Plymouth Redevelopment Commission Updated on expansive "One Marshall County" initiatives

During Tuesday evening's Plymouth Redevelopment Commission meeting, City Attorney Jeff Houin provided a comprehensive update on the ongoing efforts of One Marshall County (OMC), an organization the commission financially supported during its inception.

Evolving from the Marshall County Crossroads Stellar team, One Marshall County is a regional planning and community development initiative designed to unify local stakeholders. The board-guided organization focuses on driving economic growth and improving the quality of life across the county through housing, infrastructure, education, and business innovation.

Houin highlighted several key areas where OMC is currently making a significant impact, particularly on housing. The organization's Housing & Infrastructure Committee has taken on such a heavy workload that it recently divided into two separate committees.

The Housing Committee is working closely with a recently formed Community Development Corporation (CDC)—a non-profit entity designed to assist with property acquisition and the development of low-income housing throughout the county. The committee is currently analyzing recent housing studies to better understand each community's specific needs and identify properties best suited for development.

In Plymouth, Houin noted that the primary focus is on "infill development." This involves identifying existing parcels that are good candidates for rehabilitation or new construction and connecting with developers interested in small-scale projects. Houin emphasized that the need for additional housing spans the entire county, and OMC's assistance is tailored to help each community meet its goals.

Beyond housing, One Marshall County is taking an active role in establishing a countywide zoning committee. This collaborative group of zoning administrators from across Marshall County will coordinate efforts, share resources, and assist communities with specific projects and zoning concerns.

OMC is also leading regional efforts to secure Rural Healthcare Grants. The state is awarding between $5 million and $8 million annually for five years to regional groups for healthcare initiatives. Marshall County is part of a region that includes Jasper, Newton, Pulaski, Starke, Fulton, and a portion of Elkhart County. Houin shared that ONE Marshall County is actively assisting in the planning and selection process for specific projects that will benefit rural healthcare across this region.

Finally, Houin highlighted the work of OMC's Arts Committee, which has recently assisted with several county grant applications for Arts & Culture and blight remediation. Notably, One Marshall County is throwing its support behind the City of Plymouth’s application for an Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) grant to fund the much-anticipated Historic Firehouse renovation project.