PROGRAM:

LIZ SOLBERG introduced Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski, who gave us a fast update on city projects. Tony Roswarski Using $23 Million from state and federal funds, Sagamore Parkway will be improved from Tate & Lyle to the Mall. The Riehle Plaza improvement project will begin soon. An extensive mechanical upgrade for Long Center will cost $2 Million. The Matchbox co-working studio is a great success. 18th Street will be widened to four lanes and the State will rebuild Teal Road from the Mall to the Elston area.

We saw a video by Jack Klink (using photos from a drone!) to explain how TIF Districts (Tax Increment Financing) allows businesses to have the infrastructure and workforce needed. Several municipal officials, business executives and educational institutional administrators were interviewed to explain how it works and the benefits to the whole community. They all emphasized that this community’s entities work together to bring businesses to our area.

Mayor Roswarski says the greatest challenges are engaging young people and increasing the skilled workforce.

THANKS TO THOSE WHO HELP WITH
MEETING FUNCTIONS:

Money Collectors: GUS GUSTAFSON and SONYA MARGERUM;  Greeters: SALLY SIEGRIST and CAROL GALBRAITH;  Invocation:  JIM KLUSMAN; Piano:  BOB GRIFFITHS;  Song Leaders:  ARVID OLSON.  50/50  Raffle:  DICK PEYTON.   Help with attendance and facilitating a smooth meeting:  TOM MORAN and JANE SMITH.  Webmaster:  LARRY HUGGINS


JO'S WISDOM:
Positive

JANE'S CORNER:
You may be confused by the various fund raising efforts mentioned in the past couple of weeks. After a couple of years of no International Projects, we have two in the works. CAROLINE BRIGGS and the Pub Club group are working on a burn unit in LaPaz. The dinner at Maza is to raise funds for that project. JACK KELLEY is working with Purdue Engineering students on a water project in the Dominican Republic. In order to receive matching funds from RI, we need to have $7,500 in the bank before they will consider our project.

The Monte Carlo Night raises funds for our local projects, i.e., Backpack, Scholarships, PALS, RYLA, Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE), and camperships. All of these projects need your support and the fund-raising is designed to incorporate an element of fun while we’re at it.

Proceeds from Valentine Toffee sales are used for local projects and the matching grant with the Community Foundation increases our foundation’s endowment. If you have questions about any of this, please ask any of the people involved or me.