BROWNSTOWN

Once the Jackson County Judicial Center is built in Brownstown, local officials expect more people to be in the county seat.

Not only do they plan to see more businesses set up shop in town, they also think more people will call Brownstown home.

For that reason, a list of available places to rent in town is being developed so it’s readily accessible.

Conner Barnette, vice president of Brownstown/Ewing Main Street and member of the Brownstown Chamber of Commerce board of directors, is in the process of putting that list together and will be the one maintaining it.

Anyone who owns property in town that is available to rent, including homes, apartments or duplexes, should call Barnette at 812-358-9986 to share the information. That would include general information and photos of the property and contact information for the owner.

The information will be posted on a new website or added to the chamber or Brownstown/Ewing Main Street website.

“That way, we’ve got a website, almost like a Realtor’s site, but it’s for rentals because I don’t think there’s anybody that’s providing that service right now,” Barnette said. “We’re just starting to put this list together. It’s the best way to get the information out there.”

He said the idea came about after learning the chamber office often receives phone calls from people inquiring about what’s available to rent.

“We have a ton of people come in that are saying there’s nowhere to live at,” he said. “There are not very many houses for sale in Brownstown, and the rentals, there’s just nowhere to find out (the information). Especially if you’re coming from outside of Brownstown and don’t know anybody, you have no idea what’s for rent.”

Barnette is involved with a committee, including chamber, town council and Brownstown/Ewing Main Street members, looking at the needs for the town with the opening of the judicial center scheduled no later than November of 2018.

“And what we can do to help people find housing, what we can do to create more housing, what we can do to renovate what we’ve got and find contractors that will come in and do the work,” he said.

The judicial center at 109 S. Sugar St., which will include space for four courtrooms and court-related offices.

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To be included on a list of properties available for rent in Brownstown, call Conner Barnette at 812-358-9986.

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