>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES MET THIS MORNING IN FORT WAYNE TO DISCUSS POSSIBLE CHANGES TO I.U.

'S EXPRESSIVE ACTIVITY POLICY.

THE POLICY BANS GATHERINGS ON CAMPUS AFTER 11 P.M., AND HAS REPEATEDLY BEEN DEFIED BY FACULTY AND STUDENTS HOLDING CANDLE LIGHT VIGILS.

>> LAWRENCE COUNTY, LIKE MOST OF THE COUNTIES IN INDIANA, IT'S A BIG SWATH OF LAND, AND THERE'S JUST NO TELLING HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE OUT THERE.

>> HOMELESSNESS IN RURAL AREAS OFTEN GOES OVERLOOKED.

I SPOKE WITH AGENCIES IN SOME OF THESE AREAS ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE DOING TO MEET DEMAND.

>> AND THE BROWN COUNTY MUSIC CENTER HAS FACED MANY CHALLENGES IN ITS FIVE-YEAR HISTORY, INCLUDING BEING TEMPORARILY CLOSED DURING COVID.

WE'LL HAVE THESE STORIES PLUS THE LATEST NEWS FROM ACROSS THE STATE RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK"!

♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

THE EXPRESSIVE ACTIVITY POLICY ADOPTED BY INDIANA UNIVERSITY IN JULY REMAINS CONTROVERSIAL ON CAMPUS.

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES SAYS THE POLICY PROTECTS CAMPUS SAFETY BUT I.U.

CONTINUES TO FACE CRITICISM FOR IT, ESPECIALLY THE POLICY'S CURFEW FOR EXPRESSIVE ACTIVITY.

THE POLICY STATES EXPRESSIVE ACTIVITY SUCH AS PROTESTS AND PEACEFUL GATHERINGS ARE BANNED BETWEEN 11 P.M. AND 6 A.M. TODAY, THE TRUSTEES AMENDED THE POLICY AT A SCHEDULED MEETING IN FORT WAYNE.

AUBREY WRIGHT IS HERE TO DISCUSS THESE AMENDMENTS.

HELLO, AUBREY.

>> HI, JOE.

>> SO WHAT'S CHANGING IN THE POLICY?

>> MM-HMM.

I SHOULD SAY THAT A LOT OF POLICY IS REMAINING UNCHANGED.

BUT TODAY, THE UPDATES ARE THAT BASICALLY, UNIVERSITY-APPROVED EVENTS AND SOME SCHEDULED EVENTS ARE ALLOWED.

SO PEOPLE WERE UP IN ARMS ABOUT PEOPLE DOING EXPRESSIVE ACTIVITY PREVIOUSLY THROUGHOUT THE SEMESTER, BUT, YOU KNOW, THEY WEREN'T TARGETED BY I.U.

SO THOSE EVENTS ARE NOW ALLOWED.

BUT I SHOULD SAY UNAPPROVED EVENTS, PROTESTS, MAKING SPEECHES, ALL OF THESE OTHER TYPES OF GATHERINGS ARE STILL BANNED FROM 11 P.M. TO 6 A.M. >> NOW, WE'VE COVERED THE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING THE POLICY.

WHAT'S BEEN THE COMMUNITY'S RESPONSE?

>> MM-HMM.

I THINK THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN OUT SAYING THAT THESE POLICIES ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

I'VE HEARD SOME PEOPLE GO SO FAR AS TO SAY UNAMERICAN.

OF THAT'S ON, YOU KNOW, THE FURTHER END, BUT WE'VE SEEN PROTESTS AT THE SAMPLE GATES PRETTY CONSISTENTLY.

THEY ARE INTENTIONALLY VIOLATING THE EXPRESSIVE ACTIVITY POLICY.

I THINK THAT I.U.

HAS CAUGHT SOME FLACK FROM INDIANA'S GOVERNMENT WHEN THEY WERE REQUESTING FUNDING.

I SHOULD SAY I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS THE MOST POPULAR POLICY THAT I.U.

HAS IMPLEMENTED.

>> YOU KNOW, WE KNOW THE TRUSTEES ARE ALSO HEARING THESE CONCERNS.

