HANCOCK COUNTY — The two Hancock County regions gunning for Indiana’s multimillion-dollar grant competition are now just a phone call away from knowing if they’re a “Stellar” place to call home.
The Health and Heritage Region, a partnership among Greenfield, Fortville and Hancock County; and the Mt. Comfort Gateway Corridor group, comprised of Cumberland, McCordsville and New Palestine, each presented their regional plans last week to Stellar Communities representatives from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs and other state agencies in Indianapolis.
Hancock County’s two regions are among five finalists in the high-stakes program. Stellar winners can receive up to $15 million in grants to fast-track economic development and quality-of-life projects over five years.
OCRA launched the Stellar Communities program in 2011, selecting Greencastle and North Vernon as winners. Up until 2018, one city and one town were chosen as Stellar winners. The state changed the program this year to a regional initiative, urging two or more communities to partner as a self-selected region.
A study released by Indianapolis-based Sagamore Institute said the program has distributed $100 million in grants from OCRA and its state partner agencies. An additional $135 million in community contributions also has poured into the program.
Some communities have seen large investments. Delphi, a Carroll County town about 20 miles from Lafayette, was chosen as a Stellar winner in 2012. The town of nearly 2,900 wrapped up its five-year revitalization project in 2017, investing $23 million into the downtown. Delphi received $10.7 million in state grants. The rest of the project funds came from tax credits, private sources, utility costs and a local match, said the town’s mayor, Shane Evans.
The town rehabilitated a historic opera house, updated facades and streetscapes and added housing.
Following the Health and Heritage Region’s presentation on Nov. 14 and Mt. Comfort Gateway Corridor’s on Nov. 15, officials from both groups said they’ll now have to wait until Stellar representatives call each group on Dec. 10 and let them know if they’re one of two winners.
The other three finalists include: Eastern Indiana — Richmond, Rushville, Union City and Randolph County; Marshall County Crossroads — Marshall County, Argos, Bremen, Bourbon, Culver, LaPaz and Plymouth; and the New Allen Alliance — Allen County, Grabill, Leo-Cedarville, Monroeville, New Haven and Woodburn.
Richmond was named a Stellar Community in 2013, and Culver was chosen last year.
The Greenfield-Fortville-Hancock County plan focuses on preserving the historic components of the region while still improving the area through additional trails, housing and amenities. Some of that includes park upgrades in Greenfield, housing additions in Fortville and extensions of the Pennsy Trail.
The region’s presentation to the state lasted about an hour and a half, with the latter part of it for a Q-and-A session, said Jenna Wertman, associate city planner for Greenfield. The remaining 50 minutes included a video about community partners and formal presentations from region representatives.
Joanie Fitzwater, city planner for Greenfield, said while Health and Heritage leaders obviously hope the state picks them as one of the Stellar winners, Greenfield and Fortville plan to move forward on many of the proposed 20-plus projects in the regional plan and pursue grants from the state to assist in funding.
“Going through this process has moved us closer together in looking at things regionally,” Fitzwater said. “We’re winners no matter what because this is a great blueprint.”
Wertman added that the group intentionally developed the plan to make it sustainable. She said Fortville and Greenfield officials know how projects break down in costs and construction time.
The Mt. Comfort group developed its regional plan around influencing growth along Mt. Comfort Road, or County Road 600W, a corridor linking the three communities. Dave Book, town manager of New Palestine, said officials and local business leaders worked together to give the presentation on Thursday afternoon.
“We’re really positive and hopeful that we’ll be chosen,” Book said.
Projects suggested for the corridor include workforce housing in Cumberland, a roundabout at Mt. Comfort Road and County Road 600N as well as pocket parks and an interactive street in New Palestine.
Book said forming the Stellar plan has cultivated deeper relationships among the towns in the county’s western townships.
“It’s very unique that you get three communities to agree on everything,” Book said.
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Stellar Communities finalists for 2018
Health and Heritage Region — city of Greenfield, the town of Fortville and Hancock County
Mt. Comfort Gateway Corridor — the towns of Cumberland, McCordsville and New Palestine
Eastern Indiana — the cities of Richmond, Rushville and Union City, and Randolph County
Marshall County Crossroads — Marshall County, the towns of Argos, Bremen, Bourbon, Culver, LaPaz and Plymouth
New Allen Alliance — Allen County, the towns of Grabill, Leo-Cedarville and Monroeville and the cities of New Haven and Woodburn
Source: Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs
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