Latest news with #RJLSolutions
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Elkhart dam will not receive additional advocacy funding
GOSHEN — The Elkhart County Council on Thursday voted against additional funds that would support measures to preserve the Elkhart dam. Elkhart County Commissioner Susie Weirick told the council that RJL Solutions, an advocacy and lobbyist group out of Terre Haute, was working with the county to advocate for the protection of the dam as the licensure is up for renewal in 2025 and federal operating license is set to expire in 2030. 'We needed some assistance in lobbying and advocating for the Elkhart dam and it's retention and relicensure,' she explained. The current owner of the dam, AEP, has since made a public announcement to make 'permanent repairs' to stabilize the dam. Weirick said they will drive piles into the riverbed to stabilize the dam. 'They cannot announce yet that they will keep this in their plan but we are very hopeful and we are anxiously awaiting some situations outside of Indiana to find out what that is, and when they do announce it, we have a lot of support from them. So we're expecting them to move along positively,' she said. So far, commissioners have funded RJL with about $36,000 toward advocacy for the dam and they requested from the council from the General Fund an additional $16,000 as they begin discussions with Indiana's Secretary of Energy and Natural Resources and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. 'The current goal is to hope that the federal regulation commission will support the application for more than the minimum — the minimum is 10 years,' Weirick said. 'It would be a great goal to have them extend the permit for up to 50, although that's unrealistic. We will be needing to advocate for that. We will also need to advocate with the Indiana [Utility] Regulatory Commission on their timelines as well as all the regulations that go around repairing the structure, the utility powerhouse and the area around the dam.' Weirick said the process is cumbersome and having the support of RJL Solutions in Indianapolis would be of great benefit. Councilman Doug Graham said he believed the advocacy group was originally engaged to convince AEP to tackle the project, with the agreement ending back in June. When asked how they help, Weirick said they've answered questions, helped prevent legislation to protect commissioners from broad removal without due process, advocate for the wheel tax and worked against SB 1. Weirick said she's also been told there is environmental pressure to remove the dam, but she doesn't know for sure. Councilman Graham also noted that the company was hired for the dam, but used for other things. Councilman Tom Stump said the council should support the appropriation because entities that are skilled in certain issues should handle those issues. Councilmen Doug Hess, Randy Yohn and Stump voted in favor of the appropriation, but Adam Bujalski, Steve Clark, Graham and Darryl Riegsecker voted against it, so the motion failed. OTHER BOARD ITEMS • The council also did not approve final design and bid documents to bid the Lily Greenway project from the C.R. 6 and C.R. 17 Improvement TIF. Elkhart County Redevelopment Director May Kratzer explained that the tax increment finance district captures $7.4 million per year and isn't expected to change much with the new tax laws related to SB1 so the money, $125,000 requested, wouldn't create a burden for the TIF. Still, the council did not approve the funding, less concerned about the immediate cost and more concerned about future maintenance costs. The property has been considered as a future county park, with a possible memorandum of understanding that the Osolo Township Trustee's Office would be responsible for maintaining the property. Councilman Clark said he's worried about what happens if the trustee's office becomes unable to maintain it financially due to tax decreases, as they are likely to see a much larger impact than the TIF district there will. The council seemed to mostly agree with Clark's concerns, with Clark, Riegsecker, Graham and Stump all voting against it and Bujalski, Hess and Yohn voting in favor. • The council reviewed and had hearings for five CF-1 forms compliances for local businesses to determine whether they should be held in compliance. Dynamic Metals and Furrion were both unanimously determined to be substantially compliant. Smoker Craft was determined substantially compliant as well but, it was not unanimous with Councilman Graham voting against it. Smoker Craft did not, in fact, meet their goals, however, it was noted and determined by the council's vote that it was due to factors beyond the company's control, namely current international relations with Canada. Steel Harbor and General RV Center were both unanimously deemed substantially not compliant. • Several appropriations for the IT Department were approved including funds to cover a gap with the county's Microsoft server license found through audit for $150,000 and funds to purchase shelf hardware for repairs rather than being charged a maintenance fee by CISCO at $75,000 • The Elkhart County Assessor's Office was approved funds to purchase, rather than lease, a copier for $17,000. • The council approved funds from an interlocal agreement with the city of Elkhart of a paving package on C.R. 6 between C.R. 9 and C.R. 11 for about $280,000. • The council approved $5,100 of donation from the commissioners for maintenance to the Parks & Recreation Department to cover the cost of part-time maintenance at Six Span Landing. • They also approved the annual contribution of $2,500 from the Elkhart County Historical Society for the department, which helps cover the cost of operations at the Elkhart County Historical Museum. • The council approved three items, totaling about $97,000, a supplemental fund that coincides with the initial grant setup for the fiscal year 2026 grant. It's the Juvenile Community Corrections Project Income Fund, correlating with the Juvenile Community Corrections Grant, supplementing salaries due to the grant no longer covering the total cost. Councilman Graham asked why the numbers should be approved, given the county's current policy that if the grant goes away the position goes away. Elkhart County Court Administrator Ross Maxwell said cost has to do with increasing pay scales and that grant used to cover payroll as well as some operational budget items which have also had to be moved to the project income budget. He said it's the first year they'd had to dip into the money to cover the costs. He also noted that it's not general fund money, but money garnered from fees from the department. • The Juvenile Detection Alternative Initiative Grant, totaling about $80,000 — an increase from last year, was also approved for the Elkhart County Judiciary. It contributes toward items like Teen Court at Bashor, some Boys & Girls Club programs, Lifeline programming, therapy dogs at the detention center and various ways to keep low-risk juveniles in the system engaged without being placed into the detention facility. • The health department requested approval of a grant that helps combat vaping and nicotine in the school systems. The council approved a grant for about $173,000 and another for $1,750 for staffing and programming from the Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Fund. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Clay County unveils its 'roadmap toward a thriving, sustainable future'
