The Buzz - 🎵🥁 White Lick "Bucket Band" Shines At Pacer Game, EDC Elects Officers & Approves Economic Development

 In This Issue of the Buzz 😀 

  🌞 Local Weather

⭐ Shop Local/Buy Local - Business

🎵🥁 White Lick “Bucket Band” Shines At Pacer Game

🏛️ EDC Elects Officers & Approves Economic Development

✳ School News - BHS Graduation, FAFSA Help, BHS Registering, BCSC Food and Clothing Pantry

 📆 Upcoming Local Events

Shop Local - Visit Our Local Businesses:

White Lick Elementary Honored & “Bucket Band” Performs At Pacer Game Last Night

Kudos to the Bucket Band of White Lick Elementary's 4th and 5th graders for their stellar performance at the Pacers pre-game event yesterday evening! Hats off to Mr. Callan for his leadership! A heartfelt thank you goes out to Principal Susan Wise and the entire dedicated staff for their role in making the event a triumph. Everyone enjoyed a fabulous time, capped off by the thrilling final moments of the Pacers game! Looking forward to possibly repeating this wonderful experience next year!

Additionally, a huge round of applause for White Lick once more, as they were honored by The Pacers Organization at the game for being the top school in the Pacers ticket fundraising effort! Outstanding effort!!!

Brownsburg EDC Elects New Officers and Approves 2023 Economic Development Annual Report

Economic Development Commission - Special Meeting - March 7, 2024

The Brownsburg Economic Development Commission (EDC) meeting encompassed several key activities and discussions centered around the election of officers, approval of previous meeting minutes, economic development reports, and other related topics. Here's a summarized account of the meeting:

• Election of Officers:

  • Nominations were opened for the positions of President, Vice President, and Secretary of the EDC.

  • Bob McLaughlin was nominated and accepted as President, Chris was nominated and accepted as Vice President, and Annette was nominated and accepted as Secretary. The nominations were seconded and unanimously approved with members saying "Aye."

• Approval of Minutes:

  • The commission addressed the process of approving minutes, especially concerning new members voting on minutes for meetings they did not attend. Clarification was provided that new members could vote after reviewing the minutes, and there were no legal issues with this practice. The minutes from the previous meeting were reviewed and unanimously approved by the commission.

• Economic Development Annual Report:

  • The 2023 Economic Development Annual Report was discussed, highlighting economic development investments in Brownsburg through direct projects and commercial permit applications, totaling an estimated capital investment of $64.2 million, with $8.7 million from direct EDC projects and $55.5 million from other commercial and industrial projects. The report noted the extended impact of these investments over time.

  • The report indicated a decrease in economic development numbers compared to 2022, attributing part of the previous year's high numbers to specific developments. Suggestions were made for including prior year comparisons in future reports for better tracking and understanding of trends.

• Discussion on Economic Development Incentives and Policies:

  • Details of economic development incentives approved by the town council were recapped, including tax abatements and vacant building deductions for several projects. The commission's role in reviewing and approving certain incentives was clarified.

  • The meeting touched on participation in county and regional economic development meetings and the importance of these interactions for the town's economic development strategy.

  • A query was raised about the possibility of reviewing and updating the incentive policies, noting the challenge of doing so given the department's limited resources. It was acknowledged that some policies might need revisiting, but a specific timeline for this was not provided.

• Miscellaneous:

  • The meeting briefly addressed queries regarding the demolition of certain properties for future mixed-use development, aiming to enhance retail and residential opportunities downtown.

  • No new matters were brought up for consideration, and the meeting concluded with reminders for necessary signatures on approved minutes and an acknowledgment of the ongoing responsibility to review and update incentive policies as needed.

To view the meeting in it’s entirety and view the minutes, go to: Town of Brownsburg.com

CR 400 Road Improvements Project

(Road Closure Delayed)

UPDATE (February 29): The E CR 400 N. road closure has been delayed and will begin on or after March 8.

REMINDER: Starting on or after March 1, E. CR 400 N., from Ronald Reagan Parkway to 950 E., will be closed for road reconstruction and bridge replacement. The road will remain closed through the end of June. During this time, the detour route will use E. CR 300 N.

To get more information about this project, visit https://www.brownsburg.org/703/CR-400-Road-Improvements.

Shop Local - Visit Our Local Businesses:

BCSC Food and Clothing Pantry

The BCSC Provision Center, in collaboration with Gleaners Food Bank, offers food and clothing assistance. This successful initiative is made possible by the dedicated efforts of community members, staff volunteers, and students participating in the BHS Collaborators for Success program. It's a vital support for numerous families in Brownsburg, bolstered by generous contributions from BCSC families, enhancing its role as a community asset.

This resource will be available again on March 21st from 3 PM to 5:30 PM, operating as a drive-through service. This setup is standard on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Thursdays each month. Families can drive up to door #7 at the ALPHA/Harris Academy, located at 725 C South Green Street.

For any inquiries regarding the provision center, Tracy Damone can be reached at [email protected].

Registration for Returning Students for 2024-2025 Begins Monday, March 11

Look for the link for online registration for next school year in your email on Monday, March 11. This registration is required annually for all returning students. (This is different from course registration at BHS in January/February.) Please complete the registration forms before Spring Break begins. The deadline is March 22, 2024.

(Excerpted from the BHS Team 2024 Newsletter)

Registration for Returning Students for 2024-2025 Begins Monday, March 11

Look for the link for online registration for next school year in your email on Monday, March 11. This registration is required annually for all returning students. (This is different from course registration at BHS in January/February.) Please complete the registration forms before Spring Break begins. The deadline is March 22, 2024.

Making plans for next year?

