Last Updated on January 17, 2018 by cassnetwork
The co-chairs of the Logansport Hometown Collaboration Initiative were named recipients of the Kathy Dingo Spirit of the City Award today at the annual State of the City/State of the County Luncheon.
Michelle Dials and Zach Szmara received awards at the sold-out luncheon sponsored by the Logansport/Cass County Chamber of Commerce. They were recognized for their work in co-chairing a collaborative and multicultural initiative program awarded to a handful of Indiana cities through state government. Their efforts coordinated discussions, a community meeting and ongoing work with economic development officials from Purdue University and Ball State University to identify community priorities. The group is working on a customized plan to identifying priorities for community progress.
Cass Sheriff Randy Pryor was recognized as the recipient of the Spirit of the County Award winner. The former Indiana State Police officer is completing his second term as sheriff.
Mayor Dave Kitchell declared the city’s state this year as “Poised for progress” based on several trends and indicators. One is the general fund, which has a balance 43 percent higher than it was two years ago. Construction topped $14 million for the second year in a row, up 35 percent from 2015. Unemployment remains below the state and national averages and businesses and industry have invested $85 million into projects the last two years, retaining more than 5,000 jobs. The city utilities is switching out streetlighting to LED and the Ball State Community Readiness Initiative has identified housing as the greatest upside potential in the city.
During his State of the City Address, he recognized an investor interested in leasing the Logansport/Cass County Memorial Center and five members of the Indiana Transportation Museum Board.
“This year marks the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, the reason the Memorial Center was built, and also the 100th anniversary of the museum’s steam engine that’s being restored,” Kitchell said. “It’s my challenge to them and to us to celebrate Veterans Day this year with that train restored and in Logansport and the Memorial Center open for a public event.”
The museum recently operated train excursions between Logansport and Kokomo, drawing 14,000 passengers.
SOURCE: News release from Logansport Mayor Dave Kitchell