JDAI gets approval, along with KEDCO small business loans at county commissioners meeting

County Commissioners Bob Conley (L) and Cary Groninger (R) listen to Circuit Judge Michael Reed talk about JDAI at the Tuesday, February 2nd commissioners meeting. (Photo: Nick Deranek/News Now Warsaw)

The Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative will be continuing for another year in Kosciusko County.

Circuit Judge Michael Reed made the request to the county commissioners on Tuesday morning, who unanimously approved Reed’s request. The initiative gives officials other options other than detention for those juveniles who committed a crime. The program was originally started by the late Judge David Cates, who got things moving in 2018. The initiative is paid through a state grant of $80,000.

Also happening at the commissioners meeting on Tuesday, there was unanimous approval for small business loans that the county approved for KEDCO last year for $100,000. Suzie Light spoke on behalf of the organization, saying the funds have yet to be used.