The 2024-2025 BCSC school year calendar was approved by the School Board last spring. CLICK HERE to view. Expect the 2025-2026 calendar to be approved and posted in the coming weeks.

Brownsburg High School Graduation

Brownsburg High School Graduation will be at 10am on Saturday, June 8th, 2024. If there is rain the following plans will fall into place

Rain Plan B: Saturday, June 8th at 2pm

Rain Plan C: Saturday, June 8th at 6pm

Rain Plan D: Sunday, June 9th at 2pm

Graduation Practice will be on Friday, June 7th at 10am. Students who plan to walk at graduation must be present for practice.

2024-2025 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

The 2024-2025 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is now available to file at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa .

Filing the FAFSA is the most important step in the financial aid process and determines eligibility for both state of Indiana and federal aid. Students pursuing short-term certificate training, associate/bachelor’s degrees and even some apprenticeships may receive financial aid by completing the FAFSA. The state deadline to file is April 15, 2024. Check the financial aid websites of post-secondary institutions for deadline information because some have sooner deadlines. It is recommended to file the FAFSA as soon as possible. The attached flyer includes information for how, when, and what you need to file the FAFSA. Please note the FAFSA requires 2022 tax return information.

Creating an FSA ID (Federal Student Aid log-in) is the first step, and both the student and at least one parent need an account. There is a delay from the time the FSA ID is created until you can use it, so it is recommended to do this well ahead of time before starting and submitting the FAFSA. To create the FSA ID, visit https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch . The FSA ID is how students and parents sign and submit the FAFSA.

Here are some helpful financial aid websites to learn more about the FAFSA:

· https://studentaid.gov/

· https://learnmoreindiana.org/paying-for-college/fafsa/

A video recording of our September financial aid presentation by INvestEd can also be found on the Team 2024 website at https://bhs.brownsburg.k12.in.us/brownsburg-high-school/team-2024

Note: The Indiana General Assembly passed Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 167-2023 which requires high school seniors to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or affirmatively opt out of filing by April 15th. If you plan to opt out, please fill out the FAFSA Waiver Form at https://www.in.gov/che/files/57326-2024-2025-FAFSA-Nonparticipation-for-Students-Graduating-2023-2024-1.pdf, and submit it to the Team 2024 office by April 15th.

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BHS FAFSA Help Night

On Monday, March 18th, BHS will be hosting another FAFSA Completion Help Night. Seniors and families are encouraged to attend for FREE help in completing this crucial financial aid form. Experts from INvestEd will help you file the FAFSA with confidence while avoiding common mistakes. Families may come in anytime between 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. for assistance. It will take place in the BHS Cafeteria and entrance is through Door 6. This is not a presentation, but rather a time for students and families to receive assistance with the FAFSA. We will have laptops available for this event.This is also a great opportunity should you have financial aid questions.

Important note from INvestEd: There is a delay from the time the FSA ID is created until the family is able to use it (possibly 1-4 days). Therefore, we strongly encourage students and parents create this account well ahead of the FAFSA workshop. If you need help, you can use INvestEd’s Creating your FSA ID worksheet or call their team at 317-715-9007.

INvestEd is an Indiana not-for-profit and has offered FREE help to families for over 40 years. For more information on INvestEd check out their website: https://www.investedindiana.org/ .

Upcoming Local Events

March 2024

• VITA Free Tax Prep

  • Date: (Ongoing through various dates)

  • Description: Free tax preparation for individuals and families with a combined household income of $66,000 or less in 2023, by IRS-certified volunteers.

  • More Information: Brownsburg Public Library website​​.

• Improv Now

  • Date: March 11, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.

  • Description: An improv event promising a night of entertainment and laughter.

  • Location: Eaton Hall, 61 N. Green Street, Brownsburg, IN 46112

  • More Information: Greater Indiana Florida College Booster Club

• Board of Zoning Appeals - Monthly Meeting

  • Date: March 11, 2024 - 6:00pm

  • Description: A public meeting held by the Board of Zoning Appeals

  • More Info.: Town of Brownsburg

• Park Authority Meeting

  • Date: March 14, 2024

  • Description: A public meeting held by the Park Authority.

  • More Information: Brownsburg Parks​​.

• Teen Glow Egg Hunt

  • Date: March 15, 2024

  • Description: A nighttime glow-in-the-dark egg hunt for teens aged 12-16, featuring a color blast battle, sword fights, and a glow dance party.

  • More Information: Brownsburg Parks​​.

• Morning Bird Hike

  • Date: March 16, 2024

  • Description: A morning birdwatching hike led by a naturalist, encouraging all birders to join.

  • More Information: Brownsburg Parks​​.

• GRP Cars & Coffee

  • Date: March 16, 2024

  • Description: Hosted by Graham Rahal Performance, this event features free admission, free donuts and coffee, a bounce house, and a lineup of GRP’s latest inventory. A family-friendly event encouraging guests to bring their cars or motorcycles.

  • More Information: AllEvents.in - GRP Cars & Coffee​​.

• Flea Market

  • Date: March 16, 2024

  • Description: Shop home goods, clothing, props, costumes, new shoes, Disney collectibles, Loungefly bags, and much more at the Flea Market. Multiple families & vendors will be present, with space available for vendors to rent.

  • More Information: AllEvents.in - Flea Market​​.

• Lock-In

  • Date: March 22, 2024, from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

  • Description: An overnight event filled with various activities for attendees.

  • Location: The Flow Space, 8131 Kingston Street; Suite 500, Avon, IN 46123

  • More Information: Greater Indiana Florida College Booster Club

• Experience FC

  • Date: March 29, 2024

  • Description: An opportunity for individuals to experience what Florida College has to offer through various presentations and activities.

  • More Information: Greater Indiana Florida College Booster Club