Town selected Hometown Collaboration Initiative
CUMBERLAND — The town of Cumberland was recently selected as one of the fifth generation communities for a quality of life and leadership program.
The Hometown Collaboration Initiative, organized through the Office of Community and Rural Affairs, is a program for communities with a population of 25,000 or fewer people that want to develop a new generation of local leaders; build a supportive community environment for small business and entrepreneurs; or invest in place through creative quality of life initiatives related to public spaces, design, local foods, and tourism, according to the OCRA website. The program is offered through a partnership with Ball State and Purdue universities and comprises several phases, according to the HCI website.
The town of Cumberland is currently in a four- to eight-month data-gathering phase, in which town officials will undertake a detailed analysis of the town’s strengths. After that is completed, the town will choose a months-long project based around the area economy, leadership or placemaking, which means an investment in local public space development, food or other quality of life initiatives, according to a press release.
Communities must be willing to invest $5,000 into the Hometown Collaboration Initiative, according to the program website.
Economic development week celebrated
GREENFIELD — The Hancock Economic Development Corporation celebrated National Economic Development Week May 8 through May 14 with a variety of events. Economic Development Week was created with the goal of increasing awareness for local programs that create jobs, advance career development opportunities and increase quality of life, according to a press release.
To celebrate National Economic Development Week, the HEDC will produce:
1. Social media marketing to inform and engage readers and the Hancock County community on “What is Economic Development, and what does your Local Economic Development Organization do?”;
2. Articles posted to the HEDC website and press releases with interviews from HEDC executive director, and others;
3. Proclamations from the City of Greenfield and from Hancock County, and;
4. HR Luncheon “Partnering for Success” with HR professionals from Hancock County companies to hear speakers share about: education; transportation; workforce; and economic development.
