Letter: Questions about Mid-States Corridor

What is the reasoning for the Mid-States Corridor; and, why is there such concentrated opposition to it? Is the Corridor a publicly supported project? Does it benefit all residents of Dubois, Martin and Daviess counties? Has it been discussed in all of the county and city council meetings? Are all of the county commissioners in agreement that it is a needed project? These questions should have been and should be answered publicly in the media.

The press, other than the Dubois County Free Press and other Dubois County publications, shy away from the issue. They choose not to report on it, nor will they take a public position. The Martin County Journal had a similar stance as the Free Press, they printed all letters, pro and con, and reported about all meetings concerning the Corridor. It’s difficult for the public in Martin and Daviess counties to get any news or opinions about the Mid-States Corridor. As the only newspaper in Martin County, The Shoals News seldom reports on the Corridor. The Washington Times-Herald does print some letters but seldom anything else about the Corridor. There is no use in even mentioning radio or television coverage, as it is minimal at best.

It seems there is a concentrated effort to keep the most significant public project since I-69 out of the public eye. If this project is so vital to area, why the silence? Does the media choose to ignore the project because those in favor of the project don’t want the public to know? Why do Dubois Strong and the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) both support the Mid-States Corridor Project? Do these organizations have a plan that can illustrate to the people where the Mid-States Corridor will, in fact, bring economic development to the area? Not just platitudes but a real plan with real companies?

When the public is aware of the impact the Mid-States Corridor will have on the area, they are opposed. Yes, there are some who can hardly wait to speed down the Corridor to shop at Walmart in Jasper. These are the residents who choose to live in a rural area but want urban highways. They feel that the farms in Martin, Daviess and Dubois counties are all just “hobby farms”. They think the area has a traffic congestion problem.

Economic development is always subjective. Where is the economic development along the US 50 bypass around Washington? Where is the economic development near the Washington exit of I-69? Where is the economic development along US 231 from the Ohio River to Huntingburg? There is none and it’s been years since the completion of these highways. There has been economic “under” development in these areas with the loss of “hobby farms”, businesses that went under and minimal traffic to bring new shoppers to these areas. Why? Because there are no shops.

It’s time for the local media to step up and be counted. It’s time for The Shoals News, the Washington Times-Herald, and yes, all of the Dubois County papers to speak up about the negative effects the Mid-States Corridor will have on the area. Or, at least dedicate some space to Loogootee and Martin County. Can this be so hard? Will it be too costly?

The Mid-States Corridor is a travesty; and, there are hundreds of readers who feel the same. If there was more reporting there would be even more opposition.

Jim Arvin
Rutherford Township
Martin County