Scan this QR code for the Stellar Community Connection Survey ⇒
LaGrange County EDC leads the Charge for a Different Kind of Final Four
LaGrange County, Indiana – [06/18] – Hoosiers love basketball, and what we love even more is a Final Four qualification. In May, LaGrange County Economic Development Corporation (LCEDC) submitted a Letter of Intent and the required accompanying documents to be considered for the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs Stellar Pathways Program.
Today, LCEDC is thrilled to announce that it has been selected as one of four statewide finalists in the Stellar Pathways Program. This prestigious recognition underscores LCEDC’s commitment to sustainable growth, economic prosperity, and community enhancement in LaGrange County.
“The Stellar Pathways program empowers communities to invest in transformative improvements, and these four regions have displayed the vision required of a Stellar project,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “All four of these teams have not only understood but embraced the challenge of collaboration, which is an important foundation for improving quality of life for Hoosiers in their communities.” Connect LaGrange County is joined on the podium by teams from Dearborn, Wabash, and Warren Counties.
The Stellar Pathways Program, a multi-year, multi-million-dollar initiative led by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA), works with communities within a county boundary on a shared vision for community and economic development. It promotes local and regional partnerships and assists in implementing sustainable solutions to challenges facing Indiana’s rural communities.
Emilee Fincher, regional project manager for this effort, emphasized the importance of partnership and collaboration in achieving the Stellar Pathways designation: “Our collective efforts underscore the unity and determination of LaGrange County. We are prioritizing collaborative and transformative projects that prioritize talent attraction, housing, childcare and quality of place to create a strategic roadmap that will guide our community’s progress for years to come.”
As finalists, each region will receive $50,000 to develop its final strategic investment plan over the coming months, and a customized one-day workshop with Ball State University’s Indiana Communities Institute in August to discuss project alignment and continued planning efforts. Those Strategic Investment Plans will be evaluated after their submission in November with two winners announced in January of 2025.
“Our participation in this program exemplifies our dedication to inclusive growth and meaningful impact,” said Sherri Johnston, President and CEO of LCEDC. “By harnessing the collective expertise and resources of our partners, we are poised to unlock new opportunities, address challenges head-on, and build a thriving LaGrange County that prospers for many years to come.” The Stellar Pathways Program is designed to provide resources for transformative quality of place improvements by applying previous planning efforts, leveraging existing assets, fostering regional investments, and stimulating continued growth.
For media inquiries or more information about the Stellar Pathways Designation effort in LaGrange County, please contact Emilee Fincher at efincher@lagrangecountyedc.com or 260-499-4994.
Stellar Updates:
- LaGrange News: County EDC Leads Countywide Effort in Pursuit of Stellar Pathways Designation
- Indiana Office of Community & Rural Affairs: Lt. Gov. Crouch, OCRA Announce 2024 Stellar Pathways Finalists
- Journal Gazette: Wabash, LaGrange counties among finalists for Indiana Stellar Pathways
- Inside Indiana Business: State Unveils Stellar Pathways Finalists
- KPC News Sun: LaGrange County Makes Cut as Stellar Pathways Finalist
- LaGrange News: LaGrange County EDC leads the charge for a different kind of Final Four
- Inside Indiana Business: LaGrange County focusing on Stellar Pathways win
About LaGrange County Economic Development Corporation (LCEDC):
LCEDC is a recognized 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging sustainable economic growth, opportunity and prosperity in LaGrange County. LCEDC works collaboratively with public and private partners to create a supportive business environment, attract investment, and promote sustainable development strategies.
