Mayor-elect Chris Landers said he intends to prioritize the development of Monterey’s two interstate exits and the recruitment of new businesses to offset the economic impact of the Purdue plant closure.
Landers said the town is entering a critical period of growth as he prepares to take office for a two-year term September 14. Landers said the completion of a long-term sewer project at the interstate interchanges will serve as a primary catalyst for attracting new investment to the community.
“I think it’s important that we recognize that we are a small town growing with vision, with purpose, and with two exits that are just screaming stop by,” Landers said. “So I think that’s a big, big step when we look over the next two years and beyond.”
Landers said the departure of the Purdue facility created a significant financial challenge for the town, particularly regarding water utility costs. Landers said Town Administrator Rafferty Cleary is currently reviewing the budget to identify cost-saving measures that can help mitigate those losses without placing a further burden on residents.
“The real challenge is, is not to continue increase cost in other areas, whatever that is, only, only on the behalf of Purdue’s not there,” Landers said. “So how what can we do to offset that and become a win for, for business owners, for the community, for the citizens, everybody involved.”
Landers said he plans to evaluate the town’s existing committee structures. He said he also wants to look at the best path forward for economic expansion. Landers said the town must also address infrastructure needs beyond the main thoroughfares, including street paving and drainage issues near the park and the Cumberland Container building.
“In order to do that, we got to find ways to save money, find ways to find money, and, and hopefully land somebody in in some of the outlying buildings there that will bring revenue along with the two exits that we have, build that up with some revenue, whether it’s a truck stop or apartment or whatever it’s going to be,” Landers said. “Whatever it’s going to be, the opportunity to get that revenue in there that goes back into the town that makes the the city of Monterey thrive.”
Landers said the town has seen steady progress in its downtown area over the last several years, noting that Main Street currently has no empty buildings. Landers said he wants to expand that revitalization effort to surrounding blocks to ensure the “vibe” of the downtown area reaches more of the community.
“Having both Exit 300, Exit 301, over the next two years have either someone landed there and and are on the way or possibly full,” Landers said. “September the 15th, I think, is the target date for the for the money to be spent and that to be done complete on that exit.”
Landers said he wants to foster a sense of community that extends to residents in neighboring areas like Rickman, Hanging Limb, and Clarkrange who frequent Monterey businesses. Landers said his experience as a local business owner will inform his approach to running the town government as a team effort.
“It’s not about the mayor, it’s not about the board, it’s about the community and how we can do it together,” Landers said. “We build community, we share passion, instill vision into all those that will allow to happen, work together, and we and we win as a team.”
