Southern Indiana Business Report
JASPER – Two organizations focused on developing the Jasper downtown area have merged into one organization.
The city of Jasper announced Friday that Redevelop Old Jasper Action Coalition would merge with Heart of Jasper, the city’s Main Street organization.
Redevelop Old Jasper formed more than 20 years ago and converted the Patoka River front area properties into valuable assets that residents and visitors could enjoy. Dave Buehler and then Jasper Mayor Bill Schmitt leveraged ROJAC as an economic development change agent for the community., according to a press release from the city.
Many of the board members, all volunteers, of Redevelop Old Jasper had served since the beginning.
“And though their enthusiasm hadn’t waned, their energy levels had been
buffered by age and the pursuit of other life priorities,” read the release. “This type of economic development for the downtown area was vital for the long-term and a strategy to extend the value ROJAC provided wasn’t apparent.”
Jasper Planning and Development Director Darla Blazey and Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Nancy Eckerle, suggested looking into the formation of a Main Street Organization which focuses on the economic development in a community downtown. Heart of Jasper was created from that process.
Consideration of merging the two groups began three years ago. ROJAC members have been invited to participate in the Heart of Jasper organization committee structure with their talent and time and to support the ongoing development of the HOJ area through their financial contributions. All future meetings and project initiatives will be coming from the HOJ.
Heart of Jasper is a nonprofit organization that aims to create the best small-town experience for all in downtown Jasper. It hosts events, promotes local businesses, & transforms historic assets through creative programs and collaborative leadership.
Kate Schwenk is director of Heart of Jasper.
Past ROJAC projects
- Jasper Depot—2004
- Schaeffer Barn—2006
- Spirit of Jasper Train—2009
- Jasper City Mill—2009
- German American Boulevard—2013
- Labyrinth—2016
- River Centre—2020
- Thyen-Clark Cultural Center—2021
- Alexander Schoolhouse—2021
Heart of Jasper initiatives
- Host downtown events
- Small Business Development for new businesses.
- Actively promoted the filling of vacant buildings
- Business recruitment and growth
- 50/50 cost share administration of the Façade Improvement Programs.
- Love Your Community cleanup days
- Historic preservation
To learn more, visit heartofjasper.org.