Jasper, IN

Steady Leadership and a Clear Path Forward

City Growth & Momentum That Carries Through Transition

 

In southern Indiana, the City of Jasper continues to stand out as a community that values deliberate planning, steady leadership, and sustained collaboration. Over the past year alone, the city has advanced a wide range of initiatives that collectively reinforce its long-term vision. From downtown revitalization and housing development to infrastructure investment, parks, and economic development, Jasper is demonstrating how consistent execution can translate planning into measurable progress.

As the city approaches a leadership transition later this spring, Jasper finds itself in a position of confidence rather than uncertainty. Major projects that were once conceptual are now complete; others are moving forward; and new initiatives are being shaped through community engagement and updated planning. The momentum built over the last several years is not slowing. Instead, it is setting the foundation for Jasper’s next phase of growth.

Investing in Walkability, Safety, and Street Life

Downtown Jasper has undergone a transformation that reflects both thoughtful design and a clear understanding of how public spaces shape community life. The completed Main Street renovation has modernized aging infrastructure while enhancing the historic character that defines the city’s core.

“Main Street has been completed, that project and the downtown renovation,” says Mayor Dean Vonderheide. “We finished up last fall, so all the curbing, sidewalks, lighting, and infrastructure are in place. We finally removed all that aging infrastructure and brought it up to date.”

The project spanned multiple blocks and was guided by a detailed architectural plan emphasizing durability, aesthetics, and functionality. The city worked to ensure that the materials and design choices complemented the existing streetscape while introducing modern elements that improve usability and resilience.

“We had a plan and an architectural design that provided schematics for what it was supposed to look like, and we are really pleased with how it turned out,” Mayor Vonderheide explains. “It is a good mix of materials. We have concrete sidewalks, permeable pavers as part of our stormwater infrastructure in the parking areas, and four distinct corner gathering spaces, each with its own character.”

Those design choices are already influencing how people interact with downtown. The renovated streetscape encourages pedestrians to linger, explore, and engage with local businesses, creating a more active and welcoming environment.

“It has become more inviting for people to shop downtown,” Mayor Vonderheide adds. “We are seeing a lot of traffic from out of town, and right now all of the storefronts downtown are full.”

Achieving that balance required difficult decisions, particularly regarding parking. However, the city prioritized safety and accessibility over convenience.

“One of our goals was walkability,” Mayor Vonderheide says. “We knew we would lose a few parking spaces, but we have plenty of parking in the area, and making downtown easy to navigate on foot was more important.”

Downtown Momentum Fuels Business Stability

The physical transformation of downtown Jasper has directly supported business stability and growth. With improved infrastructure and enhanced public spaces, the downtown district has become increasingly attractive to entrepreneurs and established businesses alike.

“Since the expansion of the downtown renovation, pretty much all of the storefronts are full,” says Josh Gunselman, Director of Community Development for the City of Jasper. “That is partly due to our partnership with Heart of Jasper Main Street and partly due to the physical improvements we have made.”

Rather than focusing solely on recruitment, Jasper’s strategy emphasizes creating the right conditions for businesses to succeed. That approach is evident in the stories emerging from downtown, including locally driven redevelopment projects.

“A young local couple purchased an old historic building, put money and sweat equity into it, and redeveloped it into a thriving pizza restaurant,” Gunselman explains. “They are now renovating the back portion of the building to add another component, possibly a tap room or another food concept.”

Wood Capital Pizza, located on the downtown square, reflects both Jasper’s entrepreneurial spirit and its industrial heritage. The name itself is a nod to the city’s longstanding connection to the wood products industry, reinforcing the link between past and present.

“That type of investment aligns perfectly with the momentum we are trying to build,” Gunselman adds. “We want activity downtown after five o’clock, and we want people gathering, dining, and spending time in those spaces.”

Rather than frequent turnover, downtown Jasper is experiencing stability and maturation among its businesses. “We are seeing businesses become comfortable, successful, and integrated into the spaces we have created,” Gunselman notes.

Anchored by Industry, Strengthened by Change

While downtown revitalization is highly visible, Jasper’s economic foundation remains deeply rooted in manufacturing, particularly in wood products and furniture. That legacy continues to shape the city’s identity and economic resilience.

“Our furniture industry is still the anchor in this area,” Mayor Vonderheide says. “MasterBrand Cabinets, the largest cabinet maker in North America, originated here in Jasper.”

Over time, the industry has evolved through consolidation, modernization, and investment in technology, enabling it to remain competitive in a changing global market.

