“This is both good news and bad news, bad because Watonwan County is economically distressed, but good news because there exists federal government grants,” was the way Region Nine Community and Economic Development Director, Ronda Allis, described the designation to County Commissioners on January 19, 2010.
Allis gave a presentation of the economic situation in the county to commissioners pointing out that the designation is based primarily on the per capita income set in a study conducted by the University of Indiana for the federal government.
Commissioners appeared somber as they heard Allis explain the county ranks in the bottom one third of counties nationwide and is one of only 4 counties in Region Nine based on unemployment (7.64 percent), per capita income, and population decline (10.7 percent in the last decade). “I am available to help you apply for federal grants where economic opportunities exist,” said Allis. “Opportunities such as infra-structure, wastewater treatment and potential industrial park developments,” explained Allis.
Read more in the Jan. 21 Plaindealer.
st. james plaindealer —
