Volume 1, Issue 12 - Free Edition, June 21, 2026

Tax Abatements Passed

Noelle Maxwell

Resolution 2026-13, extending two previous tax abatements for Valeo, was passed at the June 9 Greensburg City Council meeting. Valeo requested incentives on a project that would represent a $1.5 million investment with retention of 68 jobs and a $3.9 million collective salary. The Greensburg Tax Abatement Review committee recommended the council pass a three-year, phased-in abatement which would fall in line with guidelines set forth by Indiana Senate Bill 1. The abatement was approved as presented.

Main Street Greensburg Executive Director Allison Beck reviewed the organization’s annual report, noting that Main Street’s business recruitment plan is something they’ve “been implementing very successfully. Beck also shared that she’s proud there’s only a $10 difference between redeemed SNAP dollars, at $520 total for 2025, and redeemed Double Up dollars, at $520 total for 2025. Double Up is a program the state created which matches SNAP benefits spent at farmers markets – if, for example, a SNAP recipient spends $20 in benefits at the market, they receive an additional $20 in Double Up funds to spend on local fresh produce there. The option to use WIC at the Greensburg Farmers’ Market has also been reinstated.

Last year, Main Street Greensburg was officially granted Main Street America accreditation via the Indiana Main Street Program, a designation they’ve maintained in 2026.

Amy Borns, Greensburg Clerk-Treasurer, requested approval to appoint Julie Herbert and Julia Nobbe as back-ups to submit items to Gateway if she’s absent. This was approved. Borns also presented resolution 2026-12, a resolution to transfer funds the city has budgeted for the Park Road fund. The budgeted amount was chosen four years ago in 2022 and interest has been accruing in a money market account opened for the project. The fund transfer needs to be completed before the end of the year. Resolution 2026-12 was approved.

Resolution 2026-04, which would allow the city to install solar panels on the roof of city hall, pending funds, was approved. Mayor Joshua Marsh explained that he and Director of Public Projects Zach Wirrig had been working with the Administrative Resources Association, the city’s grant administrating firm, and are expecting to receive $200,000 in federal grant money once all steps are completed, to install solar panels at city hall. This would not be a matching funds grant and the $200,000 would cover the cost of panel installation. The panels will not have a battery back-up and would be production-consumption panels installed to reduce energy costs. The city expects to find out in August if they’ve received the grant and if it’s received, it must be spent by late 2027. Resolution 2026-04 was approved.

The next city council meeting will be Wednesday, July 8 at 6:30 PM at Greensburg City Hall, 314 W. Washington Street.

Pride Alliance Needs to Raise $2,000

Noelle Maxwell

Decatur County PRIDE Alliance is looking to raise $2,000 before October for the 2026 Decatur County PRIDEfest – if they don’t reach that goal, there will not be a pride festival this year and potentially no youth group in 2027. PRIDE’s youth group is covered through the end of 2026. “We don’t want to go backwards,” Tammi Bailey, PRIDE Alliance Treasurer and PRIDEfest President said, but unless these programs are funded she said the PRIDE Alliance “will cease to exist” next year.

The Decatur County PRIDE Alliance was formed in 2022 and is an all-volunteer 501c3 non-profit. Beyond hosting the county’s annual PRIDEfest and regular youth group meetings, “we are a bridge between the LGBTQ community and the bigger community at-large. We strive to be a positive community partner,” said Bailey. PRIDE donates to the Greensburg Decatur County Animal Shelter and the Greensburg Public Library, noted Bailey. The organization also runs a food donation box on North Carver Street and in the past has bought holiday gifts for families who couldn’t afford gifts, paid utility bills for those in need and purchased classroom supplies for area teachers. “We strive,” said Bailey “to be a positive community partner and help whenever we can. Even in the face of constant hate and death threats, we have tried to do good in Decatur County”

PRIDE has raised $750 as of June 17. Bailey noted the organization’s financial situation is “difficult due to the current political climate,” and that they’re not the only local LGBTQIA+ pride group experiencing financial hardships.  “Businesses are afraid to sponsor PRIDE related events,” expressed Bailey, “for fear of backlash from a very small but vocal minority of Americans. Small businesses,” she added, “are squeezed tight because of the hard times the American people are going through. So, finding funding is hard.” Any individuals or businesses interested in sponsoring the 2026 Decatur County PRIDEfest can contact the PRIDE Alliance via Facebook or text them at 765-570-2659. Any sponsor who donates over $100 will be called out on stage during PRIDEfest and have their name and/or logo appear on promotional materials. Decatur County PRIDE Alliance is a 501c3 and donations can be tax deductible. PRIDE is also running a candy and a jerky fundraiser – more details on those fundraisers can be found on the PRIDE Alliance’s Facebook page.

Decatur Independent Reader Survey Ongoing

Noelle Maxwell

Do you want a chance to win a $10 gift card to Dog-Eared Pages? Are you interested in telling us what information you need as a Decatur County resident? Then take our 2026 Reader Survey which is live until June 26, 2026! We have 20 responses as of June 21 and we'd love to reach 50 but would be content with even 30-40. Every response helps us better serve you - so far we've learned that our readers want to know what's going on in the city government and what our local arts and culture scene is up to. In a tie for third place, we have people who want to know more about the 2026 election (we're working on that, stay tuned over the coming months!) and where the newest local small businesses are.

We've learned that most of you like getting your news as articles and that it might be worth our while to try dabbling in video when we have something that suits that format. We're seeing that you'd love us to stick to that weekly format and we're going to try to stick to it! "Try" because if you've not noticed, we're a one-person show (hi, it's me, Noelle) and our one person is doing this plus a part-time job.

Our reader survey can be found here: https://app.formbricks.com/s/cmpmsmx7q0shks701sv8q76iw

There's still just under a week for everyone who hasn't taken it to do so. If you have taken it, share this with a friend!

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