The Bottom-Up Revolution What Jasper Teaches Us About Beating Mega Projects
Mar 10, 2026
Mark Nowotarski, a civic advocate from Jasper, Indiana who led local organizing against the Mid‑States Corridor. He recounts six years of grassroots resistance to a proposed 54‑mile, $3.4 billion highway. Short scenes cover yard signs, town halls, polling, local impacts on roads and emergency access, and how persistence and alliances shifted power against a mega-project.
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How Jasper Won Strongest Town With A Plan
- Mark entered Jasper in the Strongest Town contest after returning in 2020 and got city leadership onboard, leading Jasper to win in 2022.
- The city's comprehensive plan guided projects like a downtown square revitalization with sewer and water replacement.
Comprehensive Plan As A Financial Filter
- Jasper used its comprehensive plan as a decision filter, prioritizing financially sustainable projects and tying infrastructure upgrades to broader downtown revitalization.
- Replacing century-old utilities became the opportunity to redesign the downtown to improve long-term vitality.
Use Professional Polling To Reveal Local Opposition
- Do test public opinion with legitimate polling before assuming support for large infrastructure projects.
- Mark's group funded a professional poll showing 81% local opposition to the Mid-States Corridor, which shifted attention at the State House.