Concerned Citizens of Adams County v. Adams County Rural Industrial Development Commission

Background: The grassroots environmental group, Concerned Citizens of Adams County, requested public records from the Adams County agency whose mission is to promote economic development in the county. The group's aim is to educate the public about a proposed large slaughter house, ethanol plant, and associated feedlots in Adams County. The public agency denied access to the documents, claiming that the entity is a non-profit and not a government agency that is required to comply with the Open Records Law.

Status: MEA represented the Concerned Citizens of Adams County in an Open Records lawsuit against Adams County in Adams County Circuit Court. In March of 2002, the county agency settled the lawsuit by disclosing the requested documents, admitting that it was subject to the Open Records Act, and paying MEA's attorneys fees and costs.