Stellar Communities Goes Regional
(Image courtesy of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA well-known state program designed to boost the quality-of-life in smaller communities of the state is being restructured to take a regional approach. The Stellar Communities Designation Program, which is run by Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Development, will now focus on collaboration among adjoining towns, cities and counties. In order to support talent attraction, retention and development efforts, Crouch says, communities have to work together.
"We are all a part of this great state, and through the regional Stellar Community program, we must continue to improve our neighborhoods and encourage a partnership between communities," she added. From 2011-2016, nearly $90 million has been set aside for the program by the state. OCRA says community partners during that time have contributed a combined $109 million.
To be eligible, participating communities must make a four-year commitment to the program, be part of the state Community Development Block Grant program and are a county, city or an incorporated town not currently a U.S. Housing and Urban Development-recognized entitlement community.
Stellar partners include the Indiana Department of Transportation, Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, several additional state agencies, Ball State University and Purdue University. You can connect to more about the revamped program by clicking here.