是什么造就了一个高质量的居住地? Living within proximity to where you work? 自然资源和便利设施? 家庭? The answer for many of us is likely a combination of “all of the above” 和 more. 但不管我们想要什么, if there’s not enough housing available in a community, it limits opportunities 和 is certainly a barrier for attracting new people.
这就是为什么 Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO) is taking steps to help address housing challenges throughout the county.
Creating more housing has become increasingly more important to local economic development 和 community organizations because it supports population growth, 可持续性, 刺激当地经济,” said KEDCO Co-Interim Director Suzie Light. “仅从商业角度来看, data tells us that a lack of housing can lead to longer commute times, 更高的离职率, challenges with filling job openings.”
一起来解决问题
After a housing needs study commissioned by the 华沙市, 科修斯科山县, 科修斯科山县 Community Foundation (KCCF) 与 房屋资源中心, 显示市场潜力2,000+ additional housing units in 科修斯科山县, KEDCO was identified to create more market-rate 员工住房, with a key focus on proximity to employment centers.
KEDCO utilized the State’s Anchor Employer Workforce 住房 Demonstration Program through the Indiana 住房 和 Development Authority (IHCDA). The program is a public-private partnership that promotes the creation of 员工住房 in target communities throughout Indiana.
在IHCDA启动这个项目之后, KEDCO worked alongside leading employer Zimmer Biomet, to apply 和 participate as an Anchor Employer. With approval $1 million in funding from IHCDA to support 员工住房 in 科修斯科山县, Zimmer Biomet generously matched the funding with $1 million. KEDCO then established a revolving loan fund to help support development projects 和 gain some momentum with the initiative.
这个过程是什么样的?
KEDCO works with local units of government to identify potential sites 和 assesses key factors such as: soil conditions, 路访问, 可用的工具, 和雇主的距离. A local steering committee identifies a preferred location, 然后，KEDCO进行现场控制, manages a request-for-proposals (RFP) process to identify a developer 和 构建er for the property, serves as a point-of-contact for project, helping with communication 和 negotiation needed for local support required to move the project forward.
“By creating more housing in proximity to some of our largest employers, this can help reduce commute times for employees who currently live outside of the area while offering new employees more options 和 opportunities to live near work,” said KEDCO人才 Partner Jessica Hauck.
转型——一些正在进行的项目
KEDCO is working alongside 和 supporting the 华沙市 和 Rebar Development to rehabilitate 和 develop the former Gatke warehouse 和 factory site located along the “Argonne Corridor” connecting Warsaw 和 Winona Lake. The Gatke project will offer a unique mix of housing, 灵活的办公室/工作室选择, 商业空间. KEDCO also worked alongside the City to develop 和 distribute a request for proposal to developers for the 磨光工作 mixed-use project coming to the former Owen’s grocery store site in downtown Warsaw.
另一个例子包括new Eastfield细分 在米尔福德. Located on the northeast side of Milford off 1250 N, Eastfield will offer more than 50 single-family homes when construction is finished by Goshen-based 米勒兄弟建筑公司. Eastfield currently has two br和 new homes for sale, with a third home coming to market in the next month.
Another part of KEDCO’s role is stay connected with employers about housing availability.
“The more our employers 和 HR personnel know, 更好的, because they’re recruiting 和 hiring 和 having those conversations with current employees 和 potential hires about where they want to live 和 what they need,哈克说。.
Interested in getting involved with 员工住房? 电邮: info@sh-fyz.com or 574-306-4119. Stay up with events 和 happenings by connecting with KEDCO via 脸谱网, LinkedIn 和 Instagram @kosciuskoedc.
