Lawrence County to join other Indiana counties in local land bank project

Lawrence County will join Greene, Daviess and Martin counties as members of the Southern Indiana Development Commission’s land bank project, following a vote of approval from the county commissioners Tuesday. 

At a previous meeting, Greg Jones, executive director at SIDC, explained that the goal of the project is to rehabilitate and sell dilapidated properties in the counties that join the land bank, getting the properties ready to be sold so they can again be eligible for the collection of property taxes. 

Additionally, the project would allow developers and potential new homeowners to find properties, potentially adding housing to the area. 

Lawrence County will pay a $5,000 opt-in fee. Additional funding to start the project will come from Indiana Uplands, which has contributed $1.2 million, Jones said. 

In other business 

Commissioners approved the release of a request for proposal from Jeremy Elrod, of Morley Corporation, to seek companies interested in providing expanded broadband internet access throughout Lawrence County.  

The project will be paid for using American Rescue Plan Act funds previously dispersed to the county. According to Elrod, he communicates regularly with individuals from AT&T and Spectrum, who he believes will express interest. 

Lawrence County bridge 138, located on East Oolitic Road is expected to soon be closed for repairs until sometime in November, however no start date for the closure has been set, according to Highway Superintendent Brandi Webb. 

Valerie Luchauer, Lawrence County emergency management director, said first responders will be able to get around the bridge during construction, though it will delay response times.

Webb also told commissioners a crosswalk was recently painted on Stars Boulevard, between Bedford North Lawrence High School and the school’s soccer field and cross country course across the street.  

Sheriff Mike Branham would later tell commissioners that this crosswalk helps to alleviate safety concerns created by students crossing the street. 

Branham also provided an updated inmate count for the Lawrence County Jail. 

• 100 inmates, 56% capacity 
• 82 males 
• 18 females 
• Four Level 6 felons 
• Two Indiana Department of Correction holds 
• Zero parole holds 

Lawrence County Chief Public Defender Tim Sledd told commissioners he has been working with judges, the prosecutor's office and the sheriff to speed up cases and reduce the inmate count in the Lawrence County Jail.

Sledd also said his office recently concluded a move from their previous Mitchell Road location to a new home in the Courthouse Plaza.