Tri-County Community Guide 2023 | Page 13

exciting changes with relaxing restrictions for the county ’ s citizens .
“ We have kids back in school and that was a big concern of mine ,” White said , adding that with his own children he ’ s seen the benefit of brick-and-mortar classrooms . “ Teachers have really done a good job getting caught back up and I appreciate their efforts .”
Dealing with COVID cases seems to be something that will become a regular part of day-to-day life and White has been addressing the changes in that area with county staff .
“ We still do have employees that come down with Covid and we try to take precautions ,” White said . “ My policy has been that they stay out five days after their symptoms end .”
White hopes that in the coming years that the virus will be a concern less and less .
“ We ’ re starting to see people get stronger to the disease ,” he said .
FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES
The growth of programs and businesses that both enrich and beautify Whitley County are happening every year and White doesn ’ t see that changing .
“ We still have some things to do ,” he said , looking forward to the future . “ There are some other people looking at making significant investments in our community .”
This is the last year funds from the American Rescue Plan Act can be used . These funds were part of the national economic stimulus package that provided pandemic relief funds for governments across the country .
White plans on using the remaining funds to benefit public safety and help with infrastructure projects . The county has ordered four ambulances and several pieces of heavy

WHITLEY COUNTY AT A GLANCE

Square miles : 437.83
People per square mile : 83.8
Median age : 36.7
equipment to be used on county road projects .
“ I think this is the last year for those funds to be committed ,” he said , adding that some of the funds hadn ’ t been committed yet . “ We try to use them the best way we can .”
White was able to increase the pay for county employees with the funds and the county ’ s road department is also working on several projects , some of which will be benefited by the heavy equipment purchased .
“ We have a large blacktop project that we ’ re looking at starting ,” White said . “ The largest single project is on Black Diamond Road .”
White is also looking at how to best allocate funds from the settlement of a class-action lawsuit focused on the opioid epidemic while he waits to hear back from some large grant applications the county has submitted .
FAIRGROUND SUCCESS
The Whitley County Fairgrounds is quickly becoming a crowned jewel in the county ’ s quest for expanding tourism to the area .
White has overseen and is overseeing many
Unincorporated communities : Canada Town , Carpenter , Gatliff , Goldbug , Julip , Packard , Piney Grove , Saxton , Siler , Wofford , Woodbine , Yaden
SOURCES : WWW . CENSUS . GOV AND HTTPS :// DATAUSA . IO
projects at the fairgrounds , one of the biggest improvements was to build a roof over the horse show arena .
The reason for needing the roof over the horse show arena was that the county is hoping to build upon a successful rodeo that was held at the fairgrounds last year .
“ We are hoping they will come back in May ,” White said , adding that the fairgrounds was also the venue for a circus last year as well as the River Stomp Bluegrass Festival that brings acts and tourists from surrounding states to Whitley County .
Since the fairgrounds is becoming such a popular venue for events that last for days , White wants to continue to expand the campground .
“ We have proposed a project that would make a year-round [ recreational vehicle ] campground ,” he said .
In the past year , White said the fairground ’ s electrical system has been upgraded and is mostly complete with streetlights being the final stage of that upgrade , which is very near completion .
The Times-Tribune • Community Guide 2023 — Page 13