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Indiana’s rural communities face challenges like population decline, aging infrastructure, and economic stagnation. However, with a focus on agriculture, entrepreneurship, and workforce development, we can reinvigorate these areas. Our vision includes supporting local businesses, enhancing education, and improving roads and broadband access. By fostering community engagement and leadership, we can create vibrant, thriving towns reminiscent of Mayberry. Together, let’s refresh Rural Indiana, ensuring prosperity for families, businesses, and future generations.
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Refreshing Rural Indiana LG-Elect Sue Ellspermann Indiana Rural Summit
Lieutenant Governor-Elect • Grew up in Ferdinand, population 2200 • 1 of 6 children • Working in family-owned jewelry store • Graduated from Forest Park High School (500 students) • Purdue University Industrial Engineer • Worked for GM, Michelin and Frito-Lay • Owned a small consulting firm in problem solving and strategic planning • Completed PhD from University of Louisville • Founded USI’s Center for Applied Research • Elected State Rep District 74 2010
Rural Indiana – circa 1960’s • Vibrant rural communities • Large farm families and family farms • Schools bursting with students • Thriving Main Streets • Abundant entrepreneurship • Abundant young leaders (i.e. Jaycees) • Pick-up games in every park or court • No need to lock your doors • Mayberry RFD
Rural Indiana today • Brain drain – loss of young adult population • Empty buildings on Main Street • Fewer locally owned businesses • Shrinking employment opportunities; long commutes • Fewer students in our rural schools • Aged or insufficient infrastructure (sewer, roads, broadband) • “Greybeard” community leaders • Meth, drugs, and crime…even some gangs
The Story of Ferdinand • Expands twice its size each work day (jobs) • Had begun to stagnate in the 80’s (didn’t want change) • In 2006, town leadership developed a 10-year vision • The vision embraced growth and development • In 2008, Ferdinand became a pilot for Indiana Hometown Competitiveness • During the recession, Ferdinand kept moving: • Tri-County YMCA • New library • Several new businesses • A new interstate development • A historic home preservation project • A town trails project • 2012 National Blue Ribbon School • Highest ISTEP scores in state • Christkindlmarktrated Top 100 Event in North America by Motorcoach Association
How might we refresh.. reinvigorate… renew… rebrand… rural Indiana?
Rural Indiana Refreshed • Agriculture • Entrepreneurship • Economic Development • Visioning • Community Development • Rural Workforce Development • Infrastructure Development
Agriculture • Support development of a Food and Agriculture Innovation Corridor • Fix the Farm Property Tax Assessment • Promote Agriculture-related Careers in high school and higher education • Connect local farmers to “Locally Grown” opportunities
Entrepreneurship • Expand the Young Entrepreneur Program • Develop Rural Entrepreneurship/Small Business funding (RETIF bill) • Increase SBDC presence and reach into rural communities leveraging OCRA model • Create link between Indiana Applied Research Enterprise and rural communities, entrepreneurs, and businesses
Economic Development • Work with rural LEDO’s to develop regional initiatives • Leverage OCRA, ISBDC, and OITD to promote expansion, retention and attraction of businesses • Link farmers to Food and Agriculture Innovation Corridor initiatives, new products, and new services
Community Development • Expand Indiana HomeTown Competitiveness and Main Street programs • Expand Stellar Communities • Facilitate Community and Regional Visioning • Promote rural communities and “ruralness”
Rural Workforce Development • Expand Project Lead the Way to all rural schools • Expand Agriculture and STEM education in high schools • Develop Career and Technical Education linked to regional industries • Create more dual credit/dual degree options for rural schools • Connect young adults to local industry and business opportunities
Infrastructure Development • Develop a statewide comprehensive road funding plan • Expand P3 (public private partnership) opportunities • Assist communities in leveraging best assets • Explore new infrastructure funding tools for rural communities
Goal • Increase the prosperity of rural communities, rural families and rural businesses • Measured by: • Employment/number of jobs • Net population growth • School enrollment growth • Per capita income • Educational attainment • New business starts • Rural satisfaction metric (to be developed)
A Vision for Rural Communities • Bustling Main Streets • Full, high achieving rural schools • New businesses: high tech, low tech, retail and service • High wage, plentiful jobs within a 30 minute commute • Young adults choosing to return home and attracted to our small towns and lifestyle • Large, medium and small agricultural enterprises • Thriving families • “Neighbors helping neighbors” culture • Safe, low crime communities
Can we do it? • We can… • It starts with each of us… • …Built organically so that communities can pursue their own unique visions. • Our Administration will facilitate and partner.
