DID YOU KNOW?
Wabash County is one of four Stellar Pathway Finalists!
This plan is part of a competitive process to receive up to $7M in funding.
STELLAR PATHWAYS
The Stellar Pathways Program is a multi-agency, multi-million-dollar investment initiative led by the Office of Community and Rural Affairs. The program works with communities within a county boundary on a shared vision for community and economic development, promotes local and regional partnerships, and assists in implementing sustainable solutions to challenges facing Indiana’s rural communities.
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In June 2024, four regions were chosen as the 2024 Stellar Pathways Finalists including Dearborn County, LaGrange County, Wabash County, and Warren County. As finalists, each region received $50,000 to put towards the development of a final strategic investment plan – this planning effort!
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The Wabash County region includes the County, the City of Wabash, the Town of North Manchester, the Town of La Fontaine, the Town of Lagro, and the Town of Roann.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Indiana’s Stellar Pathways program is requesting a Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) detailing the region’s comprehensive community revitalization strategies over the five-year Stellar Pathways timeline, which is part of the competitive process.
A Strategic Investment Plan is an economic development tool to identify economic, business, and developmental programs and projects that may qualify for targeted funding to accomplish key regional goals.
Major project milestones include:
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July – October – Development of SIP
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November 1 – SIP Due
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December 5 – Presentation to the State
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January 2024 – Announcement of two Stellar Pathways designees
PROJECT LEADERSHIP
Because the Imagine One 85 process brought each community to the table, a group of local representatives had already been meeting every month to move projects and programs forward. This same group will guide the development of the SIP.
The leadership group includes:
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Kristie Bone - Town of Lagro
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Jeff Dawes – Wabash County
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Alex Downard – Imagine One 85
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Bob Ferguson – Town of Roann
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Patty Grant – Community Foundation
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Tracie Hensley – Town of La Fontaine
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Scott Long – City of Wabash
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Sam McFadden - Community Foundation
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Adam Penrod – Town of North Manchester
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Tenille Zartman - Grow Wabash County
GET INVOLVED
The region will be invited to participate in the process through online engagement tools and a regional workshop later this year. It is anticipated that the general public will be invited to review and provide input on the proposed projects and programs in early October. Check back later for more information!
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