Though some may consider the move controversial, the Austin Redevelopment Commission (ARC) is ready to move on a deal worth $500,000.

In return for all of those dollars, the ARC will take ownership of ten pieces of property around the U.S. Highway 31 South and the West Cherry Street areas of Austin. All of the land is currently owned by Tex Murphy of Scottsburg, a well-known figure around the Austin community. Murphy owns perhaps 50 properties in Austin. Mostly residential, the structures are rented out by Murphy.

According to statistics, the City of Austin is reported to have around 60% of its housing described as rental property. The main goal of the ARC is to support and encourage economic development. By purchasing the ten pieces of property from Murphy, ARC members hope to take a large step toward helping the community to grow economically.

The motion to purchase the properties was offered by ARC Vice President Janie Alexander. It was seconded by Chris Fugate, ARC board member and Austin Clerk-Treasurer-Elect. Like the other board members, Fugate is an Austin native. He felt no hesitancy in seconding Alexander's motion to spend $500,000 at the ARC's specially-called meeting on Friday afternoon, December 4.

“This job includes responsibility to this community. This (purchase) is something we have to do. We've talked about it in the past, and we know there's no reason to wait,” commented Fugate as he offered his second.

In opening the meeting that afternoon, ARC Chairman Richie Buchanan reminded all members – Fugate, Alexander, Councilman Nathan Campbell and Kelly Goodin – that the properties “...have long been on our 'hit list.' We now have the funds available to do this, and it is doable. Now's the time,” he said.

The ten includes:

• 3 East Main Street, ground on which once stood the community's oldest house. Murphy had the structure torn down several years ago, and it is now a parking lot at the southeast corner of U.S. Highway 31 South and East Main (State Road 256).

• The multi-office structure facing U.S. 31 South commonly known as the Shields Building or Kilburn Building. It is an early example of the more infamous strip mall and has housed professional offices for insurance agents, doctors, lawyers and dentists. A dentist, Dr. Max Middendorf, still practices there part-time. The rest of the building is vacant.

• Several properties behind the Shields Building, including a garage which sits on the smallest piece to be purchased and houses on that section of Cherry St. east of U.S. 31 and on a section of Church Street south of East Main St.

• One house at 93 South High Street and property north of that house.

• Property on the north side of West Cherry St. and east of the house at 93 South High St.

• Houses at 33 West Cherry, 51 West Cherry and 65 West Cherry. All of these structures show the wear and tear they have experienced over the years.

• An additional piece of adjoining property located at the back or south line of the West Cherry St. homes' back yards. It is occupied by a large pile of fill dirt created during the renovation of S.R. 256 West and is reported to contain rebar and chunks of asphalt and concrete as well as soil.

In discussing the purchase with economic development director Bill Sears, the ARC determined that there are two residential renters and Dr. Middendorf. They will be notified of the sale and the need to vacate the buildings. No tenants' rights will be assumed by the ARC.

The vote taken on the purchase was 4-0-1, member Campbell abstaining although voicing his strong support for the action.

The sale is expected to be completed within weeks.

“These ten parcels may not be worth $500,000, but we are in the position to promote for the greater good of this community. Yes, we're going to try to recoup some of that money, but we also want to clean them up and make some nice green space in Austin for the moment. Our first goal is to clean up the properties and tear down the buildings. Then we will address other issues,” stated Buchanan.

Two residents of West Cherry St. were present for the specially-called meeting. Kenny and Barbara Burns were anxious to know exactly what the ARC planned to do and when it planned to do it.

Barbara Burns said she hated to see the ARC spend such a large amount of money on the project. She also wondered why city officials hadn't forced Murphy “...to clean up some of those houses...” Still, the couple seemed pleased that the ARC was taking on the purchase and responsibility of getting the work done.

In other business conducted by the ARC, a contractor had offered a price of $9,430 to correct a sinkhole on North Dowling Drive. That project was previously approved for ARC funding. North Dowling Drive serves a truck stop.

Members also learned that one of the two new patrol cars being purchased by ARC has been received by the Austin Police Department. The second vehicle will arrive in January.

The ARC will not meet later this month as had previously been planned. A meeting date in January will be announced later.

