August 21, 2018

Media Contact: Kevin Hannah | 317.602.1546 ext. 3 | kevin@mcfarlandpr.com LIBERTY, IND. (AUG. 21, 2018) – Today the Eastern Indiana Region delegation announced from the courthouse grounds in Rushville that two key Rush County projects have been included in the Eastern Indiana region’s submission to earn a Stellar designation from the Indiana Regional Stellar Communities Program. The Morgan Street Corridor Trail and the Urban Loop Trail projects, were listed as projects in the regional submission. The full submission included projects from Randolph, Wayne and Union counties as well. Rushville Mayor Mike Pavey announced the inclusion of the Morgan Street Corridor Trail and the Urban Loop Trail projects. The completion of these projects provides connectivity via bicycle and foot traffic in the area. “While OCRA’s Regional Stellar Program is, in theory, a competition, we in Eastern Indiana view it as another way to assist us in the journey towards being better able to work together on the many common challenges that face us from day to day,” said Jeff Plasterer, executive director of the Eastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission. “This application process has allowed us to strengthen the way we communicate, plan, and assist each other on a regular and ongoing basis to improve our recruitment, retention, and development of a qualified workforce through improvements to our Region’s quality of place.” If the Eastern Indiana Region’s submission is selected as one of two recipients in the Stellar Communities Program, funding could be available for the submitted plan. The Eastern Indiana Region is one of six finalist for this year’s regional Stellar Communities Program. “Our projects will work to improve quality of place, which will assist in retaining and attracting residents which play a crucial part in supplying workforce to our region,” said Pavey. The Eastern Indiana Region’s comprehensive regional development plan was developed with input from each county’s residents, businesses and organizations to address quality of life, workforce, housing, health, wellness and economic development projects. “This process has strengthened our regional partnership and ensures its continuation throughout the years,” said Mike Row, chief executive officer of Eastern Indiana Works. The Indiana Regional Stellar Communities Program promotes regionalism by design with a comprehensive community and economic development approach through a multi-year, multi-million investment initiative.  The Regional Stellar Communities Program is led by the Indiana Lieutenant Governor’s office and is funded by three state agencies: the Indiana Housing and Community Economic Development Authority, the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs and the Indiana Department of Transportation.  Other State Partners in the program are: Indiana Department of Tourism, Indiana State Department of Health, The Indiana Bond Bank, Serve Indiana, Indiana Arts Commission and Indiana Department of Natural Resources ###

Media Contact: Kevin Hannah | 317.602.1546 ext. 3 | kevin@mcfarlandpr.com LIBERTY, IND. (AUG. 21, 2018) – Today the Eastern Indiana Region delegation announced from the courthouse grounds in Liberty that a key Union County project has been included in the Eastern Indiana region’s submission to earn a Stellar designation from the Indiana Regional Stellar Communities Program. The Owner-Occupied Renovation project, was listed as a project in the regional submission. The full submission included projects from Fayette, Randolph, Rush and Wayne counties as well. Chief Executive Officer of the Union County Development Corporation Melissa Browning announced the inclusion of the Owner-Occupied Renovation project. This project will renovate approximately 10 houses to provide appropriate housing for residents, as well as potential new immigrants, which continues to be a high priority for the entire region. “While OCRA’s Regional Stellar Program is, in theory, a competition, we in Eastern Indiana view it as another way to assist us in the journey towards being better able to work together on the many common challenges that face us from day to day,” said Jeff Plasterer, executive director of the Eastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission. “This application process has allowed us to strengthen the way we communicate, plan, and assist each other on a regular and ongoing basis to improve our recruitment, retention, and development of a qualified workforce through improvements to our Region’s quality of place.” If the Eastern Indiana Region’s submission is selected as one of two recipients in the Stellar Communities Program, funding could be available for the submitted plan. The Eastern Indiana Region is one of six finalist for this year’s regional Stellar Communities Program. “Working together on a regional approach to identified shared issues of our five county region has given us a clearer vision of strategy’s that best fit each Community,” said Browning. The Eastern Indiana Region’s comprehensive regional development plan was developed with input from each county’s residents, businesses and organizations to address quality of life, workforce, housing, health, wellness and economic development projects. “This process has strengthened our regional partnership and ensures its continuation throughout the years,” said Mike Row, chief executive officer of Eastern Indiana Works. The Indiana Regional Stellar Communities Program promotes regionalism by design with a comprehensive community and economic development approach through a multi-year, multi-million investment initiative.  The Regional Stellar Communities Program is led by the Indiana Lieutenant Governor’s office and is funded by three state agencies: the Indiana Housing and Community Economic Development Authority, the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs and the Indiana Department of Transportation.  Other State Partners in the program are: Indiana Department of Tourism, Indiana State Department of Health, The Indiana Bond Bank, Serve Indiana, Indiana Arts Commission and Indiana Department of Natural Resources ###