ARE THEY UNIFIED IN THESE CHANGES?

>> THEY ARE NOT, WHICH IS PRETTY UNUSUAL, SINCE THIS POLICY HAS BEEN ENACTED.

IT WAS ENACTED IN JULY.

WE'VE SEEN TRUSTEES SPEAK OUT KIND OF BREAK AWAY FROM THAT GROUP CONSENSUS.

TRUSTEE KYLE SEEBERG AND TRUSTEE VIVIAN WINSTON VOTED AGAINST THE AMENDMENTS TODAY.

I SHOULD SAY A LOT OF THESE DISCUSSIONS HAPPENED IN PRIVATE.

OFTEN LAWYERS ARE INVOLVED.

SO TO SEE THIS KIND OF DISSENT IN PUBLIC IS PRETTY UNUSUAL.

>> SO REALLY QUICK, JUST WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE POLICY?

>> MM-HMM.

SO WE'VE BEEN TOLD THAT PRESIDENT PAMELA WHIT SEN GOING TO REVIEW -- WHITTEN IS GOING TO REVIEW THE POLICY THIS SPRING AND THE ACLU OF INDIANA IS ALSO SUING I.U.

OVER THIS POLICY.

SO WE'RE GOING TO KEEP AN EYE ON IT.

>> ALL RIGHT, AUBREY, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

SAFE TRAVELS BACK TO BLOOMINGTON.

THIS ALL COMES AFTER PRESIDENT WHITTEN FACED CRITICISM THURSDAY FROM SOME STATE LAWMAKERS AS SHE PRESENTED THE UNIVERSITY'S BUDGET REQUEST.

THE CRITICISM CENTERED ON WHITTEN'S HANDLING OF THE ISRAEL-PALESTINIAN PROTEST THIS YEAR AND OVERWHELMING NO CONFIDENCE VOTE FROM I.U.

FACULTY.

>> WE CAN STILL CONTINUE TO OFFER THE UNIVERSITY.

WE CAN CONTINUE TO HAVE RECORD ENROLLMENT, BUT I THINK WHAT ARE WE LOSING IN THE LONG TERM IF WE TAKE BIASED POSITIONS?

I'M NOT AGAINST ENFORCING POLICIES AS LONG AS THEY ARE EQUALLY ENFORCED AGAINST EVERYONE.

>> WHITTEN SHOULDN'T BE INFLUENCED BY OUTSIDE POLITICAL FORCED.

SHE REJECTED THAT CLAIM.

>> JUST BECAUSE YOU READ IN THE PAPER, YOU SEE ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT SOMETHING HAPPENED AS A RESULT OF SOMETHING, I WOULD NOT NECESSARILY ASSUME THAT TO BE TRUE.

>> REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS LARGELY APPLAUDED WHITTEN'S LEADERSHIP, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WILL WRITE A NEW BUDGET IN THE 2025.

>>> AND HOMELESSNESS IN RURAL AREAS HAS INCREASED FASTER THAN THE URBAN PARTS OF THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING IN INDIANA.

INCREASES IN RURAL AREAS HAS INMATCHED URBAN AREAS.

BENTE BOUTHIER HAS MORE ON THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES THIS CREATES.

>> HI, JOE.

PLACES LIKE THE BEDFORD WARMING SHELTER ARE TRYING TO MEET INCREASING DEMAND.

BUT RURAL AREAS ARE OFTEN UNDER RESOURCED LEAVING PEOPLE WITH FEWER OPTIONS FOR HOUSING AND SUPPORT.

VOLUNTEERS AT THE BEDFORD SHELTER SCRAMBLE EGGS, MAKE COFFEE AND TALK WITH GUESTS WHO STAYED THERE OVERNIGHT.

IT WAS FIRST NIGHT MICHAEL STAMPER EVER STAYED AT A SHELTER.

HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER A COUPLE YEARS AGO AND LATER HAD TO MOVE OUT OF HIS TRAILER.

>> IT WAS A COUPLE OF MONTHS BEFORE I COULD DO ANYTHING, AND I GOT BEHIND ON OTHER THINGS BECAUSE I COULDN'T HARDLY GET OUT TO DO ANYTHING.

