When residents raise concerns about large battery energy storage systems being placed near homes, schools, and churches, we are often told, “It’s no different than a Tesla car battery.” That comparison is misleading. A Tesla vehicle battery typically stores around 70 to 100 kilowatt-hours of energy. The battery system proposed for the Crossvine project uses…
Hoosiers are opening their utility bills and asking the same question: Why does electricity keep getting more expensive? We are told that large solar and battery energy storage projects will lower costs, yet rates across Indiana continue to rise. Utility companies are spending billions on new infrastructure—solar fields, massive battery systems, transmission upgrades, and substations,…
The Indiana General Assembly has reached the halfway point of this year’s legislative session, which means bills must have passed out of their original chamber in order to continue through the legislative process. In the Senate, 290 bills were filed this year, and 112 were passed by the chamber. More than 90% of these bills…
House Bill 1333 is being presented as a technical land-use and economic development bill, but its real impact deserves closer attention from Hoosiers—especially those in rural communities. HB 1333 makes certain large developments on agricultural land a “permitted use,” meaning they can move forward without rezoning, special exceptions, or meaningful local approval. This strips counties…
For all of us who drive on Highway 231, it is clear that we have a traffic problem with the large number of semi-tractor-trailers and the increasing daily vehicle traffic. This traffic issue can be resolved with the construction of the Corridor. The Corridor is for all of the citizens of Dubois County. Perhaps, most…
Like many of us, this bitterly cold January day, I remain stuck at home, and I am grateful for the many people shoveling us out, helping their neighbors, and keeping us informed. As I watch the drifting snow literally bury my car, the old questions of “bigger is better,” and “what is prosperity?” flood my…
The recent government shutdown exposed a critical problem: air traffic controllers went without paychecks while doing essential work. This only amplified existing personnel and technology constraints in ATC. For manufacturers in rural Indiana, this kind of disruption threatens operations and the jobs we support. OFS Brands and companies like ours depend on a functioning aviation…
In his recent letter to the editor, “Mid-States Corridor an investment in the future”, Doug Bawel, President and CEO of Jasper Engine and their subsidiary JET Transit, told us: “If people knew of the armaments that travel through Jasper many times daily, they would be terrified.” He made a similar claim at the August 14th…
I read with great interest Mr. Doug Bawel’s letter with regards to the Mid-States Corridor. I was struck by his statements about forward thinkers and naysayers. I would have expected nothing less from a donor to the Mid-States Corridor RDA. US 231 is not a new highway as Mr. Bawels alluded. It was on the…
In late 2021, Dubois County and the City of Jasper partnered to apply for and were selected to participate in the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program (HELP) initiative through OCRA (Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs). The purpose of the program was to develop a strategic plan for using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds…
