehensive Strategic Economic Development Plan
The RDA shall prepare a comprehensive strategic economic development plan
(“Comprehensive Plan”) to serve as a roadmap to diversify and strengthen the regional economy,
establish regional goals and objectives, develop and implement a regional action plan, identify
ways to eliminate duplicative government services within the region, and identify investment
priorities and funding sources, all in accordance with Ind. Code §36-7.7-3-4.
The RDA shall adopt the Comprehensive Plan by or before December 31, 2022.
ARTICLE VI
Strategy for Attracting Investments
To ensure Central Indiana is positioned to be a vital and dynamic commercial center and a
magnet for world-class talent and innovation, policymakers must promote and invest in strategies
that play to the region’s industry sector strengths while supporting groups adversely impacted by
the pandemic. This is an opportune time for new thinking as business, philanthropic and political
leaders refocus on creating jobs; developing and attracting a highly skilled workforce; and luring
residents and workers, to ensure the long-term success of Central Indiana.
As further established by the Comprehensive Plan, the RDA will focus on the following
strategies for attracting (or any projected) investments, grants, matching funds, or local tax
revenue:
• Key Sectors
o Health Care & Medical Technology - Establish more educational opportunities for
healthcare certifications and create career pathways for advanced medical degrees
o Software Development – Develop a targeted recruitment plan for tech talent; and
partner with regional stakeholders to identify key strategic advantages for the
region.
o Logistics & Manufacturing – Partner with higher education institutions to create a
roundtable for automation and robotics; create a rigorous training program in
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EXHIBIT A
automation and robotics field culminating in a certificate or credential; and
introduce robotics and automation into K-12 curriculum.
o Green Jobs – Create incentives for green energy in homes, schools, retail shops,
offices, and industrial facilities to support sustainability; and develop training and
credential programs for high-demand green jobs.
o Finance & Insurance – Launch an aggressive program to recruit more finance and
industry sector remote workers to the region.
• Talent
o Engage Learners Early On – Correlate skills with wages and opportunities;
encourage digital skills development; and expand the work and learn Indiana portal
to younger adults and promote it in Central Indiana high schools.
o Advocate for the Adult Learner – Increased access to childcare; and short-term
training options.
o Community Support – Establish a “choice employers” designation; and set
postsecondary benchmarks
• Quality of Place
o Green Space – implement recommendations from the White River Visioning Plan;
identifying future park locations and implement standards for new green spaces;
increase Walk Score by connecting broken sidewalk segments and expand and
connect trail infrastructure; expand and connect trail infrastructure; complete
housing studies for communities in the RDA; consider new policies for mixed-use
developments; and identify opportunities for senior housing projects.
• Societal Risk Factors
o Improved Access, Improved Health – Expand telehealth options from local
providers to increase medical care access and improve productivity; promote
healthy lifestyles through community campaigns; prioritize alternative
transportation plans; and implement SNAP benefits for use at farmers markets.
• Entrepreneurship
o Form Community Co-Working Networks – Establish co-working spaces and
mentorship networks within each participating member’s community; and
implement policies to support women, minorities, and veterans and their
entrepreneurial efforts.
o Build a Regional Marketing Presence for Entrepreneur Programs – Increase
regional visibility as a tech hub; attract an international venture capital conference
to the region; and establish targets for awarding public contracts to entrepreneurs
and small businesses within the region.
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EXHIBIT A
• Infrastructure
o Make Autonomous and Electric a Regional Advantage – Market the region to
facilitate autonomous vehicle investment; and support autonomous and electric
vehicle adoption through investments in new infrastructure.
o Roadways Receive Regular Upkeep – Develop a regional investment strategy for
roadways; and incentivize communities to collaborate on large infrastructure
projects.
o Broadband Access for All – 100% coverage of high-speed broadband service for
the entire region; build upon the Next Level Connections broadband program; and
co-locate broadband with new and existing infrastructure, including above-ground
infrastructure, and then codify a “dig once” policy within the region.
ARTICLE VII
Vacating Development Authority
A county or municipality shall be a member of the RDA for not less than five years (“Initial
Commitment”). After completing its Initial Commitment, a participating member may vacate the
RDA subject to (i) providing all Members with two year’s written notice of its intent to vacate,
and (ii) the fiscal body of the participating member must adopt an ordinance to vacate membership
in the RDA.
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