IT WAS JUST ROUGH THE FIRST FEW MONTHS AFTER I HAD THAT CANCER.

>> AFTER THE SURGERY TO REMOVE THE CANCER, HE STAYED WITH A FRIEND WHO COULD TAKE HIM TO HIS DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS.

HE STAYED ON OTHER FRIENDS' COUCHES SINCE.

STAMPER HAS LIVED IN LAWRENCE COUNTY FOR LAST 20 YEARS AND IS ON S.S.I.

BEFORE HE WORKED IN FACTORIES, MACHINE SHOPS AND AS A ROOFER.

>> DEALING WITH HOUSING.

I NEVER HAD TO DEAL WITH ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE.

I THINK HEATHER HAS HELPED ME OUT QUITE A BIT.

I FEEL FILLED OUT SOME APPLICATIONS FOR APARTMENTS TODAY.

>> HEATHER FLYNN RUNS THE BEDFORD WARMING SHELTER, WHICH STARTS OVERNIGHT SERVICES IN NOVEMBER THAT LAST UNTIL APRIL.

SHE OFFERS CASE MANAGEMENT YEAR ROUND.

BEDFORD'S WARMING SHELTER IS IN ONE OF INDIANA'S 40 RURAL COUNTIES AND IS ONE OF THE LAST RESOURCES BEFORE JEFFERSONVILLE.

THE SHELTER MOVED TO ITS CURRENT LOCATION THREE YEARS AGO.

SINCE THE MOVE, FLYNN HAS FOCUSED ON GETTING PEOPLE A PLACE TO LIVE.

>> THAT FIRST YEAR, WE HAD 68 DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND I BELIEVE WE GOT 27 OF THEM INTO HOUSING THAT SEASON, AND THEN EVERY YEAR WHEN WE CLOSE IN MARCH, WE'VE GOTTEN A CERTAIN NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN AND THEN THROUGH THE SUMMER WE CONTINUE TO GET PEOPLE IN.

>> THEY PLACED 100 PEOPLE IN HOUSING IN THE LAST THREE YEARS.

EVEN BEFORE FLYNN SAYS THE NEED WAS THERE.

LAWRENCE COUNTY'S HOUSING STOCK IS AGING, WITH ABOUT 20% BUILT BEFORE 1940.

AND AS OF 2022, ARE THE COUNTY HAD ABOUT 600 FEWER VACANT AND AVAILABLE HOMES THAN IT DID NINE YEARS AGO.

RENT IS CHEAPER IN INDIANA'S RURAL AREAS, INCLUDING LAWRENCE COUNTY, BUT IN 2021, MEDIAN INCOME AND COST OF HOUSING DIVERGED FOR RENTERS AND HASN'T RECOVERED.

>> WE MAY HAVE SOMEONE WHO HAS THE INCOME.

THEY MAY GET SOCIAL SECURITY EVERY MONTH.

THEY MAY HAVE SOME MONEY SAVED UP, BUT THEY JUST NEED THAT LITTLE EXTRA MONEY TO BE ABLE TO GET THE DEPOSIT AND GET INTO A PLACE.

>> INDIANA'S POINT IN TIME COUNT IN 2019, REPORTED EIGHT PEOPLE EXPENSING HOMELESSNESS IN LAWRENCE COUNTY.

THIS YEAR COUNT REPORTED 45 PEOPLE.

THIS YEAR, GREENE AND OWEN COUNTIES REPORTED NO PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

FLYNN SAYS THESE ARE PROBABLY ALL UNDERCOUNTS.

MARY MORGAN WITH HEADING HOME SAYS GETTING AN ACCURATE COUNT IS HARD.

THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GAUGE AREAS NEEDING THESE COUNTS.

BUT IT TAKES PEOPLE AND RESOURCES TO DO A COUNT.

HER ORGANIZATION LAUNCHED IN 2021 AND COMBATS HOMELESSNESS IN SOUTH CENTRAL INDIANA, INITIALLY HEADING HOME TRIED TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS FROM MONROE COUNTY, LAWRENCE, MARTIN, OWEN AND GREEN COUNTIES.

>> AND QUICKLY REALIZED WE JUST DON'T HAVE CAPACITY FOR THAT.

