Rising Sun, IN -- Six new art studios are joining the Rising Sun Pendleton Art Studio!Two will be celebrating their Grand Opening during the First Friday celebration on January 6, 2006.
Rising Sun Pottery... Debby Abrams, Cincinnati native, has left the corporate business world to open a new pottery studio in the Art Center. Debby began pottery as a hobby over 15 years ago. She has studied with several artists, including Merlene Schain of Schain Studios in Glendale and Joyce Clancy at the Cincinnati Pendleton Art Center. Debby's pottery is both hand-built and wheel-thrown, decorative and functional ... many pieces featuring unique hand-carved animals, roses, or angels.
Oscar River, also a Cincinnati native, left his corporate "day" job and has opened the River Gallery at the Art Center. Oscar has shown his photographic art in area shows over the past several years. He and his wife Judy moved to Rising Sun, and he now creates affordable art using the giclee process of high-quality pigment-based inks on fine art papers.
Free entertainment and refreshments will be provided to celebrate the First Friday of the New Year, and the Grand Openings of these two unique and exciting studios.
WHERE: Rising Sun Pendleton Art Studio at 201 Main Street in Rising Sun
WHEN: Friday, January 6, 2006, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
For more information, contact: Suzanne Sizer (513-324-7322)
December 28, 2005
December 16, 2005
Plan for ferry would link Rising Sun and Boone County
If everything goes without a hitch, a ferry could be operating between Rising Sun, Ind., and Boone County in about a year, according to one member of an Indiana group advocating the idea. The Rising Sun/Ohio County Port Authority presented a plan to Ohio County council members in Indiana late last month. Though the port authority said some funds are available through that organization, the lion's share of the $500,000 needed for the Ohio River ferry would have to come from the county, according to Port Authority member Bob Stutzman.
"It would be located below McVille in Boone County," Stutzman said. "We've tried for quite a while to do something like this over here because there are a lot of problems in getting through Lawrenceburg. It's just a bottleneck on (Route) 50 to get down the road to anywhere.
"So, we're talking $500,000 to get the approaches and the road and everything done. Then we have a riverboat pilot who is willing to run a ferry there. So it's a long ways from being done."
Stutzman said permits would be required from Kentucky, Indiana and the Army Corps of Engineers to change zoning and build roads for the project, which would run from a piece of farm land in McVille to East Belleview Lane in Rising Sun. He refused to divulge the name of the ferry operator.
The Grand Victoria Casino and Resort in Rising Sun would, of course, benefit from those traveling the shorter route between Kentucky and Indiana. Among them would be casino patrons from Ohio, who could take Interstate 275 to the Petersburg exit, then have a short drive to the ferry.
However, Stutzman said many Rising Sun residents are also strong supporters of the project because it will cut in half the time required for their frequent trips to Florence.
"From here to get to Florence is like about an hour now, but if you get across the river, it's just 14 miles to Florence," Stutzman said.
"To me it opens an avenue to people over here and people over there in Florence. We have no industry over here and our kids go over there to work, so to me it would open up things between both areas."
Stutzman said the port authority expects to hear the county's decision on the project in mid to late January. Then, if approved, permit applications can begin he said.
"It would be located below McVille in Boone County," Stutzman said. "We've tried for quite a while to do something like this over here because there are a lot of problems in getting through Lawrenceburg. It's just a bottleneck on (Route) 50 to get down the road to anywhere.
"So, we're talking $500,000 to get the approaches and the road and everything done. Then we have a riverboat pilot who is willing to run a ferry there. So it's a long ways from being done."
Stutzman said permits would be required from Kentucky, Indiana and the Army Corps of Engineers to change zoning and build roads for the project, which would run from a piece of farm land in McVille to East Belleview Lane in Rising Sun. He refused to divulge the name of the ferry operator.
The Grand Victoria Casino and Resort in Rising Sun would, of course, benefit from those traveling the shorter route between Kentucky and Indiana. Among them would be casino patrons from Ohio, who could take Interstate 275 to the Petersburg exit, then have a short drive to the ferry.
However, Stutzman said many Rising Sun residents are also strong supporters of the project because it will cut in half the time required for their frequent trips to Florence.
