WATCH: ‘Can Do’ Attitude Fuels Jasper

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When asked what’s behind more than $215 million in economic development projects, Mayor Terry Seitz didn’t hesitate. "If you want something done, have someone from Jasper on your board or in your group, and it’ll get done," said Seitz during an interview on Inside INdiana Business Television. Next month, ground will be broken for an 80-room Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites Hotel, part of the $30 million River Centre mixed-use project along the Patoka River.

Seitz says the projects are part of a vision focused on keeping and attracting talent.

Demolition on the River Centre project began in February. The project is being developed by General Hotels Corp. and Boxer Girl LLC, both based in Indianapolis.

It is the latest in a string of projects in the Dubois County community of approximately 15,000 residents.

Seitz says there is strong community buy-in for the work. "If you can’t sell your vision, you shouldn’t be Mayor," said Seitz. "You involve the public in that process and go look, here’s what we see, what do you see? Now we’re in the implementation stage and people as much as anything are saying, when is it going to be done, when is it going to be done?!"

Projects, either completed or in various stages of development, include:

• Smithville Giga-City Fiber Build – estimated $7 million in private investment
• The Parklands of Jasper – estimated $ 6.5 million from city, state and donated sources
• Jasper Lofts at the former JOFCO property – estimated $15 million investment from private, city and state sources
• River Centre at the old Jasper Cabinet property – estimated $30 million in private investment and city infrastructure work
• Jasper Cultural Center at the old Hoosier Desk property – estimated $17 million in city, library, state and donated sources
• Vine Street Lofts at the former Wood Products property – estimated $14 million in private, city and state sources
• Astra Theater renovation in partnership with Next Act LLC – estimated $ 1.6 million in private gifts and state grants
• Multi-use river trail – estimated $ 2.5 million in city funds and a state grant
• Downtown revitalization work – estimated $ 4.2 million in state and city funding and gifts

Watch the entire interview: