Where Tradition Fuels Innovation

An engaging and welcoming community embracing dynamic growth

Situated in the heart of Dubois County, Jasper is a thriving city in Indiana, celebrated for its industrious spirit, cultural vibrancy, and commitment to progress. Known for its engaged and welcoming community, Jasper takes pride in its safe neighborhoods, pristine streets, and beautifully maintained parks. Rooted in German heritage, the city has evolved into a friendly and diverse community with an abundance of opportunities for all.

The Heart of Jasper

Jasper’s downtown area is experiencing a revival, thanks to the city’s main street program, known as Heart of Jasper. As part of the efforts, a facade grant program was introduced, offering up to $10,000 in matching funds for exterior improvements. “That program has been very successful and has driven other investments from neighboring businesses in the downtown area,” Mayor Vonderheide notes. “We’ve seen a great turnaround in a downtown that wasn’t thriving.”

As downtown Jasper continues its transformation into a vibrant hub for residents and visitors, investments in infrastructure, streetscapes and public spaces have helped to attract new businesses to the area. “We put all the hardscaping and all the hard stuff in, but the Heart of Jasper, they really work to activate and bring the human element into play,” says Josh Gunselman, Director of Community Development and Planning. “Last year alone, they attracted over 22 businesses, either new or relocated into that area based on the work that they’re doing and the revitalization effort that we’re having in the community.”

The Thyen-Clark Cultural Center, housing the Jasper Public Library and Jasper Arts, serves as an anchor to the downtown. This collaborative project between the city and the public library draws talent and visitors for art exhibitions, performances, and educational programs. “We were the first city in Indiana and we’re only one of maybe three that actually have an arts department as part of their city government. And they do an amazing job as they look to celebrate 50 years in 2024,” conveys Gunselman.

A Thriving Business Landscape

Gunselman says the city’s recent economic development efforts include work towards the conversion of a landfill into a solar plant and maintaining shovel-ready sites for potential businesses. “Where we’ve really seen the greatest success is our homegrown small businesses that have become national and international companies throughout the time,” he touts. “We’ve got around half a dozen significantly large employers that employ 11,000 people in the area, who have all originated here in their early years.”

Jasper has a rich history as a center for the furniture industry, with companies like Kimball International and MasterBrand Cabinets known internationally for their quality products. “Those are two public companies in the furniture industry that have grown substantially,” imparts the Mayor. “We also retain several privately held companies in the furniture industry.” The city’s landscape has shifted over time, with major companies like Kimball Electronics, a public corporation serving the automotive, medical, and public safety industries, and Jasper Engines and Transmissions, a privately held ESOP company, bringing economic diversity to the community. “We’re continuing to see that kind of growth, as well as logistics companies that have expanded and grown with a national footprint and into Canada and Mexico. As a regional hub for industry, we want to be successful,” says Vonderheide.

In addition, Jasper is well positioned as a key player in the growth of the WestGate@Crane Development. With the naval depot and its associated manufacturing base expanding, there will be an increased demand for high-tech workers, and Jasper is well-suited to meet this need, offering an ideal environment for remote workers and small startups.

Infrastructure and Connectivity

Jasper has prioritized infrastructure to support its growth. The city boasts extensive fiber connectivity, thanks to collaborations with companies like Smithville, ensuring high-speed internet access throughout the community. Investments in water, sewer, and electrical systems are also underway, including the connection of a backup water supply, in partnership with the Patoka Lake Regional Water and Sewer District, to ensure safe and accessible water for residents in the future.

The city has also been replacing wastewater lines, and a plan is in place to add a $18 million wastewater facility to support growth and address environmental concerns. A new electrical substation is also being developed to enhance capacity and prepare for growth. Gunselman acknowledges, “The thing about infrastructure, housing, and people, it’s a cycle. You just have to go through all those processes. We do own our utilities, and we do a really good job of keeping them up to date and in good working order. But now we’re at the point where we’re increasing the capacity of those systems so we can bring houses online, and so we can accept the people who are wanting to move here.”

Housing and Community Development

With a consistent annual growth rate of over 1% for more than a decade, Jasper is addressing its housing needs to support its growing population. Historically, the city’s housing inventory consisted largely of single-family homes and apartment buildings. However, the city is adapting to fit the current needs, as Gunselman recounts, “We’ve taken a more mindful approach to try to address the missing middle in some of those developments, and we are also looking at adding workforce housing and more affordable housing to our inventory.”

To further these efforts, Jasper has collaborated with university students to explore strategies for promoting infill housing in older parts of the city. “Indiana University works with municipalities in providing student capacity to address different problems,” Gunselman details. Recently, the focus was on infill housing, and how to structure programs and ordinances to allow for development on smaller lots in the older areas of the community. “We’re trying to look at strategies to promote infill and get more economic value from the land that we currently have,” he emphasizes. “At the same time, we’re still looking at traditional housing starts and more of that missing middle. Really, it’s just taking the landscape and being more open to different types of housing options as we try to meet the demand of people moving into the area.”

Parks, Trails, and Recreation

Jasper’s commitment to quality of life is evident in its exceptional parks and trail systems. “We have a park in the center of town that used to be a golf course. It’s been converted into what we call the Parklands. We have a trail system and network of about two miles running through that,” portrays Mayor Vonderheide. “We have also been extending the Riverwalk, which was along the east side of the downtown area. We have beautiful, well-maintained, well-equipped parks. Our residents feel like that is a significant part of our identity, and our parks are well used for all age groups and abilities.”

The city’s focus on health and wellness is further exemplified by the ongoing development of the Regional Wellness Center, which will support the recreational needs of Jasper and the surrounding area. The center, currently in the design phase, will feature amenities like full-size basketball courts, an indoor track, workout areas, and specialized spaces for activities. It will also include a large aquatics area. “Conceptually, we would like to embrace partnerships with the local hospital and medical services, whether it’s some type of health services or mental health services,” says Mayor Vonderheide. “There are a lot of things that could be offered in this centralized location.”

Sports Tourism is another area of growth for the city, bringing in an influx of visitors to attend regional tournaments in Jasper’s top-notch facilities. “They support our tourism and our restaurants and our small businesses in town as they come in and play baseball or basketball,” Gunselman highlights. “Probably much like a lot of places, we could use some more capacity. And that’s one of the reasons that the Regional Wellness Center is so important, because it will serve as an additional space for sports tourism, which has become so popular here the past few years.”

A Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, Gunselman shares the city’s collaborative approach and commitment to long-term planning, noting that Jasper’s strategic vision ensures that growth is sustainable and beneficial for all. “We are bound to the process of coming together as a community, establishing the plan, and moving forward on that plan together. That’s why we’ve been able to see the growth year over year and nurture these types of businesses to the level that they are. It is because of that continuity of the plan.”

As Mayor Vonderheide enters his final term, his attention is on ensuring Jasper’s continued success. “My focus is on the future,” he underscores. “I want this community to have great leaders that are going to carry us into the future and do the things that we need to be doing for generations to come.”

At a Glance

Jasper, Indiana
What: A thriving city with much to offer
Where: Dubois County, Indiana
Website: https://www.jasperindiana.gov