Media Contact: Kevin Hannah | 317.602.1546 ext. 3 | kevin@mcfarlandpr.com RICHMOND, IND. (AUG. 21, 2018) – Today the Eastern Indiana Region delegation announced from the courthouse grounds in Richmond that a key Wayne County project has been included in the Eastern Indiana region’s submission to earn a Stellar designation from the Indiana Regional Stellar Communities Program. The Townsend Townhomes project, was listed as a project in the regional submission. The full submission included projects from Fayette, Randolph, Rush and Union counties as well. Richmond Mayor Dave Snow announced the inclusion of the Townsend Townhomes project. This project is a low-to-moderate income 40-unit housing project that is phase one of a two-phase project.  This first phase address the need for affordable housing for families in the region. Approximately 100 residents will be directly impacted by this project annually. “While OCRA’s Regional Stellar Program is, in theory, a competition, we in Eastern Indiana view it as another way to assist us in the journey towards being better able to work together on the many common challenges that face us from day to day,” said Jeff Plasterer, executive director of the Eastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission. “This application process has allowed us to strengthen the way we communicate, plan, and assist each other on a regular and ongoing basis to improve our recruitment, retention, and development of a qualified workforce through improvements to our Region’s quality of place.” If the Eastern Indiana Region’s submission is selected as one of two recipients in the Stellar Communities Program, funding could be available for the submitted plan. The Eastern Indiana Region is one of six finalist for this year’s regional Stellar Communities Program. [Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”41″ gal_title=”Stellar – Wayne County”] “The Stellar Regional process is beneficial to our communities in a couple of key areas,” said Snow. “First, it enhances our already strong working relationships and gives us a stronger foundation from which to work. Second, it showcases the interdependence of quality of life and workforce development.” The Eastern Indiana Region’s comprehensive regional development plan was developed with input from each county’s residents, businesses and organizations to address quality of life, workforce, housing, health, wellness and economic development projects. “This process has strengthened our regional partnership and ensures its continuation throughout the years,” said Mike Row, chief executive officer of Eastern Indiana Works. The Indiana Regional Stellar Communities Program promotes regionalism by design with a comprehensive community and economic development approach through a multi-year, multi-million investment initiative.  The Regional Stellar Communities Program is led by the Indiana Lieutenant Governor’s office and is funded by three state agencies: the Indiana Housing and Community Economic Development Authority, the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs and the Indiana Department of Transportation.  Other State Partners in the program are: Indiana Department of Tourism, Indiana State Department of Health, The Indiana Bond Bank, Serve Indiana, Indiana Arts Commission and Indiana Department of Natural Resources ###

Media Contact: Kevin Hannah | 317.602.1546 ext. 3 | kevin@mcfarlandpr.com WINCHESTER, IND. (AUG. 21, 2018) – Today the Eastern Indiana Region delegation announced from the courthouse grounds in Winchester that two key Randolph County projects have been included in the Eastern Indiana region’s submission to earn a Stellar designation from the Indiana Regional Stellar Communities Program. The East Greenville Pike project in Winchester, and the Back Lofts apartments and training center in Union City, were both listed as projects in the regional submission. The full submission included projects from Fayette, Rush, Wayne and Union counties as well. Chief Executive Officer of the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation Greg Beumer announced inclusion of the East Greenville Pike project, which will focus on approximately two miles of the roadway starting at the Winchester city limits and heading southeast, making transportation safer for the traveling public. City Manager of Union City Monte Poling announced the inclusion of the Backstay Loft Apartments project. This project will convert an old industrial building into approximately 40 new apartments and workforce training space. [Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”39″ gal_title=”Stellar – Randolph County”] “While OCRA’s Regional Stellar Program is, in theory, a competition, we in Eastern Indiana view it as another way to assist us in the journey towards being better able to work together on the many common challenges that face us from day to day,” said Jeff Plasterer, executive director of the Eastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission. “This application process has allowed us to strengthen the way we communicate, plan, and assist each other on a regular and ongoing basis to improve our recruitment, retention, and development of a qualified workforce through improvements to our Region’s quality of place.” If the Eastern Indiana Region’s submission is selected as one of two recipients in the Stellar Communities Program, funding could be available for the submitted plans. The Eastern Indiana Region is one of six finalist for this year’s regional Stellar Communities Program. The Eastern Indiana Region’s comprehensive regional development plan was developed with input from each county’s residents, businesses and organizations to address quality of life, workforce, housing, health, wellness and economic development projects. “This process has strengthened our regional partnership and ensures its continuation throughout the years,” said Mike Row, chief executive officer of Eastern Indiana Works. The Indiana Regional Stellar Communities Program promotes regionalism by design with a comprehensive community and economic development approach through a multi-year, multi-million investment initiative. The Regional Stellar Communities Program is led by the Indiana Lieutenant Governor’s office and is funded by three state agencies: the Indiana Housing and Community Economic Development Authority, the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs and the Indiana Department of Transportation. Other State Partners in the program are: Indiana Department of Tourism, Indiana State Department of Health, The Indiana Bond Bank, Serve Indiana, Indiana Arts Commission and Indiana Department of Natural Resources ###