"From here to get to Florence is like about an hour now, but if you get across the river, it's just 14 miles to Florence," Stutzman said.
"To me it opens an avenue to people over here and people over there in Florence. We have no industry over here and our kids go over there to work, so to me it would open up things between both areas."
Stutzman said the port authority expects to hear the county's decision on the project in mid to late January. Then, if approved, permit applications can begin he said.
Ferry route could ease trip across state line
A proposed Ohio River ferry could bring more Indiana residents to Northern Kentucky shopping destinations and more Kentuckians to Rising Sun's riverboat casino. The year-round ferry would run from Ky. 18 in Boone County near McVille to a landing about a mile north of the Grand Victoria Casino. The boat would be able to hold about 10 to 12 cars, tour buses and even a tractor-trailer. Fares have not been set.
The $500,000 project is being proposed by the Rising Sun/Ohio County Port Authority and would be funded by Rising Sun, Ohio County and a foundation funded by the Grand Victoria Casino & Resort.
"We thought this would be a great idea, because we'd be real close to Florence and people could use it for shopping, doctors, hospitals and so on," said Gary Brett, president of the Port Authority. "There are a lot of people in Rising Sun who are employed over there. They would be thrilled to death for this to happen."
The ferry would cut the 45-minute-to-one-hour drive in half, said Brett. And it's a drive that's about to get longer because of construction on U.S. 50 and Ind. 56 in Lawrenceburg and Aurora. In addition to making it easier for Rising Sun's 2,400 residents to get to Northern Kentucky, the ferry also will make it easier for Northern Kentucky residents to get to Grand Victoria.
Turfway Park president Bob Elliston, who is among those pushing for legalized casinos in Kentucky, said he is "not at all surprised that Indiana is making it easier for Kentuckians to come to Indiana to gamble." Elliston is a board member of the Kentucky Equine Education Project, which is leading the effort for casinos at the states' racetracks. The group recently launched a campaign of billboards that screamed "Indiana Sucks" an eye-catching way of making its point that Kentuckians spend $600 million year at Indiana casinos.
Ed Sullivan, executive director of the Rising Sun Regional Foundation, which is funded by an agreement between the city and casino, said the group's initial inquiries were met with the same skepticism.
"This is truly just a legitimate effort by the local officials. The casino is there, which we all acknowledge, but it's not the driving force," Sullivan said.
The landing site in Indiana would be on East Bellview Road, about a mile north of the casino.
"Honestly, I don't think it's going to have a big influence on the casino overall," said Daryl Paddock, director of sales for Grand Victoria. The casino is by far the city's biggest employer and benefactor, and has driven much of the city's other development since it opened nine years ago.
Paddock added that there is an opportunity for tour bus operators who make up a good portion of the casino's business to take advantage of the ferry.
In addition to bypassing the traffic around Lawrenceburg - where the area's biggest casino, Argosy, is based - the ferry adds novelty to the trip on the tour buses.
The city of Rising Sun and Ohio County are each being asked to contribute $200,000. The governments are expected to vote next month. The foundation also has been asked to give $100,000.
In addition to the funding, the project would also need approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
On the Kentucky side, the landing site, which is proposed on Ky. 18 between McVille and Rabbit Hash, would have to be approved by Boone County Planning Commission. The site would need a change from an agriculture zone to recreation zone with a conditional-use permit, said Kevin Costello, executive director of the Boone County Planning Commission.
The landing site on the Kentucky sidealso could have a park and a boat ramp.
"We think that would really be a win-win," Sullivan said.
The $500,000 project is being proposed by the Rising Sun/Ohio County Port Authority and would be funded by Rising Sun, Ohio County and a foundation funded by the Grand Victoria Casino & Resort.
"We thought this would be a great idea, because we'd be real close to Florence and people could use it for shopping, doctors, hospitals and so on," said Gary Brett, president of the Port Authority. "There are a lot of people in Rising Sun who are employed over there. They would be thrilled to death for this to happen."
The ferry would cut the 45-minute-to-one-hour drive in half, said Brett. And it's a drive that's about to get longer because of construction on U.S. 50 and Ind. 56 in Lawrenceburg and Aurora. In addition to making it easier for Rising Sun's 2,400 residents to get to Northern Kentucky, the ferry also will make it easier for Northern Kentucky residents to get to Grand Victoria.
