Article submitted by Jamie Fleury, The Pilot News Staff Writer
MARSHALL COUNTY — The Plymouth Common Council will be deciding whether to support the Blue Zones Project during the meeting Monday.
Several weeks ago, the council delayed the decision to enable Councilman Greg Compton time to review the project initiatives in more detail. The council tabled the request for $520,000 in support of the project during the last meeting.
Director of Marshall County Community Foundation and United Way Linda Yoder indicated that support from the council would prime the Blue Zones Project for READI Grant submission. The hope is to be the first county in the State of Indiana to achieve Blue Zones Designation.
The initiative focuses on health and wellness on a community level to provide individuals with the opportunity to live long, better and more satisfying lives. The establishment of a comprehensive plan for health and wellness through Blue Zones will create a “roadmap” to engage every aspect of the community including worksites, schools, restaurants, and grocery stores.
The project focuses on policies, people and places; setting the tone and pace for continued growth – not only growth of the initiative but personal growth of the mind of each individual. Yoder said that the designation also increases other funding opportunities.
The $6.1 M investment has the potential for a high return on investment (ROI) over the next decade. The 10-year projected impact of a Blue Zones transformation in Marshall County has a projected medical cost savings of $64.2 M and a reduction in projected workforce lost productivity of $99.9 M. These two sources of value result in a projected $473 average annual per capita medical saving and productivity improvement value for the adult population of Marshall County over the next decade, all benefits to the local economy, businesses, and hardworking families.
The many existing efforts to improve overall health in Marshall County have not been effective. Blue Zones consultants and experts will help prioritize projects for efficacy. Rather than continue to do what is being done with disappointing results, Councilman Jeff Houin said, “I think that we need a better approach and I think Blue Zones offers that better approach.” Houin noted that several municipalities are waiting for Plymouth’s leadership.
Resolution No. 2022-1002, A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Plymouth Pledging Financial Support for the Marshall County Blue Zones Project used the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding as a benchmark to establish the amount of support; however City of Plymouth Attorney Sean Surrisi said the funding could be appropriated using any fund that the council deemed fit. The pledged amount of support can be distributed over a period of four years.
Surrisi who sits on the Executive Committee spoke in favor of the project. “I think it’s a big economic development issue beyond just quality of life and health.”
Councilman Robert Listenberger recommended full support of the evidence-based and measurable initiative noting benefit to future generations. “Sitting at this table we may not benefit much but I’ve got grand babies now. I can see where this will benefit them.”
Hesitation was expressed by Councilman Greg Compton regarding the cost. While the project engages partnerships with faith based communities, he argued that 60% of Marshall County’s population is “unchurched”. He said there are already social interaction opportunities in place including parks, Mayor’s Month of Music and the Brew Fest. “Those are all social things. Church is as well. When people are active and the schools are active, I think $6.1M to spend on the Blue Zone, we’re never gonna be, you know where some of the Blue Zones where people live to be 110 years old where they live off the land, well that’s not Indiana.”
The council deliberated on a possible reduced measure of support to Blue Zones in the amount of $320,000 and using the remaining $200,000 for infrastructure such as sidewalks. Councilman Duane Culp expressed concerns over pending purchases and potential continued economic decline.
The amendment to reduce the amount of support to $320,000 made by Councilman Don Ecker died for lack of a second. City of Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter said he would not be opposed to tabling the issue to have further discussion. The council approved tabling the motion for support for further discussion.
In a follow-up interview with members of the Marshall County Crossroads Team and community leaders, several expressed support.
Successfully decreasing the rate of illness by making the healthy choice the easy choice will have a profound positive effect on health care and the overall economy for our communities. “Higher well-being results in fewer hospitalizations, lower medical event and disease rates. and lower lifestyle risks,” said Marshall County Crossroads Vice President, Marty Oosterbaan. “For employers, optimal well-being leads to higher performing, healthier and more productive individuals and businesses.”
Ginny Munroe, Crossroads Board member and Culver Town Manager added, “Changing the focus of health care from treating sick patients to building healthy people and growing a community’s health and well-being makes perfect sense if we wish to decrease the burden of illness for Marshall County. “
“Moving upstream by preventing obesity, avoiding tobacco, decreasing loneliness, addressing mental illness, and stopping drug addiction early in the development of these toxic forces is much more effective than any later treatment,” said Yoder, who also serves as the Crossroads Health and Wellness Committee Co-Chair. “The opportunity for a major shift in our thinking about our community health is here. Blue Zones provides a framework with a proven track record and measurable results to help change our focus to preventative health.”
Gary Niedig, President and CEO of ITAMCO, said, “Blue Zones brings a holistic approach to health and wellness. For too long we have been reactive in our methods to assist our fellow citizens in their life journey. Creating and executing strategies that enable people to take ownership of their wellness by providing healthy options, will not only help those in our community but will attract a population that is looking for the other positive aspects that Marshall County has to offer.”
Councilman Listenberger, who had expressed full support of the project, said in a follow-up interview, “Blue Zones is an overall effort and cultural shift at how we look to improve the health, both mental and physical, in our community. Marshall County is clearly falling short in battling obesity, smoking, and alcohol consumption. It provides the much needed guidance and oversight that ties industry, schools, families, neighborhoods and local government policies together in reaching the #1 goal of improving Marshall County’s Health Matrix. With the Blue Zones model, we can expect to see measurable results for generations to come.”
The Plymouth Common Council meets Monday, May 9th at 6:30 p.m. in the Mayor’s Council Room.