SO OUR FOCUS REALLY HAS BEEN AT LEAST FOR THIS INITIAL PERIOD ON LAWRENCE AND MORGAN COUNTIES BECAUSE THEY HAVE SOME RESOURCES THERE AND SOME SERVICES, AND SOME WILLING PARTNERS.

>> HEADING HOME PUBLISHED A REPORT ON HOMELESSNESS IN LAWRENCE COUNTY THIS YEAR, EVALUATING THE DEMAND FOR UTILITY PAYMENT ASSISTANCE AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S COUNT OF STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

THE REPORT DEMONSTRATED THAT CONDITIONS FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN RURAL AREAS CAN BE MORE DIFFICULT TO ASSESS.

>> YOU DON'T NECESSARILY THINK OF YOURSELF AS HOMELESS BECAUSE YOU ARE LIVING IN, SAY, A SHED IN BACK OF YOUR GRAND PARENT'S HOUSE THAT DOESN'T HAVE RUNNING WATT, BUT IT IS A PLACE TO -- RUNNING WATER, BUT IT IS A PLACE TO STAY.

BY FEDERAL STANDARDS, IT'S HOMELESS, BECAUSE IT'S NOT FIT FOR HUMAN HABITATION, BUT PEOPLE MIGHT NOT SEE IT THAT WAY.

>> MORGAN SAYS HEADING HOME PLANS TO ENCOURAGE LOCAL DEVELOPERS TO BILL HOUSING ON A SMALL -- BUILD HOUSING ON A SMALLER SCALE, RATHER THAN LARGE DEVELOPMENTS.

A HOUSING TASK FORCE THAT INCLUDES FLYNN AND LAWRENCE COUNTY TRUSTEES STARTED AS A WAY TO ADDRESS ISSUES IDENTIFIED IN THE REPORT.

FLYNN IS NOW PART OF HEADING HOME'S BUILT FOR ZERO TEAM.

STAMPER SAYS AT FIRST HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO OR WHAT HELP WAS AVAILABLE.

IF THE BEDFORD WARMING SHELTER WASN'T THERE, HE MIGHT HAVE TRIED TO MOVE BACK IN WITH ONE OF HIS PARENTS IN OHIO OR KENTUCKY.

>> THEY HELP YOU WITH THE FIRST MONTH'S RENT.

THAT'S A BIG PLUS THERE.

AND THEN IF I DO FIND -- WHEN I DO FIND A PLACE AND GET OUT ON MY OWN, I WILL COME DOWN AND HELP THEM DO SOME VOLUNTEER WORK HERE TO, YOU KNOW, KIND OF PAY IT BACK.

>> THE 2024 POINT IN TIME COUNT SHOWS THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS INCREASED ACROSS ALL CONTINUUM OF CARE CATEGORIES AND SHELTER STATUSES.

RURAL AREAS IN THE U.S. HAD THE HIGHEST INCREASE OF CHRONIC AND UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS.

THIS YEAR HAD ISSUED FIRST OF ITS KIND FEDERAL AID PACKAGE TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS IN RURAL CONTINUUMS OF CARE.

REPORTINGIN BEDFORD FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M BENTE BOUTHIER.

>>> AND WE'RE JOINED NOW BY SHELBY BROWN WITH THE LATEST HEADLINES FROM, THE STATE.

HI, SHELBY.

>> A FEDERAL APPEALS COURT SAYS AN INDIANA LAW BENDING GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE FOR MINORS CAN REMAIN IN EFFECT.

THE SEVENTH U.S.

CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS RULED 2-1 THAT THE LAW'S REVICTIMMIONS ARE WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND DO NOT INFRINGE ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF TRANSGENDER CHILDREN, THEIR PARENTS OR MEDICAL PROVIDERS.

INDIANA'S LAW WAS PASSED IN 2023, AMID A NATIONAL PUSH BY GOP-LED LEGISLATORS TO CURB THE LGBTQ+ RIGHTS.

>>> IN THE MONROE COUNTY COUNCIL TUESDAY GAVE THE GO-AHEAD TO BUY THE NORTH PARK PROPERTY TO USE AS THE SITE OF A NEW JUSTICE COMPLEX.