Turfway Park president Bob Elliston, who is among those pushing for legalized casinos in Kentucky, said he is "not at all surprised that Indiana is making it easier for Kentuckians to come to Indiana to gamble." Elliston is a board member of the Kentucky Equine Education Project, which is leading the effort for casinos at the states' racetracks. The group recently launched a campaign of billboards that screamed "Indiana Sucks" an eye-catching way of making its point that Kentuckians spend $600 million year at Indiana casinos.
Ed Sullivan, executive director of the Rising Sun Regional Foundation, which is funded by an agreement between the city and casino, said the group's initial inquiries were met with the same skepticism.
"This is truly just a legitimate effort by the local officials. The casino is there, which we all acknowledge, but it's not the driving force," Sullivan said.
The landing site in Indiana would be on East Bellview Road, about a mile north of the casino.
"Honestly, I don't think it's going to have a big influence on the casino overall," said Daryl Paddock, director of sales for Grand Victoria. The casino is by far the city's biggest employer and benefactor, and has driven much of the city's other development since it opened nine years ago.
Paddock added that there is an opportunity for tour bus operators who make up a good portion of the casino's business to take advantage of the ferry.
In addition to bypassing the traffic around Lawrenceburg - where the area's biggest casino, Argosy, is based - the ferry adds novelty to the trip on the tour buses.
The city of Rising Sun and Ohio County are each being asked to contribute $200,000. The governments are expected to vote next month. The foundation also has been asked to give $100,000.
In addition to the funding, the project would also need approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
On the Kentucky side, the landing site, which is proposed on Ky. 18 between McVille and Rabbit Hash, would have to be approved by Boone County Planning Commission. The site would need a change from an agriculture zone to recreation zone with a conditional-use permit, said Kevin Costello, executive director of the Boone County Planning Commission.
The landing site on the Kentucky sidealso could have a park and a boat ramp.
"We think that would really be a win-win," Sullivan said.
December 11, 2005
Housing Growth SE Indiana
The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the Fischer Group plans to build 105 homes in a small town about 10 miles northwest of Lawrenceburg.
The project, Harvest Ridge, will be built by Maplestreet Homes at a location just off Dog Ridge Road in St. Leon in Dearborn County. It will be the first single-family development in Indiana for Crestview Hills-based Fischer.
The subdivision is expected to be the first of several new housing developments for the Fischer in Southeast Indiana during the next three to five years, said Kevin Wilzbach, the company's marketing manager.
Though it would be Fischer's first single-family development in Indiana, it's the second residential project Fischer has announced since spring. In March, the homebuilder said it would build 269 condos along U.S. 50 and Indiana 48 in Lawrenceburg - its first condo development in the city.
"We're looking at new development in Southeastern Indiana because of the growing population associated with the exploding gaming and entertainment industry in that area," Wilzbach said.
He said homes at Harvest Ridge would be geared toward younger couples that visit or work at gaming and entertainment complexes, and young families in Southwest Ohio who want to live in a more secluded development with close proximity to Greater Cincinnati.
The homes will run from about $140,000 to $180,000 and range from 1,200 to 2,500 square feet. They will also be marketed to first-time buyers and homeowners looking to buy their first newly built home. Wilzbach said the development would include sidewalks and a playground for children.
The Dearborn County Plan Commission has approved preliminary plans for the development, and final approval for the project is expected to come by early next year.
Maplestreet Homes hopes to begin construction at Harvest Ridge in March and complete the project by 2010.
The project, Harvest Ridge, will be built by Maplestreet Homes at a location just off Dog Ridge Road in St. Leon in Dearborn County. It will be the first single-family development in Indiana for Crestview Hills-based Fischer.
The subdivision is expected to be the first of several new housing developments for the Fischer in Southeast Indiana during the next three to five years, said Kevin Wilzbach, the company's marketing manager.
Though it would be Fischer's first single-family development in Indiana, it's the second residential project Fischer has announced since spring. In March, the homebuilder said it would build 269 condos along U.S. 50 and Indiana 48 in Lawrenceburg - its first condo development in the city.