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Keith Colbert is retiring for the second time in his professional career.

Colbert is the well-known face of the Greater Scott County Chamber of Commerce, having served as the organization's executive director since March, 1998, when he stepped into the role after the death of the Chamber's first director, Phil Martin.

Who knew he was going to stay so long in this second career? Certainly, Colbert had no idea that, upon retiring from being a successful executive with GE in Louisville after 30 years, he would be taking up a position promoting Scott County that he would not leave for 17 years.

And it's been a pretty exciting 17 years, as Colbert reflected on his years of being a leader in his adopted home community.

He began life in Trimble County, Ky., the son of tobacco farmers. He met his wife, the former Becky Judd, in the early 1960s when he was working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation at a cousin's party in New Albany.

They married, and he began working for GE at the Appliance Park, climbing that company's corporate ladder. They built a new home in Middletown, but, three years later in 1979, Becky's father, Dr. Marvin Judd, died suddenly. They sold their home and moved to Scott County, where they raised their three children and remained close to Becky's mother until her death.

Now, they enjoy being a part of the lives of their six grandchildren ages four to 16. “It's been wonderful to watch them grow,” nodded this fond grandfather.

As his retirement from GE grew closer, Colbert rather wondered what he'd do to keep busy. Well, the job of the Chamber was offered to him, and it's certainly filled the bill all these years.

“It's been so good to work with Scott County people, to get to know so many in the community who only want the best for the county,” Colbert related, adding, “and it's been a lot of fun, too!”

He's worked with six or seven Chamber presidents, each of whom brought new vision, and several administrative assistants. Carolyn Brown stayed with him ten of those years, a credit, he said, to “...her understanding of the role the Chamber plays, and her patience with me.”

Reflecting on programs and highlights, Colbert proudly advised that the Chamber's monthly newsletter has grown from a single page to 12 full color pages. Another growth of which he is proud is the Regional Business Expo. In 2012 when it first began, only 34 businesses participated from the four communities. In 2015, the Business Expo exploded with 108 booths, allowing companies and small businesses in Scott, Washington, Ripley, Jefferson and Jennings counties exposure to fellow businessmen and the public.

He has also encouraged more interaction with children and youth of Scott County. From its Character Counts! program that promotes positive traits to its Dollars and Sense which teaches teens entrepreneurial skills, the Chamber is attempting to prepare the younger portion of the population for the challenges each will face as they take their place in the community as adults.

Businesspeople have also stepped up to make things happen for the Chamber during Colbert's term. Roxanna Bixler organized the Chamber Challenge fund-raiser, which in 2014 brought in a record $13,888 to support the organization's efforts for children and youth.

Thanks to the Challenge's dollars, Colbert is an enthusiastic supporter of the annual Junior Achievement Biz Camp. For the past two years, the Chamber has been able to send 50 students to Biz Camp, an enclosed facility in Louisville where the kids literally operate their own town, operating businesses, electing officials and making day-to-day decisions which will affect their success.

“This is such a great experience for these youngsters. I've had parents tell me how it's made their children realize that, with an education, they can become owners of their own businesses or successfully work for a large company. It's a terrific feeling to know you've help open the world to young people,” he said.

The Chamber has also provided leadership and collaboration for establishment of the facility now known as the Nelson Spaulding Community Clearinghouse; published two volumes of the Millennium Edition of “Scott County: A Pictorial History”; and established a scholarship fund through the Scott County Community Foundation.

Currently, the Chamber has 318 members, not bad for a small county which has certainly faced many hard problems just in the past few years, both economically and socially.

Colbert feels gratitude toward Scott County, for taking him in and making him feel at home. “I'm leaving thankful I have met so many good people who have a desire to see this county get better,” he commented. He is hoping that the next executive director will get the same reception and experience the same willingness to work together as he has.

“We're going to have to look out for ourselves. We're sitting in a prime area for expansion coming from Clark County up here, and we must be prepared to welcome new people with new ideas while maintaining our 'small town' atmosphere of friendliness and cooperation,” advised Colbert.

He said he'll be glad to watch from the sidelines as new leaders emerge. “It's going to be an exciting time,” predicted Colbert.