BAMI-I, AIRW to Develop Model Asset Management Plan for Indiana Town
Switz City, a small town in Indiana, is set to become a pioneering model in utility asset management, thanks to a significant $650,000 grant secured by the Buried Asset Management Institute-International (BAMI-I) and Alliance of Indiana Rural Water (AIRW) from the Indiana Finance Authority (IFA). This grant will fund the development of an efficient and practical Asset Management Plan (AMP) for the town, with the potential to serve as a template for utilities across the state and the nation.
The project, which began in January 2023, is a collaborative effort between several organizations, including Purdue Underground Infrastructure Team (UIT), Alliance of Indiana Rural Water, Ziptility, Bynum Fanyo Utilities (BFU), and BAMI-I, all of whom have volunteered their expertise to support the initiative. The primary goal of this project is to help Switz City comply with Indiana Senate Bill 272 (2022), which mandates that all water utilities applying for infrastructure improvement funding from the IFA must have an approved AMP.
Jim McGoff, Director of the Indiana Finance Authority, expressed his support for the project, stating, “I like what you guys are doing. It’s boots on the ground and getting things done, and you’re going to benefit the utilities.” His endorsement was pivotal in securing the funding necessary for the project.
Switz City faces many challenges common to small utilities, such as limited funding, aging infrastructure, and a lack of technical expertise. However, with the support of the BAMI-I team and the strategic use of cutting-edge technologies, the town is on track to overcome these hurdles.
The project is being carried out in three phases. The first phase, which will run until July 2025, focuses on developing a comprehensive AMP for Switz City and addressing its most urgent infrastructure needs. Subsequent phases will involve promoting and refining the AMP model across Indiana, turning Switz City into a “Living Lab” for innovation in utility management.
With this ambitious project, Switz City is poised to become a beacon for utilities nationwide, demonstrating how effective asset management can lead to sustainable and efficient utility services. The BAMI-I and AIRW team, supported by the IFA and various partners, is committed to ensuring the project’s success and sharing its lessons with other communities.
For an in-depth overview of the project, please refer to the article in the latest BAMI-I journal or reach out to Wei Liao at Liao186@purdue.edu or Tom Iseley at diseley@purdue.edu