"We're looking at new development in Southeastern Indiana because of the growing population associated with the exploding gaming and entertainment industry in that area," Wilzbach said.
He said homes at Harvest Ridge would be geared toward younger couples that visit or work at gaming and entertainment complexes, and young families in Southwest Ohio who want to live in a more secluded development with close proximity to Greater Cincinnati.
The homes will run from about $140,000 to $180,000 and range from 1,200 to 2,500 square feet. They will also be marketed to first-time buyers and homeowners looking to buy their first newly built home. Wilzbach said the development would include sidewalks and a playground for children.
The Dearborn County Plan Commission has approved preliminary plans for the development, and final approval for the project is expected to come by early next year.
Maplestreet Homes hopes to begin construction at Harvest Ridge in March and complete the project by 2010.
December 7, 2005
Ball State Economists Predict Better 2006
MUNCIE -- A couple of Ball State University economists -- and the decade-old BSU Business Forecasting Roundtable that the academics launched -- are leery about the continuing trade deficit, low savings among Americans, the much-anticipated home-building bust, and costs to rebuild after this year's natural disasters.
Despite those concerns, Pat Barkey, Gary Santoni and roundtable members Tuesday predicted economic growth for the state and the nation in 2006, based on momentum from 2005.
Manufacturing output has rebounded nationwide in the past two years from post-recession lows posted during the first three years of the new century, according to Barkey, director of economic and policy studies at BSU's Miller College of Business.
Indiana has suffered as much as any state, but it and Kentucky have scrambled back to match employment levels from five years ago -- something Midwest neighbors Illinois, Ohio and Michigan have failed to achieve.
"Prospects look good, and the forecast for our business calls for another good year," said Ken Briner, senior vice president at Muncie Power Products, after the economists' presentation. "Manufacturing in the state may be shrinking, but it is not going away."
Santoni, a professor of economics before last year's retirement, predicted the nation's gross domestic product would grow by about 3.8 percent for 2005, compared to a 3.4-percent growth rate over the past 45 years.
For 2006, the roundtable predicted 3.6-percent growth in GDP.
The group expected inflation to run about 3 percent, same as this year -- compared to a 45-year average of 3.8 percent.
And roundtable members expected 5.2-percent unemployment, near 2005 levels of 5.1 percent -- both below the 45-year average of 5.9 percent.
However, yields on 10-year Treasury bonds will average near 4.3 percent in 2005, and the forecasters predicted 4.6 percent for 2005 -- both way below a 45-year average of 7.1 percent.
Unlike Indiana, the nation has had four straight years of continuous economic growth -- but the state is catching up.
"Since the low point of mid-2003, manufacturing employment statewide has stabilized and even managed to grow a bit," Barkey said. But he expects the nation's industrial boom to slacken in 2006, and that is his top concern.
Neither Santoni nor Barkey are overly concerned about the country's negative balance of trade -- as long as foreign countries continue to invest in the U.S. economy. Santoni noted that the worth of the U.S. dollar is increasing worldwide.
Energy prices inflated by hurricane damage have affected his business, said roundtable chairman John Littler, an owner of Littler Diecast. And members of the North American Diecast Association have plummeted from 800 to 520 in the past decade. But Littler, too, is expecting a good year after experiencing a good year in 2005.
Despite those concerns, Pat Barkey, Gary Santoni and roundtable members Tuesday predicted economic growth for the state and the nation in 2006, based on momentum from 2005.
Manufacturing output has rebounded nationwide in the past two years from post-recession lows posted during the first three years of the new century, according to Barkey, director of economic and policy studies at BSU's Miller College of Business.
Indiana has suffered as much as any state, but it and Kentucky have scrambled back to match employment levels from five years ago -- something Midwest neighbors Illinois, Ohio and Michigan have failed to achieve.
"Prospects look good, and the forecast for our business calls for another good year," said Ken Briner, senior vice president at Muncie Power Products, after the economists' presentation. "Manufacturing in the state may be shrinking, but it is not going away."
Santoni, a professor of economics before last year's retirement, predicted the nation's gross domestic product would grow by about 3.8 percent for 2005, compared to a 3.4-percent growth rate over the past 45 years.
For 2006, the roundtable predicted 3.6-percent growth in GDP.
