Category Archives: News & Events

Updates, messages and other announcements are posted under this category with the intent to notify residents. Posts under this category are emailed in a newsletter at the end of the day.

Mayor Leichty honored to host Governor Holcomb and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation

The City of Goshen and the Goshen Chamber of Commerce yesterday hosted Governor Eric Holcomb and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). The board had a series of meetings as part of their quarterly business event followed by a public session at the Goshen Theater with more than 100 people in attendance.

“We’re so glad Governor Holcomb and the IEDC team chose Goshen as their host for the third quarter meeting,” said Mayor Leichty. “It was great to spend some time with the Governor and his team today, hear his plans for economic development in the state, and also to be able to share our vision for Goshen’s future.”

During the public session, Governor Holcomb and board members reported on IEDC’s key initiatives, an update on the Governor’s recent trip to Japan, and details about the launch of READI 2.0. The Governor also spoke about Indiana’s procurement of the Department of Defense’s $32.9 million grant as part of the CHIPS and Science Act for microelectronics development.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) is charged with growing the state economy, driving economic development, and helping businesses launch, grow and locate in the state. Led by the Indiana Secretary of Commerce, David Rosenberg, and governed by a 15-member board chaired by Governor Eric J. Holcomb.

Goshen recognized for outstanding environmental planning

The Indiana Association of Floodplain and Stormwater Managers (INAFSM) awarded the City of Goshen the Outstanding Floodplain Project Award for creating and implementing the Goshen Flood Resilience Plan during its annual conference last week.  

The annual statewide award recognizes an outstanding municipality or manager who has instituted a proactive approach to water resource management in Indiana. 

“Environmental preparedness is vital for the well-being of our community,” said Mayor Gina Leichty, “Successful implementation requires the help of a whole team. Fortunately, Goshen’s talented leaders are guiding Goshen towards a more sustainable future.” 

“It is an honor for us to be recognized by the Indiana Association of Floodplain and Stormwater Managers as the 2023 recipient of the Outstanding Floodplain Project award winner for the City’s work to help our community be more flood resilient,” said Jason Kauffman, Stormwater Coordinator.

The Flood Resilience Plan was developed after the City experienced its most significant flood event in recorded history in 2018. The City partnered with Christopher B Burke Engineering, LLC to create a study that identified at-risk areas and outlined practical ways of addressing the problem. The plan was passed unanimously by the Goshen City Council in July 2022.  

Recommendations within the plan ranged from specific actions undertaken by various city departments to ordinance updates that limit high-risk development and incentivize future growth outside flood hazard areas. 

More info about the City’s plans to address flooding and additional resources can be found here

City employees and elected officials integral to the creation and implementation of the Goshen Flood Resilience Plan with Mayor Leichty.  (Front L to R: Jason Kauffman, Stormwater Coordinator; Mayor Gina Leichty; City Councilor Julia King; Mattie Lehman, GIS Coordinator. Back L to R: Deputy Mayor Mark Brinson; Aaron Sawatsky-Kingsley, Environmental Resilience Director; Dustin Sailor, Public Works Director; City Councilor Matt Schrock; Tanya Heyde, Parks and Recreation Director; Ryan Miller, Stormwater Specialist)

Final brush collection of 2023

The final brush pickup of the year will begin the week of September 25, 2023.

During scheduled brush collections, the Street Department will make only one pass through the city to pick up brush. Please have your brush by the front curb, but not in the street, by 7:00 a.m. in the morning on the first day. Brush will not be picked up in alleys. The piles of brush should be trash-free. Crews cannot access the piles if blocked by vehicles.

The brush trailer program now runs throughout the year, weather permitting. The trailer can be reserved for the removal of large amounts of brush.  If a homeowner is trimming their own bushes or trees, they can schedule a trailer to be dropped off to put their brush in.  This program is for the homeowner only and is not to be used by private landscaping or tree-trimming professionals. This program is free of charge as long as only brush is placed in the trailer. 

For more information regarding the Brush Trailer, as well as Dial-A-Trailer, go to goshenindiana.org/street-department.

City of Goshen claims $1 million grant for trees and arbor education

L to R: Theresa Sailor, DER Grantwriter and Educator; Melanie Helmuth, Forestry Assistant; Aaron Sawatsky-Kingsley, DER Director and City Forester

The City of Goshen’s Environmental Resilience department today announced that it successfully procured a $1 million grant from the United States Forest Service. Funding from the grant will grow the City’s urban forestry program, providing area students with arboriculture education, expanding our tree stock, and supporting robust public education on tree care. 

“A healthy tree canopy offers both physical and economic benefits to our community,” said Mayor Gina Leichty. “I’m grateful to the Environmental Resilience team for their hard work and bringing essential funding to expand Goshen’s tree canopy.” 

Studies show that communities with access to trees and green spaces are associated with improved health outcomes, reduced crime, lower average temperatures, and an influx of other kinds of investments and new economic opportunities. Through funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, the Forest Service is making historic investments in boosting the nation’s tree cover in urban, suburban, and rural communities nationwide. 

