MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) – Economic development organizations in eight central Indiana counties say they support the proposed $450 million Mounds Lake Reservoir project.

The Star Press reports that the CEOs of organizations in Blackford, Fayette, Grant, Henry, Jay, Randolph, Rush and Wayne counties released a statement Monday saying the project can “play a substantial role'' in ensuring a prosperous future for East Central Indiana. The only two organizations not part of the release are those from the counties where the reservoir would actually be built: Delaware and Madison counties.

Officials in Delaware County have voted against the project, but groups in Madison County have been a driving force for the reservoir project.

The proposal's next step would be a forming a commission that would oversee the next phases in building the reservoir.