THE COUNTY PAID $11.4 MILLION FOR THE 52-ACRE PROPERTY AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF I-69 AND STATE ROAD 46.

NORTH PARK WAS ONE OF SEVERAL PROPERTIES THE COUNTY CONSIDERED.

RESIDENTS OF ELLETTSVILLE WHICH IS JUST WEST OF NORTH PARK HAVE BEEN VOCAL ABOUT NOT WANTING TO HAVE A NEW JAIL NORTHEASTERN.

-- NEARBY.

>> WHAT I CAN SAY IS THAT ELLETTSVILLE IS A RESILIENT COMMUNITY.

I'M SURE THAT THEY WILL COME TOGETHER AND TRY TO MAKE LEMONADE OUT OF LEMONS THEY ARE BEING HANDED.

>> IT IS UNCLEAR WHEN CONSTRUCTION WILL BEGIN AT THE SITE, BUT THE COUNTY EXPECTS IT TO TAKE 30 MONTHS TO BUILD A NEW JAIL.

AND A FENCE IS GOING UP AND TRAILERS ARE ON SITE AND WORK IS UNDERWAY TO CLEAN UP THE FORMER COLOMBIAN SITE?

TERRE HAUTE.

THE CITY IS WORKING WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY TO REMOVE DEBRIS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INCLUDING ASBESTOS.

>> THAT IS ONE OF MY BEST MEMORIES SO FAR AS BEING MAYOR, HEY, NO, WE SAID WE WOULD HELP NORTH TERRE HAUTE.

WE COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH THE EPA TO CLEAN UP A CRUMBLED FACTORY.

>> HE SAYS THE CITY ALSO PLANS TO REBUILD A NEIGHBORHOOD PARK AND ACQUIRE THE SITE FOR POTENTIAL MARKET RATE HOUSING.

THE CLEANUP SHOULD BE COMPLETE IN A YEAR.

>>> AND INDIANA UNIVERSITY IS REPATRIATING SACRED OBJECTS TO THE PAWNI NATION.

UNIVERSITY IS LYING WITH THE NATIVE AMERICAN GRAVES PROTECTION AND THE REPATRIATION ACT.

IT GIVES DESCENDANTS AND HAWAIIAN ORGANIZATIONS OWNERSHIP OF CULTURAL ARTIFACTS AND REMAINS, MANY OF WHICH WERE TAKEN BY WHITE ACADEMICS FROM GRAVESITES.

>> I DON'T KNOW HOW TO PUT IT.

IT'S JUST EMOTIONALLY JUST TO ACTUALLY FINALLY GET TO SEE -- AND THEN SHOW OUR PEOPLE, AND SHOW OUR GRANDKIDS AND OUR KIDS.

>> I.U.

IS CURRENTLY WORKING WITH DOZENS OF TRIBAL NATIONS TO RETURN SACRED ARTIFACTS AND REMAINS.

THE VIGO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS VOTED ON TUESDAY AGAINST REZONING LAND IN PRAIRIETON FOR A NEW DOLLAR GENERAL LOCATION.

MEMBER OF KEEP THE PRAIRIE IN PRAIRIETON GROUP OPPOSED THE REZONING AND PRESENTED TO THE COMMISSIONERS A 19 AND A HALF PAPER SCROLL WITH THE NAMES OF ALMOST 500 PEOPLE.

DOLLAR GENERAL WANTED THE NEW STORE TO TAKE PRESSURE OFF TWO OTHER DOLLAR GENERALS JUST FOUR MILES AWAY.

IT'S UNCERTAIN WHETHER DOLLAR GENERAL WILL PURSUE BUILDING A NEW STORE IN THE AREA.

>>> AND FIFTH RANKED INDIANA FOOTBALL TEAM IS OFF THIS WEEK BUT THERE'S STILL THE TOPIC OF NATIONAL CONVERSATIONS.

IN THE LATEST COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF RANKINGS, THE 10-0 HOOSIERS ARE SEATED SEVENTH AND PENCILED IN TO HOST ALABAMA IN THE OPENING ROUND OF PLAYOFFS BUT THERE'S STILL A LONG WAY TO GO BEFORE THAT HAPPENS.

