Wednesday, January 13th, 2016
Celina denied grant
By William Kincaid
CELINA - Celina's bid for a $3 million grant to develop its park systems came to an end today with the announcement of 15 semifinalists in America's Best Communities competition.
"Certainly we are disappointed that we did not make it," mayor Jeff Hazel said this morning. "I still believe Celina is one of America's best communities. I think we have a great (park) plan moving forward."
Semifinalist winners announced today were Lake Havasu City, Ariz.; Charleston W.Va.; Statesboro, Ga; Valley County/Meadows Valley, Idaho; Chisago Lakes Area, Minn.; Huntington, W.Va.; Portsmouth; DeKalb, Ill.; Fort Dodge, Iowa; Darrington/Arlington, Wash.; Valparaiso, Ind.; Tualatin, Ore.; Wenatchee/East Wenatchee, Wash.; Madison, Ind.; and Angola/Fremont, Indiana.
The contest aims to stimulate economic revitalization in small towns and cities, and Celina officials believed they had a model plan in developing the Bryson Park District along Lake Shore Drive to enhance recreation, travel and tourism.
The linchpin of the future economic plan was recreation, tourism and travel, Jim Mustard of the Rotary Club had emphasized. The plan focused on developing the Bryson Park District, located at the sites of the former Mercelina Mobile Court and Versa Pak building, to spur communitywide economic development.
Celina bested two-thirds of the 147 applicants and was named a quarterfinalist in April. City officials and Celina Rotary Club members in June were presented checks totaling $65,000 for becoming a quarterfinalist. The money paid for an economic development consultant to complete a more detailed application for future rounds and a community revitalization plan.
That plan is a valuable tool in itself and will be used as Celina officials seek other funding to pursue park development, Hazel said this morning.
"We won't let this get us down. We've got energy and excitement," Hazel said. "It's still going to be a great family venue."
In June, Dick Hutchinson, general manager of Frontier Communications' Northwest Ohio division, presented a check for $35,000, while Celina Rotary President Jeff Wolters gave a $15,000 check as the club's contribution. Through the contest's Adopt-a-Community Program, Catapult Marketing - Frontier Communications' advertising's arm - partnered with Celina and also presented a check for $15,000. It provided Celina with marketing and public relations services throughout the contest.
America's Best Communities Competition, sponsored by Frontier Communications, DISH, CoBank and The Weather Channel, is a $10 million campaign, Hutchinson said.
The grant development and future operating team, according to Mustard, included Pam Buschur, Celina-Mercer County Area Chamber of Commerce director; Donna Grube, Auglaize/Mercer Counties Convention & Visitors Bureau director; Jared Ebbing, Mercer County Community Development director; Milt Miller, GLSM Restoration manager; and team leader/contact person J.R. Mustard, Celina Rotary Club Foundation Grants chairman. Hazel and safety-service director Tom Hitchcock, Mustard said, are resource/advisory members.
