(A) Introduction.
(1) (a) The economy and demographics of an area are of obvious importance in any long range planning process.
(b) Growth and change in the private sector generates expanding and changing demands for various public services, and the economic well-being of any area is a direct link to productive planning processes.
(2) (a) The county primarily has been a mining and agricultural trade center for western and southern Indiana.
(b) The county has entered a stage of maturity as a manufacturing and agricultural trade center.
(c) Agriculture is still a dominant sector for the county, but on all accounts, the other sectors have increased in revenue.
(B) Demographic considerations.
(1) The county's population has been relatively steady since 1960, showing a moderate decrease in population through 2000.
(a) Population projections show that the county's population will likely increase over the next 40 years, making the 2040 population similar to the 1960 population.
(b) Historical and future population trends for the county are shown below.
Population Changes |
Population Changes | |
1960 | 41,561 |
1970 | 41,546 |
1980 | 41,838 |
1990 | 39,884 |
2000 | 39,256 |
2010 | 39,399 |
2020 | 39,959 |
2030 | 40,571 |
2040 | 40,995 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000; STATS Indiana, (http://www.stats.indiana.edu/).
(2) Vincennes' population decreased to a total of 18,701 in 2000, but is expected to increase to a total of 20,841 by 2020. Similarly, very mild growth rates are anticipated in the other incorporated cities and towns during the planning period. The historical population data and future projections for these cities and towns are depicted herein.
Population Changes, Cities and Towns | ||||||
City/Town | 1970 | 1980 | 1990 | 2000 | 2010 | 2020 |
Population Changes, Cities and Towns | ||||||
City/Town | 1970 | 1980 | 1990 | 2000 | 2010 | 2020 |
Bicknell | 3,717 | 4,713 | 3,357 | 3,378 | 3,475 | 3,523 |
Bruceville | 627 | 646 | 471 | 469 | n/a | n/a |
Decker | 268 | 256 | 281 | 283 | 291 | 295 |
Edwardsport | 482 | 459 | 380 | 363 | 393 | 399 |
Monroe City | 603 | 569 | 538 | 548 | n/a | n/a |
Oaktown | 726 | 776 | 655 | 633 | 678 | 687 |
Sandborn | 528 | 576 | 455 | 451 | 471 | 478 |
Vincennes | 19,867 | 20,857 | 19,859 | 18,701 | 20,556 | 20,841 |
Wheatland | 562 | 532 | 439 | 504 | 454 | 461 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000; STATS Indiana, (http://www.stats.indiana.edu/); The 1990 Income Measures for RDA, pages 10-15. | ||||||
(C) Economic considerations.
(1) General.
(a) The economic base of the county is a key factor in establishing stable employment patterns for the future. Economic stability is important to citizens and government officials as industry not only provides jobs for the community, but also pays a fair portion in property and personal property taxes.
(b) Community leaders of the county have banded together to create a positive attitude toward economic development. The establishment of a new industrial park on U.S. 41, south of Vincennes, is a prime example of how the community leaders are working together in order to better the county.
(2) Tax increment finance districts.
(a) The City of Vincennes designated the Hart Street corridor as an economic development area and adopted their first Tax Increment Finance (TIF) district in March of 1996. This TIF district was later expanded into adjacent areas in January of 2000. The Vincennes Redevelopment Commission is responsible for managing the district funds and administering the economic development plan for the area.
(b) The development plan describes the goals, objectives and capital improvement projects that will achieve desired infrastructure improvements in the TIF district. Further details and information regarding the Hart Street Economic Development Area and associated Tax Increment Finance District can be obtained by contacting the Vincennes Redevelopment Commission through the Vincennes City Hall.
(3) Economic development income tax.
(a) The Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) Ordinance was passed by the County Council in 1997 at a rate of 1/4% of gross income of every county taxpayer. This tax was increased in 2003 to a total rate of 1/2% to provide funding for the construction of a new jail and law enforcement center for the county.
(b) Most government units in the county have designated projects related to existing infrastructure items such as public buildings, drainage, wastewater, streets or traffic control as viable targets for EDIT spending. The county and the Cities of Vincennes and Bicknell have each dedicated a significant portion of their EDIT dollars towards constructing new infrastructure items and developing new industrial or commercial sites
(4) County Development Corporation.
