Op-Ed: State lawmakers should look to city halls for ideas
Indianapolis Business Journal
Nearly a century ago, an associate justice of the United States Supreme Court popularized the idea that states can, and should, be the laboratories of the country. It’s a bold and uniquely American concept — that experimentation and innovation in Indiana could fuel growth and ideas in states across the country.
But what if we go a step further? What if cities like Noblesville could become the blueprint for Indiana? As state legislators identify the issues to tackle in the next legislative session, I’d advocate that they look to the successes in communities around Indiana and bring those blueprints to Indianapolis in January to implement statewide.
For example, as the seat of Hamilton County, Noblesville has a slew of aging buildings in our downtown core. Each year, we set aside $100,000 to fund commercial façade grants. It’s a local program that matches private dollars to rehabilitate buildings in our downtown district. We also set aside $500,000 every year for enhancements downtown. It’s funded directly by the Food & Beverage Tax, ensuring that out-of-town visitors also contribute to future projects in our community.
As we’ve invested in our downtown, we’ve reduced street-front vacancies to zero, increased the number of residents living around the square, and have an exponentially higher number of visitors heading to Noblesville. It’s a self-sustaining cycle.
I’m encouraged by the Indiana Economic Development Corps.’s READI program and concepts like Eric Doden’s Main Street Initiative that foster competition and tackle these problems proactively by leveraging private sector dollars.
But cities like Noblesville aren’t just battling hard costs. With an increasing number of Hoosiers citing mental health as an issue they are facing, we’re finding ways to reduce soft costs too.
As with any municipality, the cost to adequately fund public safety is the most significant slice of our expenses — 50.1% to be exact. That’s one of the reasons why we started NobleAct in 2020. This proactive paramedicine program helps us identify residents prone to slips, trips, and falls; address mental health issues before they arise; and reduce the number of calls to our fire department. And it’s already made a difference — we’re proactively reaching those who need a bit more help while saving taxpayer dollars with a net reduction in 911 calls.
In the upcoming session, Mayor Chris Jensen and State Senator Scott Baldwin will lead an initiative to take the successes of NobleAct statewide. Dubbed Indiana Community Cares, the program will equip cities and towns with a grant to invest in proactive and sustainable community paramedicine initiatives designed to assist and rehabilitate at-risk Hoosiers while reducing public safety expenses. It’s a win-win for communities around Indiana.
These are just a few of the many proactive and strategic steps we’re taking in Noblesville. From Mt. Vernon to Michigan City, and Morocco to Monroeville, there are cities and towns that are creating unique solutions to challenges that we could all learn and benefit from. Let’s empower our communities to be the laboratories for the state and create positive change for all Hoosiers.
Aaron Smith is the president of the Noblesville City Council