I.U.

PLAYS NEXT WEEK AT NUMBER TWO OHIO STATE BEFORE CLOSING THE REGULAR SEASON AT HOME AGAINST PURDUE.

AND JOE, THE FINAL PLAYOFF RANKINGS AND BRACKET WILL BE RELEASED ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8th.

>> THAT'S CRAZY IF THEY BEAT OHIO STATE, THEY COULD GO TO THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP GAME TOO.

>> YES, NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

ELLETTSVILLE IS PLANNING A TECH PARK ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN BUT RESIDENTS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT POSSIBLE NOISE AND TRAFFIC ISSUES.

>>> AND THE BROWN COUNTY MUSIC HAS FACED MANY CHALLENGES IN THE FIRST FIVE YEARS OF EXISTENCE.

>> THESE STORIES AND MORE RIGHT HERE ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

ELLETTSVILLE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THAT A TECHNOLOGY PARK WILL BE BUILT ON OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN.

ISABELLA VESPIRINI HAS MORE ON WHAT CITIZENS THINK OF THE NEW DEVELOPMENT.

>> RESIDENTS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT HOW MUCH NOISE THIS TECH PARK WILL MAKE IF IT'S BUILT AND THEY WANT MORE TRANSPARENCY FROM THE TOWN.

I TALKED TO A CITIZEN WHO LIVES ACROSS FROM WHERE THIS DEVELOPMENT COULD BE BUILT.

>> I LIKE PEACE AND QUIET.

I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO HAVE SOME HERE.

BUT IT'S CHANGING PRETTY QUICKLY.

>> A FOOD RETAIL DISTRIBUTION CENTER WAS BUILT A FEW YEARS AGO IN THE FIELD ACROSS FROM JOHNSTON'S HOUSE, ABOUT A HALF MILE AWAY.

JOHNSTON CAN HEAR ALARMS FROM THAT BUILDING, WHICH ANNOYED HIM AND HIS WIFE.

JOHNSTON AND NEIGHBORS ARE AFRAID A TECH PARK WILL PRODUCE EVEN MORE NOISE, LIGHT POLLUTION AND TRAFFIC.

>> I DON'T KNOW HOW WE'LL SUPPORT THE TRAFFIC ON STARNS ROAD DOWN TO REEVES AND OUT TO FLATWOODS.

IT'S REALLY NOT -- THAT'S REALLY NOT DESIGNED FOR SEMI TRAFFIC.

>> LAND FOR THE TECH PARK ALREADY HAS BEEN ANNEXED INTO CITY LIMITS.

OFFICIALS ALSO RECENTLY APPROVED REZONING THE 343 ACRES.

THE LAND HAD BEEN CONSIDERED AGRICULTURAL, WHERE ONLY FARMING COULD OCCUR.

NOW THAT THE LAND HAS BEEN REZONED AS LIGHT INDUSTRIAL, IT ALLOWS BUILDINGS RELATED TO MANUFACTURING AND TECHNOLOGY.

>> TECH PARK.

YOU KNOW, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> SCOTT REYNOLDS CREATED THE SITE HARP INDIANA.

IT PROVIDES DOCUMENTS AND VIDEOS ABOUT THE PROJECT AND CONTACT INFORMATION FOR ELLETTSVILLE OFFICIALS.

REYNOLDS ALSO HAS CONCERNS ABOUT THE PACE OF ANNEXATION AND REZONING PROCESS.

>> THIS WAS REALLY VERY LITTLE INFORMATION THAT WAS BEING SHARED AND VERY LITTLE INFORMATION THAT WAS BEING MADE AVAILABLE BY THE PEOPLE WHO ARE PROPOSING TO DEVELOP THIS PROPERTY.

>> WILLIAM ELLIS WHO IS ON THE ELLETTSVILLE TOWN COUNCIL IS AWARE OF CONCERNS ABOUT A LACK OF INFORMATION ON THE PROJECT.

BUT HE ISN'T WORRIED ABOUT THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY FROM GREG BELLEN.

BELLEN DID NOT RESPOND TO REQUESTS FOR COMMENT.