(a) The County Development Corporation (KCDC), previously known as the Vincennes Area Community Development Corporation, was established in 1981 under a board of directors composed of local business leaders and government officials.
(b) The primary goal of KCDC's economic development programs is to influence corporate site selection decisions. KCDC is currently implementing plans on several sites zoned for industrial or commercial use with the intentions of making these sites "construction ready" with utilities, services and access roads in place and environmental studies completed.
(c) KCDC is also involved with efforts in identifying, training and educating citizens to develop and quantify a workforce that helps make locating in the county a solid business decision. Also, recognizing that existing businesses are the backbone of the economy in the county, KCDC continues to work with existing industries to identify their needs and seek solutions.
(5) Vincennes urban enterprise zone.
(a) The Vincennes Urban Enterprise Zone became effective in January of 2002. The broad purpose of the enterprise zone is to stimulate local community and business re-development in specifically defined distressed urban areas within the City of Vincennes.
(b) Various tax and financial incentives are available in the enterprise zone to impact the cash flow position of a business within the zone and improve their access to capital.
(c) Further details and information regarding the enterprise zone program can be obtained by contacting the Vincennes Urban Enterprise Association through the Vincennes City Mayor's Office.
(6) Employment.
(a) 1. Citizens of the county work at a variety of occupations.
2. The two major types of private industry employment are retail sales and services.
3. Some statistics for private industry employment in the county are illustrated in the following table.
4. The major private employers are presented in the following table.
(b) 1. One employment consideration to the county is that many of the community's primary employers fall under a "not-for-profit" status. This includes Good Samaritan Hospital, Vincennes University, KCARC and Vincennes School Corporation.
2. These four employers alone account for nearly 20% of the county's workforce.
3. Because of their not-for-profit status, the tax revenue generated by these employers is limited.
(c) Another key consideration is that the county currently has a 3.5% unemployment rate, this just below the state average of 3.6%. Therefore the county appears to be employing people at an average rate.
Private Industry Employers | ||||||
Private Industry | Employment | Earnings ($) | Average Earnings Per Job ($) | |||
1995 | % Chg. 90-95 | 1995 | % Chg. 90-95 | 1995 | % Chg. 90-95 | |
Private Industry Employers | ||||||
Private Industry | Employment | Earnings ($) | Average Earnings Per Job ($) | |||
1995 | % Chg. 90-95 | 1995 | % Chg. 90-95 | 1995 | % Chg. 90-95 | |
Ag. Services | 278 | 50.3% | 3,025 | 47.4% | 10,881 | -1.9% |
Mining | 451 | 96.9% | 17,845 | 250.8% | 38,568 | 78.1% |
Construction | 835 | 4.2% | 19,547 | 14.6% | 23,410 | 9.9% |
Manufacturing | 2,319 | 45.7% | 66,601 | 35.9% | 28,720 | -6.7% |
Transportation | 1,258 | 15.6% | 38,322 | -4.7% | 30,463 | -17.6% |
Wholesale Trade | 1,082 | 1.3% | 30,446 | 9.5% | 28,139 | 8.1% |
Retail Trade | 4,552 | 14.6% | 52,728 | 16.3% | 11,583 | 1.5% |
Finance, Real Estate | 1,235 | 4.7% | 25,588 | 18.9% | 20,719 | 13.7% |
Services | 5,034 | 9.2% | 99,213 | 25.6% | 19,709 | 15.0% |
Note: The Services category generally includes restaurant and other public services. Source: The Indiana Fact Book 1998-1999, pages 3.12-3.13. | ||||||
Knox County Major Private Employers | |
Employer | Number of Employees |
Knox County Major Private Employers | |
Employer | Number of Employees |
Good Samaritan Hospital | 1,680 |
Vincennes University | 983 |
KCARC | 500 |
Hamilton Glass/Gemtron | 470 |
Vincennes School Corp. | 470 |
Wal-Mart | 405 |
Essex Wire Company | 284 |
Source: Indiana Workforce Development Fact Sheet, page 1. | |
(D) General considerations.
(1) Existing land use. Existing land uses obviously play a major role in future development. A map of the existing land use plan is depicted herein. Much of the existing commercial, residential and industrial development is currently occurring in and around the cities of Vincennes and Bicknell.
