Stellar Communities Program finalists named

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch has announced six regions as finalists for the 2018 Stellar Communities Program.

Launched in 2011 when the winners were the City of Greencastle and the North Vernon community, the Stellar Communities Program is a multi-year, multi-million dollar investment initiative led by the Office of Community and Rural Affairs.

The program works with communities to develop their strategic community investment plans, promote local and regional partnerships and implement comprehensive solutions to challenges facing Indiana’s rural communities.

“The Stellar Communities Program has helped so many areas across our state, and I am inspired by the collaborative efforts of these six regions,” Crouch said. “Working together, and heading toward a common goal will allow for a better, stronger Indiana.”

Representatives from the Stellar partner state agencies began examining the letters of intent following the April 6 deadline.

Chosen as finalist were the following regions:

• A Region Plus — comprised of the cities of Vincennes and Bicknell and Knox County.

• Health and Heritage Region — comprised of the city of Greenfield and the town of Fortville.

• Eastern Indiana — comprised of the cities of Richmond, Rushville and Union City, and Randolph County.

• Marshall County Crossroads – comprised of Elkhart and St. Joseph counties, Marshall County leaders and leadership from the towns of Argos, Bremen, Bourbon, Culver, LaPaz and Plymouth.

• Mt. Comfort Road Corridor – comprised of the towns of Cumberland, McCordsville and New Palestine.

• New Allen Alliance – comprised of Allen County, the town of Grabill, Leo-Cedarville and Monroeville and the cities of New Haven and Woodburn.

As finalists, regions will receive a planning grant to build upon their regional plans. Each region will begin working with Ball State University’s Indiana Communities Institute to discuss project alignment and continued planning efforts. Final designees are selected at the end of the year.

Through the annual designation, the Stellar Communities program provides resources for transformative quality-of-place community improvements by utilizing previous planning efforts, leveraging existing assets, fostering regional investments and stimulating continued growth.