Spinner leaving OCRA for IU center
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The executive director of the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs is stepping down, the agency said Tuesday.
Denny Spinner, the former mayor of Huntingburg who was appointed to the OCRA position in November 2020, is leaving to become interim executive director of the Center for Rural Engagement at Indiana University in Bloomington.
Spinner’s last day at OCRA will be Friday, and he will begin his new role on Dec. 11.
“Denny Spinner has been one of rural Indiana’s greatest advocates during his tenure as OCRA’s executive director,” Lt. Gov. Crouch said in a news release. “Hoosiers all across Indiana are grateful for his commitment, and I wish him well as he continues this mission in a new role.”
OCRA touted several accomplishments during Spinner’s tenure, including the launch of several programs, including the PreservINg Main Street Program, Indiana Connectivity Program and the Recovery Housing Program. He also reestablished the Indiana Rural Affairs Working Group and led improvements to the agency’s grant management system, OCRA said.
OCRA said a search for Spinner’s successor will begin immediately.
“It has been an honor to serve Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and with the outstanding staff at OCRA,” Spinner said. “In working with rural communities these last few years, I saw the potential of rural Indiana being the state’s next great economic frontier. I feel fortunate and excited to have the opportunity to continue this work with the Indiana University Center of Rural Engagement.”
At the Center for Rural Engagement, Spinner will succeed Kerry Thomson, who was elected Bloomington’s next mayor earlier this month. Thomson has led the center since its founding in 2018.
IU says the Center for Rural Engagement uses the research and expertise of IU Bloomington faculty, staff and students to help Indiana communities meet challenges and become stronger.
Spinner says while he will continue the center’s work in progress, he plans to meet with IU President Pamela Whitten and Provost Rahul Shrivastav to discuss their vision for advancing the center over the next year.