(2) Soils.
(a) Soils are considered by many to be the most important natural resource of the county. Soil conditions also play an important role in determining the suitability of land for building locations, septic tanks, and recreational activities. The soil map for the county is presented herein.
(b) The unsuitability of some soils is best exemplified in recently developed residential subdivisions that utilize septic fields. In many areas, soils are impermeable limiting the effectiveness of the septic fields. Furthermore, the topography in many areas does not contain sufficient level ground surface for an adequately sized septic system.
(3) Floodplain. In considering the planning for the county, particular attention was given to those areas that are subject to flooding. The floodplain map shows the flood plain areas adjacent to the Wabash River and throughout the county. The county is bounded by the Wabash and White Rivers, resulting in approximately 30% of the county being in the floodplain. Land use within the floodplains should be restricted to agricultural and recreational pursuits. Therefore, commercial, industrial and residential development in floodplain areas is more highly regulated.
(4) Drainage.
(a) The county is drained entirely by the Wabash River and White Rivers. Development in the county has been accompanied by an increase in impermeable surfaces (i.e., rooftops and pavement). This increase in impermeable surfaces has resulted in an increase in storm water runoff.
(b) In all but a few recent cases, storm water facilities constructed during residential and commercial developments have been limited to storm water conveyance systems such as ditches and storm sewer piping. Only a few developments have included basins to limit the rate of runoff to what existing downstream storm water facilities could accommodate. This has resulted in many tributary streams, ditches and piping systems to be overloaded, ultimately resulting in localized and regional flooding during storm events.
(c) Part of the problem has been the lack of a controlling drainage ordinance for the county. To overcome this deficiency, the County Drainage Task Force, was organized to develop and recommend a storm water drainage ordinance for the county. The Task Force also developed recommendations for policies and procedures to implement maintenance programs for drainage systems throughout the county. The final report of the County Drainage Task Force was presented in February 2001. Copies can be obtained from the County Surveyor's Office.
(5) Transportation.
(a) The transportation facilities of a planning area are a necessary entity of land use planning since they provide for the easy circulation of people and goods between and within the various land use activities of the area. Various modes of transportation make up the whole system. Rail, air and highway facilities each play an integral part in providing for this circulation.
1. Railroads. Currently, three railroads serve the county. Freight service throughout the county is provided by CSX Railroad. City of Vincennes officials are currently working with railroad management to minimize the effects of rail traffic on street traffic without adversely affecting freight service within the city.
2. Airport. The Lawrenceville-Vincennes Municipal Airport, a 5,200-foot paved runway facility located three miles northeast of the City of Lawrenceville, Illinois, and the Vincennes University Airport both serve the county. Airfreight and charter services are available as well.
3. Highways.
a. A key factor in future transportation planning is the ongoing Interstate 69 effort. Interstate 69 is a proposed interstate highway that would connect Evansville to Indianapolis. This route will be routed near Washington at its closest point to the county. Detailed environmental studies, route planning, land acquisition and design of the interstate could take years. Therefore, it is recommended that the community continue to monitor the status of Interstate 69 development and evaluate its impacts on land use and transportation routes under this comprehensive plan.
b. The county is currently served by the following major state and federal highways which carry a high proportion of interregional traffic:
4. U.S. highways. The major U.S. highways in the county are U.S. 41, U.S. 50 and U.S. 150. U.S. 41 generally handles traffic from Evansville to Chicago, while U.S. 50 runs from the Cincinnati area through St. Louis. U.S. 150, from the Louisville area, turns northward at Vincennes, and is a joint route with U.S. 41 to Terre Haute, where it then bears westward into Illinois. In the county U.S. 41 runs north and south from Oaktown to Decker. U.S. 150 and 50 runs easterly from Vincennes, passes near Wheatland, and into Daviess County.
5. State highways. State Route (S.R.) 67 from Indianapolis terminates at its interchange with U.S. 41 north of Vincennes. S.R. 61, from Jasper, enters Vincennes from the east and S.R. 441 brings traffic into Vincennes from the U.S. 41 by-pass north along Willow Street to Sixth Street. S.R. 241 serves as a connector for Wheatland and Decker. S.R. 550, from Emison, enters Bruceville from the west then runs southeast to terminate at Wheatland. S.R. 58 runs from Merom to Freelandville, where it turns east and ends at Elnora. S.R. 159 merely serves as a connector for Freelandville and Bicknell.