The group expected inflation to run about 3 percent, same as this year -- compared to a 45-year average of 3.8 percent.
And roundtable members expected 5.2-percent unemployment, near 2005 levels of 5.1 percent -- both below the 45-year average of 5.9 percent.
However, yields on 10-year Treasury bonds will average near 4.3 percent in 2005, and the forecasters predicted 4.6 percent for 2005 -- both way below a 45-year average of 7.1 percent.
Unlike Indiana, the nation has had four straight years of continuous economic growth -- but the state is catching up.
"Since the low point of mid-2003, manufacturing employment statewide has stabilized and even managed to grow a bit," Barkey said. But he expects the nation's industrial boom to slacken in 2006, and that is his top concern.
Neither Santoni nor Barkey are overly concerned about the country's negative balance of trade -- as long as foreign countries continue to invest in the U.S. economy. Santoni noted that the worth of the U.S. dollar is increasing worldwide.
Energy prices inflated by hurricane damage have affected his business, said roundtable chairman John Littler, an owner of Littler Diecast. And members of the North American Diecast Association have plummeted from 800 to 520 in the past decade. But Littler, too, is expecting a good year after experiencing a good year in 2005.
December 1, 2005
General Meeting of Chamber of Commerce 12/6/05
Tentative Agenda
CALL TO ORDER
MINUTES
OLD BUSINESS
Review Outline from last meeting - additions/deletions
Identify Key Points for folow-up
Who is responsible for follow-up? Funding, staff?
NEW BUSINESS
Carl Smith - Riverdays update
Blue/White space presentation on signage.
New marketing and communications strategies to get out the word about Rising Sun and Ohio County as a great place to live, work or play.
DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE FUTURE TARGETED PROGRAM TOPICS
Defining Downtown Retailing through the Customer Es. Looking at downtown revitalization through the eyes of the customer: focusing on the customer's attitude and priorities regarding Economy, Efficiency, Ego, and Experience.
The Downtown Experience: How Its Evolving Instead of looking at downtown revitalization as creating new buildings or physical areas, downtown professionals should focus on the experience that various downtown users have. Structuring the experience so that it is memorable and unique is the way to win an increased number of visitors.
The Economic Power of Arts Districts A new study demonstrates how arts related development impacts the area around that development. Benefits include economic and social changes within the target area. The challenge for community development professionals is to maximize these positive impacts.
Branding Rising Sun What do you want people to say about your community? This presentation will help communities understand that branding is not just about developing a catchy phrase or fun design. It is about clearly identifying who you are trying to reach and what will make them notice you.
Redevelopment Commission - Who, What, When, Where, Why?
Economic Development Commission - Who, What, When, Where, Why?
ReVision Concept - Is is appropriate?
COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS
CALL TO ORDER
MINUTES
OLD BUSINESS
Review Outline from last meeting - additions/deletions
Identify Key Points for folow-up
Who is responsible for follow-up? Funding, staff?
NEW BUSINESS
Carl Smith - Riverdays update
Blue/White space presentation on signage.
New marketing and communications strategies to get out the word about Rising Sun and Ohio County as a great place to live, work or play.
DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE FUTURE TARGETED PROGRAM TOPICS
Defining Downtown Retailing through the Customer Es. Looking at downtown revitalization through the eyes of the customer: focusing on the customer's attitude and priorities regarding Economy, Efficiency, Ego, and Experience.
The Downtown Experience: How Its Evolving Instead of looking at downtown revitalization as creating new buildings or physical areas, downtown professionals should focus on the experience that various downtown users have. Structuring the experience so that it is memorable and unique is the way to win an increased number of visitors.
The Economic Power of Arts Districts A new study demonstrates how arts related development impacts the area around that development. Benefits include economic and social changes within the target area. The challenge for community development professionals is to maximize these positive impacts.
Branding Rising Sun What do you want people to say about your community? This presentation will help communities understand that branding is not just about developing a catchy phrase or fun design. It is about clearly identifying who you are trying to reach and what will make them notice you.
Redevelopment Commission - Who, What, When, Where, Why?
Economic Development Commission - Who, What, When, Where, Why?
ReVision Concept - Is is appropriate?
COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS
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