Compiled by Peg McRoy
The Avon Town Council met May 25. Meetings can be viewed on the town’s social media accounts. The council meets at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Thursday of the month at the Avon Town Hall, 6570 E. U.S. 36. The next scheduled meeting is June 8.
What happened: The town council declared June as the town’s official Pride Month, which is in sync with the Nation’s observance of the LGBTQ community recognition in the month of June.
What this means: The town recognized the history of the LGBTQ liberation movement and committed to supporting the visibility, dignity, and equality of LGBTQ community in the town. By officially recognizing Pride Month, the council’s intent is to positively influence the town in awareness and support of the LGBTQ community. Recognizing June as pride month is in observance of the gay liberation riots that occurred in lower Manhattan, New York City, on June 28, 1969. A town member of the LGBTQ community, at the consent of the council because it was not the regularly scheduled public comment segment of the meeting, thanked the council.
What happened: A matching grant between Avon and the Indiana Department of Transportation was presented to the council, and approved, to fund improvements to the town’s roads and bridges.
What this means: The grant is for $992,354, representing 50% of the eligible costs of the project. This grant becomes available when the State Budget Agency approves it and remains in effect for two years. The funds can only be utilized within the projects defined within the grant application.
What happened: A tax abatement compliance form from Harlan Bagel Supply Company was accepted and approved by the council.
What this means: Harlan Bakeries had promised to provide 700 jobs to the community at $19,000 per hire. To date they have only hired 407 jobs at an average of $55,000 per year. While the total number of jobs falls very short of the promised number, the paid wages of the 407 meets the wage criteria. Harlan attributes the short fall to difficulty in finding qualified people to hire.
What happened: An interlocal agreement between Avon and Hendricks County was approved for Avon to become a member of a preliminary strategic economic development plan.
What this means: This resolution authorizes Avon to become a member of the Central Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA). In 2020 Governor Holcomb signed an act that allows the Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson metropolitan areas to create a Central Indiana Regional Development Authority that paved the way for areas in Indiana to connect. The goal of these authorities is to improve the quality of life in these municipalities in order to attract and retain talented people.