(b) In the county there are four classes of streets, they are:
1. Principal arterials. These have high traffic volumes, and connect major population centers and traffic generators. Access is highly limited or controlled.
2. Minor arterials. These feed and distribute moderately high volume traffic to principal arterials. They may provide controlled access to abutting properties.
3. Collectors. These primarily collect traffic from local streets and feed traffic to the arterial street network.
4. Local. Streets used primarily for access to abutting properties, usually residential.
(c) As discussed in the transportation plan hereunder, the following is the classification for major streets and highways in the county:
Principal Arterials | Minor Arterials |
U.S. 41-50-150 By-pass | S.R. 58 S.R. 159 |
U.S. 41 | S.R. 59 S.R. 241 |
U.S. 50-150 | S.R. 61 S.R. 441 |
S.R. 67 S.R. 550 |
(d) All other streets and roads are classified by the use of the communities they serve. The proposed street classifications for all streets and roads in the county are presented herein.
(6) Infrastructure.
(a) The county, like many other similar counties throughout the state, has an aging infrastructure system. This system consists of highways, local streets, public water systems, public wastewater systems, storm water drainage facilities, bridges, natural gas utilities, rail systems, electric generating and transmission systems and public telephone systems.
(b) While the systems in most cases are meeting current demands, it is imperative that the public and private groups overseeing these facilities take steps now to ensure the systems will meet current and projected future needs. It is also imperative that programs be developed to ensure that aging facilities are repaired or replaced so that they can continue to be used into the future.
(c) A number of recent improvement projects have been undertaken that have begun to implement these goals and many others are currently being planned. It is important to note that the purpose of this report is not to identify all of the infrastructure improvements that will be needed during the planning period. Instead, it is to overview the most significant planned improvements or studies underway that are under the jurisdiction of local governmental agencies, in order that the community can see how projects interconnect and to assist in the implementation of the plans.
(d) A list of key infrastructure improvements and studies that have occurred recently follows:
1. Vincennes Sewer Master Plan. This project identified the sewer needs of the City of Vincennes. It also evaluated the existing sewer system and made recommendations for expansion. These upgrades are currently in progress.
2. Vincennes Main Street Improvements. This project involved the construction of improvements along Main Street in downtown Vincennes including new brick pavers along the sidewalks, new pavement, new concrete curbs and gutters, and other landscaping features.
3. Riverfront Revitalization Study. This revitalization project will include construction of a scenic pedestrian walkway complete with exposed aggregate concrete pavement, landscaping, benches, and street lighting. Drainage improvements will also be considered as part of the project.
4. North Knox County Sewer Master Plan. This project identified the sewer needs of the northern portions of the county. It made recommendations for the expansion and implementation of needed sewer improvements. Although this effort has stalled over the past few years, local officials are currently working to re-start these activities for Bruceville, Bicknell, Edwardsport, Freelandville and their surrounding communities.
5. Sandborn and Westphalia Sewer Project. This project will involve the installation of low pressure sanitary sewers and a re-circulating sand filter system to serve the town of Sandborn, and eventually the town of Westphalia. Efforts are currently in the right-of-way and funding acquisition phases.
6. Oaktown Sewer Project. This project included the completion of a sewer master plan study, facility plan preparation and the design of the recommended improvements for the previously non-sewered Oaktown.
7. Decker Water Project. This feasibility study resulted in the recommendation of drilling additional water wells for the Town of Decker. Community grant funds have been obtained and construction contracts are currently being negotiated.
(E) Residential development considerations.
(1) Currently residential development in the county is occurring primarily in and around the City of Vincennes. Several subdivisions have been developed and several more are currently underway. Recent developments have been constructed northeast along Bruceville Road and Old U.S. Highway 50, and southeast along S.R. 61.
(2) A number of issues have repeatedly been a concern in recent residential developments. First, traffic flow from residential development onto collector streets has not been well organized. For example, multiple residences have been constructed with individual drives onto heavily traveled county roads, creating a traffic hazard. Consolidating the driveways to one access point off the county road would improve the situation.
