By Frank Phillips /DLC Media News

Expansion at the I-70/State Road 59 intersection is anticipated, including an additional hotel. But first, a larger sewer line needs to be laid beneath I-70 and larger pumps need to be installed in the lift station that moves sanitary waste.

Engineers and other experts will meet with city officials and the Clay County Redevelopment Commission on April 19th at 6 p.m. in the county courthouse to discuss possible future action.

An additional hotel will not only require more service but will add to tax revenue, Coffenberry said.

In other business:

• Coffenberry and Redevelopment Commissioner Lance Hoffman  met with school officials and local industry leaders recently to discuss how schools and industry can work together to provide more workers who will get good-paying jobs.

Coffenberry and Hoffman said industry would like to see schools offer “alternative career paths to college.”

School officials indicated they would like to offer those additional career paths but there is a lack of certified teachers.

More meetings are planned, including a Manufacturers Appreciation Day on April 27 at Great Dane’s plant in Brazil.

County Commissioner Paul Sinders said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Clay Community Schools Superintendent Jeffery Fritz, Brazil Mayor Brian Wyndham and other leaders have agreed to make presentations at the luncheon.

The first Manufacturers’ Appreciation Day was last year in Clay County.

“I think this one will be better,” said Redevelopment Commission President Tom Ames.

• Members of the Redevelopment Commission Amy Burke Adams, Vickie Mace, and Ames praised the new Indiana Powder Coatings plant near Great Dane. The building set empty for many years but is now has been cleaned up and is in operation colored powder coating for industry. Parts are treated with the powder coating instead of paint.

The next meeting of the Redevelopment Commission is set for 6 p.m., April 19th in the Clay County Courthouse.