Clay County government and partners on Wednesday unveiled their community plan, which they call 'a bold and collaborative roadmap to guide the county toward a thriving, sustainable future.' The plan was developed through extensive community engagement and input from regional stakeholders. It was made possible through a planning grant from the Wabash Valley Community Foundation and created with input from people across the region. RJL Solutions assisted with the grant application and helped foster regional collaboration. The Clay County Community Plan centers on four pillars: infrastructure, economic development, health and wellness, and community identity, according to a news release. It lays out actionable strategies to address challenges such as aging infrastructure, limited healthcare access, and workforce shortages, while capitalizing on regional growth, tourism potential, and community pride. Said Clay County Commissioner Paul Sinders, 'This plan reflects the voices of our community and lays out a clear path to improve the quality of life for everyone who calls Clay County home. By addressing infrastructure, housing, and broadband access, we're not just planning for tomorrow—we're preparing for decades of growth.' Other speakers at the rollout event included Beth Tevlin of the Wabash Valley Community Foundation and Nick McCollum of the Clay County Chamber of Commerce. The plan is the result of months of research, dialogue, and strategic planning. For more information or to view the Clay County Community Plan, visit
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
RJL Solutions ranked 11th fastest-growing privately held company in Indiana
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)— RJL Solutions, a Terre Haute-born consulting firm, earned statewide recognition in the Indianapolis Business Journal. RJL Solutions was founded in 2017 and has grown into a statewide presence with offices in Indianapolis and a new one set to open in Evansville this summer. RJL Solutions landed the number 11 spot among 25 listed in the article. They said that this ranking reflects not only revenue growth but also its increasing impact as a trusted partner for the public and private sectors seeking bold ideas, strong execution, and measurable results. 'This recognition is personal,' said Rachel Leslie, CEO of RJL Solutions. 'It's a reflection of our team, our clients, and the trust this community gave us from the start. Every milestone we reach is built on that foundation.' RJL Solutions partners with organizations across the state in government relations, marketing and communications, economic development, grant strategy, and association management. Locally, RJL Solutions has supported key funding initiatives and business development efforts to leading communications for major community campaigns. 'We've never been interested in just checking boxes,' Leslie said. 'We're here to help organizations grow, adapt, and lead—and this recognition affirms that our approach delivers.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
2025 Remarkable Women Winner: Rachel Leslie
FARMERSBURG, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — A local leader who teaches, supports, and helps new leaders succeed is the 2025 Remarkable Woman of the year for the Wabash Valley. Every year, WTWO holds a Remarkable Women contest. Viewers are asked to nominate a remarkable woman they know. After receiving dozens of nominations, a panel of judges chose Rachel Leslie as the 2025 winner. 2025 Remarkable Women nominee: Erica Arnold Leslie is the founder of RJL Solutions. The company started with an office in Terre Haute and has grown to include offices in Indianapolis and Evansville. 'When she started putting all of these great young leaders around her, and they got excited, it just ballooned to what it is today,' said Rick Burger with Duke Energy. 2025 Remarkable Women nominee: Lauren Alexander Among the things Leslie's company does is help local governments and organizations make connections with state and federal lawmakers. It allows a community's wants and needs be known, and in return, those needs can hopefully be met. 'It's really nice to have a partner in everything we're working on, and that's what Rachael provides,' said President and CEO of the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce Kristin Craig. 2025 Remarkable Women nominee: Kim Cooper Besides helping communities and organizations achieve their goals, Leslie also helps her friends make their dreams come true. Susan Turner is the Director of the Terre Haute Children's Museum. Nearly a decade ago, she received the news that it would be very difficult for her and her husband to ever have a baby. 'I went to Rachel and I told her what the doctors had said and I said, I don't know how we're ever going to afford to adopt a baby because it's really expensive and she said, don't worry about the money, we'll figure it out,' explained Susan Turner. 2025 Remarkable Women nominee: Meredith Osburn Turner says Leslie held a fundraiser at her house. The $3,000 raised was seed money Turner and her husband needed to adopt Max. He became their son at four days old and that was more than 7 years ago. It was for all of these things and many others that Rachel Leslie was nominated as a Remarkable Woman. 'It's not something that you don't think is going to happen during your lifetime,' added Rachel Leslie. As the winner of WTWO's Remarkable Women contest, $1,000 will be donated to the charity of Leslie's choice. She will also be flown to Los Angeles, to be part of the National Remarkable Women's contest sponsored by Nexstar Broadcasting. The winner of the national contest gets $25,000 donated to a charity of her choice. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