(3) Second, as previously mentioned, residential developments have often not included sufficient drainage facilities. This will be improved after the implementation of a county drainage ordinance.
(4) Third, soil conditions have limited the effectiveness of on-site septic systems in many subdivisions. This has resulted in inadequate wastewater treatment, resulting in a health threat to nearby residents. It is desired that these conditions be improved through the construction of improved on site septic systems or by the extension of public sewers to the area. It is further desired that new developments be constructed on public sewers or with adequately sized septic systems designed with soil conditions and local topography under consideration.
(F) Commercial development considerations.
(1) Commercial activities are important both for the services they provide to the resident population and for their economic role in providing tax income and employment. Currently commercial development is occurring in four basic areas: Hart Street (Vincennes), 6th Street (Vincennes), Downtown (Vincennes) and Bicknell.
(2) A number of issues have also repeatedly been mentioned concerning commercial development. First, commercial development must have human-made or natural barriers to serve as a buffer between residential and commercial land use areas. These buffers will also help to protect against the build up of mixed-use areas. Secondly, the downtown riverfront historic district has been repeatedly mentioned as an area that commercial enhancement should occur, although there are concerns about preserving its historical integrity.
(G) Industrial development considerations.
(1) Industry is normally expected to support a substantial share of a community's population. Industrial development can both be a stabilizer of the tax base and can provide additional opportunities for the county's residents.
(2) There are several new industrial parks that have recently been proposed. Two are located outside Vincennes while the other industrial park is located in Bicknell.
(H) Agricultural development considerations.
(1) (a) The importance of agriculture to the county goes beyond land use analysis in that agriculture plays a critical part in defining the physical and functional character of the county. Large segments of the county rely upon farming for employment.
(b) The preservation of prime farmland has been a major issue at both the state and national levels.
(2) (a) Much discussion and research was devoted to determine if the county has experienced a decrease in prime cropland acres. Based upon an analysis of data provided by Ralph Gann, the Indiana State Statistician, and by Brad Summers with the Farm Service Agency, it was determined that although Knox county has experienced a decrease in "farmland" acres, the county has experienced little change in actual "cropland" acres since 1987.
(b) The table summarizes statistics for the county farmland and cropland.
Knox County Farm Land Use History Total Land Area = 330,150 acres | ||||
Year | Farmland | Cropland | Pasture | Woodland |
Knox County Farm Land Use History Total Land Area = 330,150 acres | ||||
Year | Farmland | Cropland | Pasture | Woodland |
1900 | 305,966 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
1910 | 309,087 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
1920 | 299,751 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
1930 | 291,383 | 176,953 | 52,379 | 7,320 |
1940 | 289,939 | 169,081 | n/a | n/a |
1950 | 309,771 | 202,243 | 58,731 | 10,023 |
1959 | 302,364 | 209,342 | n/a | 12,123 |
1964 | 297,518 | 194,764 | n/a | 12,766 |
1969 | 299,814 | 193,751 | n/a | n/a |
1974 | 286,481 | 215,283 | n/a | n/a |
1978 | 295,809 | 228,928 | 29,429 | 9,695 |
1982 | 291,246 | 241,122 | 20,095 | 12,613 |
1987 | 309,372 | 222,449 | 18,592 | 11,998 |
1992 | 305,634 | 258,958 | 16,307 | 11,305 |
1997 | 280,628 | 243,509 | 14,379 | 10,372 |
Source: Indiana Agricultural Statistics Service (http://www.nass.usda.gov/census/) U.S. Census of Agriculture, Assembled February, 1999. | ||||
(3) It is recognized that the county has the potential of losing "cropland" acres; however, at this time, such a trend has not been identified. This issue should be carefully addressed during future studies and updates to the comprehensive plan and supporting ordinances.
(4) Another concern for agriculture in the county is the widespread existence of mining operations. As shown herein, mining is very abundant in the county area. The coal reserves provided by the mining industry play an integral role in the county's economic health and will continue to be a tremendous factor in future generations. Mining provides jobs for a substantial portion of the county's population and also contributes considerable amounts to the county's tax base.
(5) Coal mining is recognized as only a temporary use of land. The reclamation of mining land back into farmland is another key issue for the preservation of the county's agriculture.
(Res. 2004-8, passed - -2004; Res. 5-2008, passed 12-15-2008)