>> I CAN UNDERSTAND ANY COMPANIES NOT WANTING TO SAY WHO THEY ARE OR WHAT EXACTLY THEY WANT TO BUILD, BECAUSE THERE'S COMPETITION FOR THIS.

AND WHAT THEY DON'T WANT TO HAPPEN IS THE COMPETITION TO PULL THE RUG OUT FROM UNDER THEM OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT OR BUILD SOMETHING SIMILAR.

>> REGARDING NOISE CONCERNS, ELLIS SAYS ASPECTS OF PARK CAN BE NEGOTIATED UNDER THE TOWN'S UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE, WHICH AMONG OTHER THINGS AIMS TO IMPROVE AESTHETICS.

ELLIS WOULDN'T WANT IT TO AFFECT HARMON FARM DEVELOPMENT.

HE THINKS THE TECH PARK COULD BE GOOD FOR BUSINESS IN ELLETTSVILLE.

HE SAID IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO INCREASE TAX REVENUE SO RESIDENTS MIGHT PAY LESS IN TAXES.

NEW JOBS COULD ALSO BECOME AVAILABLE.

>> WHETHER WE DO IT OR NOT, THE GROWTH IS GONNA HAPPEN.

AND SO THE QUESTION TO BE ASKED IF YOU WANT THIS TO GO INTO ANOTHER MUNICIPALITY, AND FOR THEM TO REAP THE BENEFITS OF JOBS AND TAX RELIEF OR DO YOU WANT TO REAP THE JOBS AND TAX RELIEF?

AND OVERALL, I WOULD SAY MOST ELLETTSVILLE RESIDENTS WANT TO -- THEY WANT TO DO THAT.

>> DEPENDING ON HOW DISRUPTIVE THE DEVELOPMENT IS, JOHNSTON WOULD CONSIDER MOVING.

>> IF THEY START THROWING WHITE BOX BUILDINGS UP AND ROADS, YEAH.

I WILL HAVE A 12-FOOT WALL BUILT ALL THE WAY DOWN THAT RIGHT-OF-WAY.

WITH THE GATE.

I THOUGHT WE WOULD RETIRE HERE, AND, YOU KNOW, RAISE GRAND KIDS AND GARDEN AND -- BUT, YEAH, IF IT'S -- IF THEY BUILD OUT TO HERE, YEAH, I'M PROBABLY -- PROBABLY GOING TO LOOK FOR ANOTHER PLACE.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M ISABELLA VESPIRINI.

>>> CONSTRUCTION OF THE TECH PARK COULD START WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

THE BROWN COUNTY MUSIC CENTER IS CELEBRATING ITS FIFTH YEAR SINCE OPENING IN 2019.

CLAYTON BAUMGARTH SPOKE WITH THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ABOUT CHALLENGES THE VENUE HAS FACED.

>> WELL, IT'S BECOME A FIXTURE IN THE NASHVILLE COMMUNITY, THE BROWN COUNTY MUSIC CENTER DIDN'T START OUT THIS WAY.

THE RESIDENTS EXPRESSED DISPLEASURE ABOUT FUNDING A PRIVATE VENUE.

IT WAS BUILT WITH A $12.5 MILLION LOAN AND ASSISTANCE FROM THE VISITORS BUREAU.

NOW ALL PROFITS THAT THE VENUE GENERATES GOES BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY.

>> WE WERE ABLE TO FULFILL OUR MISSION AND GIVE $267,000 BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY AND WE ARE ON PACE TO DO THE SAME THING IN 2024.

>> 75% OF THOSE DOLLARS GO TO THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AND ITS LONG-TERM ENDOWMENT, AS WELL AS SCHOLARSHIPS AND COMMUNITY PROJECTS.

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DECIDE HOW TO SPEND THE OTHER 25%.

IT WAS FIRST TIME THE VENUE HAS BEEN ABLE TO DONATE PROFITS SINCE OPENING IN 2019.

IT WAS CLOSED DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC AND WAS NOT OPEN IN 2022.

>> I THINK THAT HELPED TO FLIP THE SWITCH WITH A LOT OF NAY SAYERS WHEN THEY FIRST THOUGHT WHAT THIS WAS GOING TO BE AND WHAT THE VENUE WAS INTENDED FOR.