“Kimball International was purchased by HNI a couple of years ago, but they are still thriving here,” Mayor Vonderheide explains. “They are investing not just in wood technology but in advanced manufacturing technology.”

Public-private collaboration has played a key role in supporting that evolution. “We partnered with Kimball and provided a tax abatement that allowed them to modernize and automate one of their production lines,” Gunselman says. “That resulted in retained jobs, higher skill requirements, and increased wages.”

Housing Investment That Attracts People and Jobs

Housing has emerged as one of Jasper’s most critical priorities, particularly as the city works to support workforce growth and attract new residents. City leadership has taken a proactive approach by expanding housing options across multiple neighborhoods.

“Housing is a priority, no doubt about it,” Mayor Vonderheide says. “This year, we launched a new development on the north side called Northridge. It is a mix of multi-residential and single-family homes.”

That project is part of a broader effort to expand housing capacity while maintaining neighborhood character.

“We completed an expansion at University Heights, finished phase three at Park Place, and are preparing for phase four,” Mayor Vonderheide adds. “Canterbury Courts and several additional developments are in progress or under discussion.”

Gunselman points to the scale and planning behind these efforts. “We annexed 110 acres last year for the Northridge development and have begun phase one,” he explains. “We are preparing to break ground on phase two, along with additional multifamily and duplex developments.”

To support responsible development, the city is strategically leveraging economic tools. “We believe in the jobs-follow-people model,” Gunselman says. “That is why housing is so important. If we provide quality places to live, business and jobs will follow.”

Amenities with Regional Reach

Jasper’s investment in amenities extends beyond its resident population, positioning the city as a regional destination. The reopening of the city’s outdoor swimming pool provides a clear example of that broader impact.

“Over the summer, 56 percent of swimmers at our outdoor pool came from outside our zip code,” Mayor Vonderheide recalls. “We also set records in concessions, with seven years’ worth of sales in one season.”

The city is also advancing the Regional Wellness Center, a project designed to enhance health and wellness opportunities across the region.

“We paused the project due to funding uncertainty and restarted it in October with renewed momentum,” Gunselman explains. “We expect to bond it shortly and then break ground.”

Infrastructure Planned for Long-Term Resilience

Behind Jasper’s visible growth is a sustained focus on infrastructure planning and asset management. The city continues to invest in systems that support reliability, capacity, and future expansion.

“We are very focused on asset management planning,” Mayor Vonderheide says. “That includes water, wastewater, stormwater, and roads.”

Recent projects include developing a backup water supply and constructing a new electric substation. “These are necessary steps to support capacity and growth,” Mayor Vonderheide adds.

Trails, Parks, and Recreation Enhancements

Outdoor recreation and connectivity remain important components of Jasper’s quality-of-life strategy. Over the past year, the city has expanded its multi-use trail network, further connecting neighborhoods and public spaces.

“We have extended our multi-use trail network again,” Gunselman says. “It now connects most of the way around town.”

Park improvements continue on a rolling basis. “We renovate parks every year, updating playground equipment and surfaces,” Gunselman notes. The addition of pickleball courts has also been well received, reflecting changing recreational preferences.

Planning for the Future

Looking ahead, Jasper is updating its comprehensive plan, continuing a long-standing practice of aligning planning with execution.

“Our last plan was adopted in 2019, and within five years, we had completed or started more than 85 percent of the projects,” Gunselman says. “We expect to adopt the next plan in July.”

Regional connectivity will play an increasingly important role, particularly through the Mid-States Corridor. “The Mid-States Corridor will support our manufacturers and bring jobs and people to the community,” Gunselman adds.

Leadership Transition with Confidence

As Mayor Vonderheide prepares to step down, he emphasizes the importance of discipline and consistency.

“Have a good plan and stick to it,” Mayor Vonderheide says. “A plan that sits on a shelf has no value.” He expresses confidence in the team and direction moving forward.

“We have great people in place,” Mayor Vonderheide adds. “Josh is in a strong position to influence what comes next, and the incoming mayor is aligned with our direction.” Gunselman underscores the role of collaboration in sustaining progress.

“We rely on community engagement,” he says. “That collaboration is what will continue to move Jasper forward.”

AT A GLANCE

Who: Jasper, IN

What: A manufacturing-centered community known for steady leadership, thoughtful planning, and long-term economic resilience.

Where: Southern Indiana, roughly 50 miles northeast of Evansville.

Website: www.jasperindiana.gov