“This kind of funding is transformative for a community like ours, which is preparing for the effects of climate change,” said Aaron Sawatsky-Kinglsey, Director of the Department of Environment Resilience. “This grant will help to power our 45% urban tree canopy goal, keeping us cooler, reducing our energy demands, and improving our urban environment. Caring for trees is caring for people.” 

The agency has selected 385 grant proposals from entities that are working to increase equitable access to trees and green spaces and the many benefits they provide. 100% of funding will flow to disadvantaged communities, and funded proposals are located in all 50 states, two U.S. territories, three U.S.-affiliated Pacific islands and several tribal communities. 

Goshen Parks Master Plan Survey

The Goshen Parks Department needs the community’s help to update the Parks Master Plan, which outlines strategies the department will pursue to continuously improve facilities and services over the next five years. The assignment of the Goshen Park and Recreation Department is to support a healthier community, by increasing marketing efforts and programming to a changing demographic and a diverse community that encourages seniors, young adults, families, teens, and children into the parks.

Here are a few ways you can get involved and help to decide the future of Goshen Parks!

  1. Completing our survey is one of the ways you can share your thoughts and comments on what you would like to see in your parks.
  2. Please invite your friends and family to take this survey too!

English – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/goshen-parks

The survey will be open until September 22.

Upload photos that represent what you love about Goshen Parks and Trails by using our photo survey link.

¡El Departamento de Parques de Goshen está actualizando el Plan Maestro de Parques y necesitamos su ayuda!

¡Aquí hay algunas maneras en que puede participar y ayudar a decidir el futuro de los parques de Goshen!

  1. Tome nuestra encuesta en la que puede compartir sus pensamientos y comentarios sobre lo que le gustaría ver en sus parques.
  2. ¡Por favor, invite a sus amigos y familiares a tomar esta encuesta también!

Español – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/goshen-parks?lang=es

La encuesta estará abierta hasta el 22 de Septiembre.

Sube fotos que representen lo que te encanta de los parques y senderos de Goshen link.

To view the Parks Master Plan for 2019-2023 click here.

N. Indiana Recycling Drop-Off Center to Be Closed September 14 and 15

On Thursday and Friday, September 14 and 15, the section of N. Indiana Avenue between the railroad tracks and Wilden Avenue will be closed for road reconstruction (note: these dates are weather-dependent). During this time the N. Indiana Recycling Drop-Off Center will be closed to the public. Please plan accordingly to drop off recyclables before or after the road project. The City of Goshen appreciates everyone’s patience and cooperation as we work to improve this section of roadway.

For more information on road closures in the City of Goshen visit https://bit.ly/GoshenRoadClosureMap.

2023 Trick or Treat Hours

The City of Goshen’s 2023 suggested trick-or-treat hours are Saturday, October 28, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

For trick-or-treaters:

  • Kindly adhere to the designated trick-or-treat hours.
  • Visit homes with lit porch lights only, and never enter unfamiliar houses.

For treat providers and adults:

  • If you prefer not to participate, kindly switch off your porch lights.
  • Motorists, exercise caution by driving slowly and staying alert for pedestrians.
  • Ensure your driveway and porch are well-lit, and remove any potential tripping hazards from walkways when distributing treats.

NIPSCO Gas Work to Impact S. Indiana Avenue

For more information on this project and other road construction projects visit the City’s interactive Road Closure Map: bit.ly/GoshenRoadClosureMap.

NIPSCO Gas informed the City of Goshen of upcoming road work to install a new gas line that will be taking place on Berkey Avenue and S. Indiana Avenue starting next week on September 5 and going until October 27 (weather dependent). There are three phases to NIPSCO’s work and they are as follows:

Phase 1 – Lane Restrictions (only during the day) with Flaggers from September 5 – September 22 on Berkey Avenue (from Wheatland Drive to S. Indiana Avenue) and S. Indiana Avenue.

Phase 2 – Lane Restrictions (only during the day) with Flaggers from September 22 – October 6 on S. Indiana Avenue north and south of the intersection with Berkey Avenue.

Phase 3 – Lane Shift with 2-Way Traffice from October 6 – October 27 on S. Indiana Avenue at the intersection with W. Plymouth Avenue to just north of the entrance to the parking lot of First Baptist Church.

August Stormwater Toolbox Newsletter

Read the newsletter by clicking the following link: https://bit.ly/SWNewsAugust2023.

The goal of the Goshen Stormwater Department is clean water for everyone and everything. One way this is achieved is through public education and the Stormwater Toolbox Newsletter is one of many ways this is accomplished.

In this month’s newsletter, there are three articles:

  1. Updating SOPs – The City is required to update standard operating procedures (SOPs) to comply with the City’s MS4 General Permit and is working with Wessler Engineering to accomplish this.
  2. Pollywogging is a method of searching for freshwater mussels and as another National Water Quality Month comes to a close the importance of freshwater mussels to water quality is highlighted.
  3. Find out the origins of the word “Stream” in the next installment of “Why are there so many words for waterways?”.

If you have concerns about stormwater drainage or water quality issues or have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact the Goshen Stormwater Department at stormwater@goshencity.com or 574-534-2201.