Up-To-Date Information about the Stellar Pathways Program
Check here often to learn more about progress of the Stellar Pathways program in LaGrange County, Indiana.
Where We Are in the Process:
Connect LaGrange County Stellar Pathways Journey Continues
LaGrange County, Indiana– [10/30] At the start of 2024, the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) unveiled a revamped version of their Stellar Communities Program, now called Stellar Pathways. This was the moment Sherri Johnston, President of the LaGrange County Economic Development Corporation (LCEDC), and Emilee Buller, Vice President of Community Development and Engagement, had been waiting for. After hearing time and time again from granting agencies that LaGrange County had not previously been funded and that interest in our area was growing, they knew it was time to act.
Together, they launched Connect LaGrange County, a countywide effort aimed at securing the Stellar Pathways designation. In May, Emilee submitted a comprehensive 21-page Letter of Intent and Narrative to OCRA, outlining the county’s vision for progress. By June, they received the exciting news – LaGrange County was one of only four finalists in the state!
Since then, the Connect LaGrange County team has been hard at work, organizing several stakeholder and steering group meetings, and engaging with the community through a variety of channels. Their online survey drew over 1,050 responses, and they hosted five public input meetings. They also participated in local events, including Chamber luncheons, the LaGrange Council on Aging luncheon, Corn School, a fish fry and football games, ensuring that they heard from a broad range of residents and stakeholders. Additionally, the team presented at Town and County Council meetings and gathered letters of support from across the county.
As the process nears its final stages, Connect LaGrange County will submit their Strategic Investment Plan to OCRA on November 1st. On December 3rd, the team will travel to Indianapolis to present to the granting agencies and show them what makes LaGrange County truly STELLAR!
Two communities will be selected to receive $7.2 million each in grant funding. Coupled with pledged match dollars, this designation could result in nearly $10 million of investment into transformative quality of life and place projects for LaGrange County.
For more information about the Stellar Pathways program, potential projects, letters of support or funding sources, please reach out to Emilee Buller at ebuller@lagrangecountyedc.com or 260-499-4994. Let’s continue to work together to make LaGrange County the best place to live, work, and thrive!
About LaGrange County Economic Development Corporation (LCEDC)
LCEDC is a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting sustainable economic growth, opportunity, and prosperity in LaGrange County. Working in partnership with public and private entities, LCEDC aims to create a supportive business environment, attract investment, and implement sustainable development strategies.
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 Buller, VP of Community Development & Engagement and 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 Buller at ebuller@lagrangecountyedc.com or 260-499-4994.
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.
