Letter: Mid-States Corridor is not the answer
This week, I watched the most recent Dubois County Commissioners’ meeting on YouTube. I listened as Jason McCoy, for the Property Rights Alliance, shared with the commissioners a resolution requesting that they no longer support the Mid-States Corridor project. I also listened as several members of the PRA who were in attendance spoke and brought up their concerns about the project. The group was respectable and knowledgeable as Commissioner Blessinger allowed all of them to speak if they wished.
The part that stood out through the entire process was a reminder that the commissioners work for all of US. They need to take into consideration the consequences of all of their constituents and not rely on personal opinions about this project. It seemed as Commissioner Blessinger listened, that he has been doing some research on the negative aspects of this project to better understand what it would do to our county.
On the other hand, Commissioner Hostetter clearly came out in favor of the project, stating it was needed for our economy, but had no real justification to back up how this affects all the businesses of Dubois County, especially how small businesses would survive. He expressed sympathy for the landowners who will lose the homes, businesses, and farms that they have worked for, built, and nurtured for years, decades or even for over a century. Really…sympathy?
Then there was Commissioner Stenftenagel, who was concerned about our industrial base and what would happen “IF” the MSC was not done. Are we willing to gamble on what would be a multi-billion dollar new terrain highway that will be so very destructive to this county and its citizens, on an IF?
Next, Colten Pipenger from Dubois Strong read a prepared statement from his laptop about how 231 has struggled under increased traffic demands as it fails to support businesses. Really? Hundreds of businesses are thriving in Dubois County, and it is due to the wonderful people who live and work here. They will continue to thrive even if this road is not built….due to the people here. Mr. Pipenger obviously has failed to read the Tier 2 preliminary study that clearly states that traffic is NOT an issue on US 231 through Dubois County. He did reference the economic study commissioned by Dubois Strong, which is filled with unrealistic projections like doubling Dubois County’s population and substantially increasing jobs. Even INDOT has publicly stated that this independent study cannot factor into the Mid-States Corridor project. As for doubling the population…I certainly don’t want to live in a crowded urban area. If I did, I would move to Evansville or Indianapolis. Mr. Pipenger, I am guessing, did not grow up here in our beautiful, rural, agricultural county. Yes, we have a wonderful, thriving industrial base also and that is what makes Dubois County so unique and special.
We want to see growth in our community, but we want to see it done in a way that embraces our uniqueness and retains the quality of life that we have worked so hard for. We want to see our children and grandchildren be able to raise their families in a community that continues to be strong.
The Mid-States corridor is not the answer. If it happens it will destroy this community and do more harm than good. It will destroy the small business base in this county just so a few big industries can get their trucks through faster. It will be devastating to our agricultural base, which is the county’s biggest and most profitable employer.
Please contact all of your elected officials and express your concerns about how this project will affect this county. Ask them to do their research, including the FIVE previous studies done by independent companies that clearly state that a new terrain highway is not economically or environmentally feasible for Dubois County.
Cathy Wagner
Celestine
