With the first council meeting of the new year slated for tonight, Cloverdale Town Council President Brandon Tancak has one eye on the past and the other set firmly on the future as Cloverdale comes off an "extremely busy year."
Despite the busy year last year, Tancak says there is still plenty on the horizon to keep himself and Cloverdale officials busy in the new year.
"We still have several large projects that are still in different stages, from planning to current construction. These projects have been funded already or are in the process of being funded. Examples include wastewater and stormwater projects, Beagle Club Road reconstruction, Interstate 70 water line project, new basketball court for the park, and new parking lot for Town Hall. For most of these projects, minus any unforeseen setbacks, they should be completed this year, which is exciting," Tancak told The Putnam County Post.
Another example of how great last year was is Poet reopening, which has helped spark the addition of a pilot plant for PCC Hydrogen, Inc., according to Tancak.
"Having PCC Hydrogen build and open its pilot plan this year is encouraging for the town in many aspects. When Poet reopened in 2023, this was a major contributor to PCC selecting Cloverdale as its location to build and invest," he said.
Tancak said some of the aforementioned projects are designed to help solicit "new, responsible growth" the town is looking for.
"From industrial, manufacturing, lodging, entertainment and restaurants just to name a few market segments for that area of town," Tancak said.
Tancak said a major area of focus in 2024 will be the "downtown" area of Cloverdale as a result of the success and groundwork that is in play for the I-70 and 231 intersection area.
"We need to shift our focus to the downtown area of Cloverdale for future planning to sustain and grow this area now, while maintaining our continued progress "uptown." Some state grants are leaning heavily on this sector for rural towns, and we will, hopefully, be able to capitalize on some of those this year for future growth," Tancak said.
In addition, he said growth within the current town limits, including housing, is a challenge he foresees for the immediate future.
"It takes developers, investors, money and time, but we will get there, I can assure the public of that. When we start to see housing developments go in, the rest will fall into place," Tancak said.
And, along the way, he is confident the stigma about Cloverdale will change.
"It's no secret that there has been a negative stigma for the past decade or longer about the Town of Cloverdale. Elected officials and community leaders are working to make Cloverdale a great place to live, work and raise a family. It takes a village and we will make it happen," Tancak said.
