Shelia Gardner comments on MCEDC, low income housing

Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at 3:00 AM

By Kathy Bottorff

Marshall County taxpayer Shelia Gardner of the 10,000 block of Nutmeg Road in Plymouth addressed the Marshall County Commissioners during their Monday morning meeting. The public comments at the beginning of the meeting are about agenda items, and Gardner wanted to speak about the Marshall County Economic Development Commission.

Gardner said the last time a representative of MCEDC spoke to the commissioners, they said that “about” 70% of the households in Culver's utility bills are from outside the area. She told the commissioners, when she repeated that information, she was corrected by someone from Culver who knows the correct number, which is 66%.

Gardner said, “I understand that’s close, but it’s sloppy.” She said if someone wants money, that close isn’t good enough; it needs to be exact.

Gardner commented that Economic Development is “extremely important,” especially for bringing in successful jobs. She also commented that she is pleased that Governor Braun has replaced members of the State Economic Development board with successful CEOs of companies.

Mrs. Gardner, they brought up the need for low-income housing and said, “It’s not my tax dollars that should provide for it.” She went on to say, “I think we should inspire success. I would like to see successful people be brought to the area.”