Home prices drop compared to 2019
HANCOCK COUNTY — Monthly real estate stats from F.C. Tucker Company for January 2020 show a 0.8% decrease in the average sale price of a home in Hancock County, to $214,382, compared to January 2019. The number of homes sold increased 8.4%, while home inventory decreased 22.2% compared to this time last year.
A 16-county central Indiana region saw increases in both home sales and home prices, while homes also continue to leave the market more quickly. The January 2020 average home sale price for the region increased to $217,886 compared to this time last year. Pending home sales increased 14.1%, and home inventory decreased by 11.9%.
Labor initiative coming to Indiana
WASHINGTON — Indiana is among the 12 states and the District of Columbia the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy has chosen to participate in its Visionary Opportunities to Increase Competitive Integrated Employment, or VOICE, initiative.
The chosen participants will receive support to help them develop policy designed to increase employment opportunities for people with mental health disabilities.
The states and D.C. will receive intensive policy consulting, technical support and peer mentoring to increase competitive integrated employment for people with mental health disabilities.
Other states selected were Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin.
Farm program deadline coming up
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture reminds agricultural producers interested in the Conservation Reserve Program to enroll by Feb. 28, 2020.
Signup is available to farmers and private landowners who are either enrolling for the first time or re- enrolling for another 10- to 15-year term.
Farmers and ranchers who enroll in the program receive yearly rental payments for voluntarily establishing long-term, resource-conserving plant species, such as approved grasses or trees (known as “covers”), which can control soil erosion, improve water quality and develop wildlife habitat on marginally productive agricultural lands.
To enroll, contact your local FSA county office or visit fsa.usda.gov/crp.
Hospitals generate economic impact
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Hospital Association cites a recent report stating Indiana hospitals have had a total statewide economic impact of about $48.2 billion.
The information was researched and compiled by IHA’s data partner, DataGen and the Hospital Association of New York State and reflects 2018 data. Indiana hospitals also generated 244,960 jobs, according to the report.