AND THE FACT THAT WE ARE DOING THIS, THAT WE SET OUT TO DO, IT'S AMAZING.

>> WEBB SEES GROWTH IN THE FUTURE.

LAST YEAR, THE VENUE PLAYED HOST TO 66 ACTS.

THIS YEAR, IT HOPES TO HAVE 78.

SINCE OPENING, IT ADDED THE PARKING LOT AND UPGRADED THE V.I.P.

SEATS AND EXPANDING THE BEER GARDEN.

>> I'M PRODUCE TO BE PART OF THIS VENUE AND I REALLY THINK THAT WE ARE DOING UNIQUE THINGS THAT I THINK ARE GROUNDBREAKING IN A LOT OF WAYS.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M CLAYTON BAUMGARTH.

>>> CENTER HAS BUSY SCHEDULE WITH TRACY LAWRENCE, KENNY G PLAYING THIS WEEKEND.

ACTS SUCH AS KANSAS, CHEAP TRICK AND THE OAK RIDGE BOYS PERFORMING IN THE COMING WEEKS.

>> THE METROPOLITAN OPERA AND THE JACOBS SCHOOL OF MUSIC ARE PARTNERING FOR THE WORLD PREMIER OF THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF CAVALIER AND CLAY.

AUBREY WRIGHT HAS MORE.

>> THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF CAVALIER AND CLAY WILL PLAY IN BLOOMINGTON.

THE METROPOLITAN OPERA IS LEADING THE PRODUCTION.

IT'S A LONG WAY FROM NEW YORK CITY.

>> THIS ENABLES US TO GET A LOOK AT THE PIECE, SEE WHAT'S WORKING, WHAT COULD BE IMPROVED, EXPERIENCING IT WITH AN AUDIENCE, WHICH CAN TELL US A LOT ABOUT THE PACING AND THE LENGTH AND HOW THINGS ARE WORKING.

>> THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF CAVALIER AND CLAY FOLLOW TWO COUSINS IN 1940s NO, CITY.

HE'S A REFUGEE FROM PRAGUE.

TODAY THEY CREATE THEIR OWN SHACKLE BREAKING SUPER HERO, THE ESCAPIST.

CHANDLER BENN IS ONE OF THEM PLAYING CAVALIER.

>> I THINK THE MOST REWARDING PART OF THIS PROCESS IS BUILDING A CHARACTER FROM THE GROUND UP THAT'S NEVER BEEN IN LIVE PERFORMANCE BEFORE WITH ALL THESE PEOPLE, WHO, YOU KNOW, MAYBE EVEN KNOW THE CHARACTER BETTER THAN -- BETTER THAN I DO.

>> AND VERONICA SEIBERT PLAYS ROSA SACKS WHO IS HELPING TO RESCUE CHILDREN IN EUROPE, CAUGHT IN WORLD WAR II.

>> SHE'S I HAVE VERY STRONG WOMAN.

SHE END -- SHE'S A VERY STRONG WOMAN AND SHE ENDS UP IN POSITION OF POWER WHICH WERE NOT NORMAL FOR THE TIME BUT A VERY INTERESTING CHARACTER SNAG IT SPANS YEARS AND THREE CONTINENTS.

NATURALLY THE ALL-STUDENT CAST WON'T BE AS POLISHED AS PROFESSIONALS BUT THEY BRING AUTHENTICITY TO THEIR ROLES.

>> IT'S PERFECT TO SEE THE STUDENTS PLAYING THESE ROLES BECAUSE THEY ARE REALLY THE RIGHT AGE AND THEY ARE GOING -- THE CHARACTERS ARE GOING THROUGH THE THINGS THAT THESE STUDENTS GO THROUGH AT THAT AINGE.

-- AT THAT AGE.

♪ >> TICKETS FOR THE OPERA ARE ON SALE AT THE MUSICAL ARTS CENTER BOX OFFICE AND ONLINE.

>>> WELL, THAT'S THE END OF THIS PROGRAM, BUT OUR WORK CONTINUES ONLINE AS WE COVER THE NEWS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AT WTIUNEWS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

♪ >>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: