County 29: Elkhart

There are currently 137 artists who have been accepted into the Indiana Artisan program, and Elkhart County’s two artists share an arts studio in the heart of downtown Elkhart. I recently visited the studio of Kay Westhues and Jake Webster, who both are enriching the community and state with their art.

Kay, a photographer, had on display a series of beautiful photos of rural Indiana. Jake sculpts using wood, stone, and cement. He also creates mixed media paintings and collages.  More information about Kay and Jake can be found at www.indianaartisan.org.

I helped create the Indiana Artisan program almost four years ago to provide marketing support, an Internet presence and tourism-focused "Artisan Trails" for our talented Hoosiers. Three Lt. Governor agencies collaborated with the Indiana Arts Commission to develop the Indiana Artisan program. It was so successful; we took it out of government’s hands and made Indiana Artisan a non-profit organization.

Whether you are interested in arts, crafts or specialty food items; chances are there is a local artisan in your community. In fact, my first Hoosier Crossroads Tour visit was to Maplewood Farms, founded by Indiana Artisan Tim Burton who specializes in maplewood syrup made in Jackson County (http://beckyskillman.blogspot.com/2011/07/county-1-jackson.html).

Indiana Artisan makes it easy to buy local and support your fellow Hoosiers.

County 28: Decatur

We came full circle recently while visiting Decatur County Memorial Hospital (DCMH). Exactly 14 months ago I launched the Indiana Telehealth Network at the hospital. Now the network is well underway at Decatur County’s rural access hospital.

The Telehealth Network is providing better patient care to those living in our rural areas. Doctors at DCMH are using a fiber-optic broadband network to remotely consult in real time with other healthcare professions, who are in other cities, to accurately diagnose and treat patients. For instance DCMH is connected with IU Health and the telestroke network, and now stroke victims are treated faster and more effectively. Also, DCHM is becoming a video conferencing host site next year for the Indiana Rural Health Association.

Lt. Governor Skillman praises officials for their work in bringing the Indiana Telehealth Network to Decatur County. The Telehealth Network is providing better patient care to individuals living in rural areas of Indiana. 

There are 57 state-wide facilities – most are critical access hospitals – that are part of the Indiana Telehealth Network. I recently celebrated St. Vincent’s Williamsport Hospital’s completion of its telehealth network in Warren County. Check out the video from the news conference here. 

Each critical access hospital that is part of the Indiana Telehealth Network is opening doors for better connectivity throughout their community and state. So it is not just better healthcare that we celebrate – we celebrate better communications for Decatur County and the entire state. Individuals, families and business stand to benefit from the Indiana Telehealth Network.

County 27: Tipton

I visited Tipton County on a Friday and found that talking to local leaders there was a great way to end the week.

During a brief but informative time in the City of Tipton, I sad down with city, town and county elected leaders to hear about local issues and their perspective on state government. This all comes as my staff and I prepare the report on what we’ve learned from local leaders these past six months. We are compiling the thoughts from the leaders in Tipton County – and the 26 other counties I’ve visited so far on my Hoosier Crossroads Tour – to give a report on the state of local government in Indiana. This report will be available here on the website.

One thing Tipton does well is making the downtown district a welcoming hub for business and community. I was impressed with the number of businesses clustered along Main Street and only wished there had been time in the day’s packed schedule to stop in and see what the local shops were offering for the holidays.

Every community has something special to offer. The saying goes, "If you’ve seen one small town, you’ve seen them all." But I always say, "In Indiana, if you’ve seen one city or town, then you’ve just seen one." Each is different, with its own flavor and unique assets that make you want to stay and get to know the people there.

I learned a lot from the meeting I had. Look for our complete report soon.

County 26: DeKalb

Lt. Governor Skillman visits Auburn to talk about community and economic development efforts in the area. Auburn received a $5,000 grant for main street improvements from the state.

As I gathered in Auburn with local officials, I couldn’t help but marvel at the downtown district of the city. The historic buildings filled with restaurants and shops glistened as a fresh coat of snow, the first of the season, fell softly upon the roofs.

It would have been a perfect day to visit Santa Claus in his little red house that the locals built or check out the winning gingerbread houses in this year’s contest. These are only a few things that are happening in downtown Auburn. Auburn officials reported on some of the exciting events they put on throughout the year to attract residents and visitors to the area.

They have partnered with several organizations, and are part of the state’s Indiana Main Street program. Recently, we awarded them a $5,000 Downtown Enhancement Grant through the Indiana Main Street program administered by the Office of Community and Rural Affairs. Three projects have been completed thus far, and now there is more opportunity for Hoosiers to invest in a business in the downtown area.

More than 100 communities are part of the Indiana Main Street family, and 181 building rehabilitations have taken place under the program. We know that the heart of a community is the downtown area. It is the hub for government, business, culture and financial activity. We want people to continue to flock to Auburn and other Main Street communities. I know I look forward to my next visit to DeKalb County.

County 25: Wells

In every county I’ve visited on my Hoosier Crossroads Tour, I’ve asked a simple question to the local elected officials in the county: What are some of your best practices that you can share with the rest of the state?

I’ve gotten many different answers, but my favorites are the ones that have taken up consolidation efforts on their own, like Wells County.

“Consolidation” is sometimes a dirty word to local officials who fear their community might lose its identity. Being from a rural area, I can understand those concerns. But consolidation that our administration has advocated can take many different forms.

The big consolidations – city and county, town and township – make all the headlines, but some counties like Wells are simply consolidating management functions. The local officials there told me some of their best practices include centralized dispatch for emergency services, a centralized planning commission, and a combined health department.

These types of consolidations are the kind that business is very good at and government struggles to do. Yet, they eliminate redundancy, cut bureaucracy, and ultimately save taxpayer dollars. The officials in Wells County assure me that service has not declined just because a county and a town have chosen to work together. That’s the most important thing.

I’m encouraged by those areas that have taken it upon themselves to consolidate some functions. Now, we need to look at how to encourage other counties to do the same.

Providing Better Patient Care in Rural Communities

Lt. Governor Skillman speaks at St. Vincent Williamsport Hospital about the Indiana Telehealth Network. The Indiana Telehealth Network is providing rural hospitals throughout Indiana access to broadband to improve patient care. Read about the Lt. Governor's visit to Warren County here.

County 24: Brown

If you ever fall into the trap of thinking that all Indiana counties are the same, think of Brown County.

As someone who has been in every county multiple times, I can tell you that each one is unique.

You’re probably familiar with Brown County due to tourism. The area’s natural beauty and historic districts have made a great local vacation destination for decades. But Brown County is our 12^th least populous county.

Lt. Governor Becky Skillman talks to local Hoosiers at Farm House Cafe and Tea Room Resturant in Beanblossom.

Local elected officials will note that about half of all land in the county is tax-exempt, which can cause many funding problems. Here’s an example: As part of my day in the county, I visited the employees of the Abe Martin Lodge at Brown County State Park, a tax-exempt property. Throughout the year, an extraordinary number of county EMS runs are needed at the state park, and most of those visitors treated are not county residents.

This would be a great example of where some fiscal flexibility could be beneficial. If property taxes are insufficient in some areas, could revenues from innkeeper or food and beverage taxes be used to supplement them? Should local governments be able to transfer between funds without layers of red tape?

It’s an issue we’re looking at and hope to talk more about this coming year.

County 23: LaPorte

As you probably know by now, a large part of my Hoosier Crossroads Tour is a meeting with local officials, where we talk about how the state and local governments can operate and interact more efficiently. These meetings have been going exceptionally well, and we have lots of good ideas that we hope to implement soon.

Lt. Governor Skillman has lunch with local Hoosiers at Portofino Grill.

Our LaPorte County meeting was one of the smaller meetings we had, and that in part had to do with something else that happened that week: Election Day.

Across the state, Hoosiers living in cities and towns went to the ballot box to elect their local leaders. As we talk about ways to reform local government, it’s important to remember that elections are the one type of reform that’s always on the table.

If you’re happy with the way your city, state, or country is working, keep the incumbent. If you’re in need of a new direction, go with the opponent. Last Tuesday, we saw plenty of each. Voters stood up and said that a government that works is more important than an ideological government.

Either way, we know that the government services will continue almost seamlessly. It’s always nice to know we live in a country with such peaceful transfers of power.

County 22: Orange

Imagine if you could live in the building where you attended high school. For some Paoli residents that is now a possibility. The old Paoli High School, which was built in 1927 and closed in 1967, has been converted into 22 apartments for low and middle income Hoosiers thanks to Indiana’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). 



The charm of the new apartment complex is not the only thing I was impressed by. Some would see the abandoned building as a waste of space; instead local officials and Hoosier Uplands saw the building as a community asset and decided to do something. In addition to the $5.3 million NSP grant, local officials leveraged other funding.

Residents are realizing the quality that was put into this historic landmark. The owners have a long list of applicants who would like to live in the old high school. I’m sure this kind of interest in the area will spark additional investment in the area, which is exactly the kind of revitalization we like to see. 



Local and state officials give the Lt. Governor

a tour of the old Paoli High School that was

recently converted into affordable housing.



As I walked through the wide hallways, once teeming with students, I couldn’t help but notice a few relics that were preserved: some old school lockers, class photos, and a blackboard. I also got a chance to admire a few items that were found in a 1927 time capsule that was uncovered during the renovations. Community leaders decided to bury a new time capsule to be opened in 2095. I enjoyed adding a personal letter to the new time capsule. So much has changed in the last 84 years, and I can only imagine what Orange County will look like 84 years from today.



I always enjoy visits back to Orange County – an area I represented during my time in the state senate. In addition to the Paoli project, it was also nice to be at the French Lick Hotel for the Indiana Golf Course Owners Association’s conference. Golf is a great economic driver in Indiana and we are grateful for the prosperity this sport has created. The state’s tourism website – visitindiana.com – features golf get-a-ways. We know that golfers stay longer and spend more money than other tourists.  Whether golf is your sport or not, check out www.visitindiana.com for tons of trip ideas.



County 21: Perry

I’ve visited more than 20 counties so far on my Hoosier Crossroads Tour. Sometimes, I’m concerned that I’ll start seeing the same thing over and over. So far, that hasn’t happened, and I think that’s because each community is unique and continues to add its own creative twist to the story.

I saw improvement through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) in Terre Haute in August (http://beckyskillman.blogspot.com/2011/08/lt-governor-celebrates-terre-hautes.html). They were noteworthy for their speed in acquiring abandoned property and turning into affordable, livable housing. In Perry County, Tell City’s version of NSP was similar, with one of those creative twists.



Lt. Governor Skillman observes high school

students build a house. The students are working

with Habitat for Humanity in building affordable

housing for the community, while also earning

school credit.



Tell City partnered with Habitat for Humanity and Tell City High School building trades to build these new affordable housing units. We all know about the wonderful work Habitat for Humanity does to build housing for those who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford it. In fact, my staff has participated in Habitat builds the last two years. So involving this non-profit group in the NSP plan was an excellent idea.

In addition to that, Habitat brought students from the nearby school to participate in the build. These students helped build the home for class credit. It’s an innovative way for these youths to learn a real-world skill while helping their friends and neighbors. I had the pleasure of talking to those students and I came away very impressed.

As for me, I’ll continue this statewide adventure and look forward to the next creative twist.



County 20: Delaware

A shiny new red locomotive stretches from one end of the former Westinghouse/ABB plant to the other as a crowd gathers around it. This impressive sight was not staged for anyone’s entertainment, but rather it was the centerpiece of a celebration marking economic achievement.



Lt. Governor Skillman speaks at the locomotive unveiling
ceremony for Progress Rail in Muncie



Last week I spoke to an excited audience as Progress Rail unveiled the first two locomotives built at their new Muncie facility. Governor Mitch announced last year that Progress Rail chose Indiana over other states, and we’re glad to see much-needed jobs come to fruition in East Central Indiana.

Progress Rail, a subsidiary of Caterpillar, had plenty of options to expand around the country, but they chose to grow here in Indiana. The state was a proud partner in this investment, but we also collaborated with local business and community leaders to make this possible in Muncie. 

We’re pleased to see Progress Rail growing and competing in Indiana’s world-class manufacturing industry. Manufacturing has always been one of Indiana’s strengths, and we like high paying jobs that accompany advanced manufacturing operations. We treat every sector as an economic development tool for the entire state. That strategy has proven effective as we’ve secured commitments for more than 17, 550 jobs and more than $2.3 billion in investments so far in 2011.

Nothing makes us happier than businesses that find a home in Indiana, grow in Indiana, and stay in Indiana. We look forward to many more locomotives chugging out of Muncie for years to come.

County 19: Warren

In the Information Age that we live in now, it’s pretty easy for us to take information technology for granted. You’re reading this post on a blog or in an email, and it’s almost second nature.

But for some of the most rural parts of our state, that connectivity has been a long time coming. That’s why I visited St. Vincent’s Hospital in Williamsport to celebrate their inclusion in the Indiana Telehealth Network (ITN).



Lt. Governor Skillman talks with a St. Vincent's
Williamsport doctor about the Indiana
Telehealth Nework.



ITN will connect 60 rural hospitals and health centers in Indiana with fiber broadband. St. Vincent’s Williamsport is a small hospital with only about 10 beds. Connecting them with fiber will allow advances such as real-time video conferencing with specialists. Rather than traveling to another city or state, patients could get a diagnosis right from Williamsport.

Running broadband to the hospital also allows much of Warren County to be connected as well.

I’ve seen throughout this Crossroads Tour that every community has its own challenges. Some 95 percent of Indiana has high-speed internet coverage, so many Hoosiers might be surprised to learn that not all areas are connected. That’s why agencies I oversee – like the Office of Community and Rural Affairs – have a variety of programs to fit each community’s needs.



County 18: Hamilton

A key component of a community’s economic recovery is a thriving downtown. The downtown is the heart of a community – a place where people spend time and money. Throughout Indiana there are thousands of great downtowns that each offers a unique experience. Recently I recognized 18 individuals, business, and communities for excellence in main streets.



Lt. Governor Skillman visits with Hoosiers at the
annual Indiana Main Street awards



The Indiana Main Street Awards were presented during the two day Indiana Main Street conference. The Main Street conference hosted local representatives throughout Indiana, and provided further assistance in helping develop a thriving downtown. This year’s awards luncheon was held at Alice’s restaurant in Arcadia. The small town in northern Hamilton County is one of 105 Main Street Communities across the state.

For nearly 30 years, the Indiana Main Street program has worked with local communities to restore and revitalize downtowns. The program’s strength lies in how it brings together local business leaders, government officials, and citizens to help bring positive change. 

This program has brought billions of dollars of investment; thousands of new jobs; and countless rehabilitation, construction, and housing projects to communities. So next time you enjoy your local downtown, take pride in the legacy your Main Street program is creating for your community.  

County 17: Cass

Hoosiers never cease to inspire me, and 25 teenage boys who earned their GED while behind bars, provided not only inspiration but hope. The teens earned their degrees through Logansport Juvenile Correctional Facility’s Vantage Pointe Learning Center, and I had the pleasure of speaking during their graduation ceremony last week (read what I had to say to them here).

You couldn’t help but feel the emotion in the room. There were tears and smiles from parents, grandparents, and several correctional staff members who all came to show their support for the graduates.

Despite their difficult circumstances, these young men decided to aim higher. Two of the boys passed with honors, scoring at least 620 points on the exam. One even returned for the ceremony even though he had been released – a clear indication that this young man appreciated the staff at the Logansport facility. 

Each got the individual attention they needed to succeed from the dedicated team of staff. The staff knew these young men could achieve much more, and just needed the right amount of support and encouragement. The correctional staff has the right philosophy, and truly understands that their work impacts the future of our state.

County 16: Henry

Lt. Governor Skillman Announces:
Lift Truck Manufacturer to Grow Production in Henry County

NEW CASTLE, Ind. (Oct. 17, 2011) - Lt. Governor Becky Skillman joined executives from Crown Equipment Corporation, a manufacturer of materials handling equipment, today to announce that the company will expand its operations here, creating up to 150 new jobs by 2013.

The company, which makes a variety of lift trucks and hand pallet trucks for manufacturers and retailers, will invest more than $15 million to purchase and renovate the 982,000 square-foot former Metaldyne building and purchase new machinery to increase capacity in support of current operations.



Lt. Governor Skillman announces a job expansion
for Crown Equipment in New Castle



"Crown is a large, nationally-recognized company with many options to expand," said Skillman. "These new jobs could have landed somewhere else, but Indiana's low cost of doing business and Crown's continuing commitment to our state is once again creating opportunities for east central Indiana workers."

The company currently has more than 580 employees throughout its seven locations in Indiana. It plans to begin hiring additional manufacturing, maintenance and service personnel this fall to coincide with facility improvements and expanded manufacturing capacity.

"The New Castle facility gives Crown the needed floor space to support our expanding product line. In addition, the location is centrally located to our other facilities, which affords us some logistics benefits. We have had great success with our other operations in Indiana and we look forward to continuing that success," said Jim Dicke III, president of Crown.

Founded in 1945, the company originally manufactured temperature controls for coal burning furnaces. Entering the materials handling industry in 1957, Crown is now among the world's largest manufacturers of lift trucks. Crown operates 11 manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Crown Equipment Corporation up to $1.2 million in performance-based tax credits based on the company's job creation plans. The city of New Caste will consider additional property tax abatement at the request of the Henry County Development Center Inc.

"The city of New Castle is very appreciative of Crown's decision to select New Castle as a location for their new manufacturing facility," said Mayor Jim Small. "Crown is well known for their quality and innovation and is a great match for our community's highly skilled manufacturing workforce."

Crown's announced expansion is the latest in a series of manufacturing announcements in Central Indiana. Just last week, LEP Special Fasteners, a manufacturer of specialty steel fasteners, announced plans to relocate parts of its operations from Illinois to Frankfort, creating up to 160 new jobs by 2015. Also, Böttcher America Corporation, a manufacturer of printing and industrial materials, recently announced plans to expand its operations in Tipton, creating up to 35 new jobs by 2014.

County 15: Martin

The Corner Café, located off the main street of Loogootee, is quickly becoming a favorite restaurant among locals. Premium coffee drinks, homemade soups and fresh baked goods are attracting Hoosiers to the Corner Café. And that’s good news for not only the café, but entire city of Loogootee.

The Corner Café is a family-operated business that opened its doors after it found space in a newly renovated building located in the heart of Loogootee. Loogootee is one of eight communities in Indiana that is taking part in the state’s Real Estate Capital Access Program (RECAP).  I recently met with local officials at the Corner Café to see their RECAP progress.

 

The new facades look wonderful, especially in conjunction with another project. When an old theater collapsed, Loogootee used CDBG funds to clear the site and replace it with a small park and parking lot.

Launched in 2007, RECAP offers the eight communities access to funding for façade renovation to encourage the redevelopment of downtown main streets in rural areas. We have seen how a relatively limited amount of renovation dollars encourages private investment. We have seen community pride swell after main street renovations. People want to spend more time on their main street.

Our public and private partners in Loogootee are excelling in RECAP. One of the best stories came from a local business owner who was skeptical about the program. But after she saw the positive impact it had on her city, she decided to join the program for the second phase. This is the type of community support that will lead to even greater community and economic development in Loogootee.

County 14: Clinton

Lt. Governor Skillman announces with LEP Special Fasteners' executives their plans to create 160 new jobs by 2015 in Frankfort. LEP Special Fasteners, a manufacturer of specialty fasteners, plans to begin hiring next month as they move their operations from Illinois to Frankfort. To learn more click here.



County 13: Ohio

I traveled to Indiana’s smallest county – Ohio County – earlier this month as part of my Hoosier Crossroads Tour. Ohio County is home to one of our best Real Estate Capital Access Programs (RECAP), in picturesque Rising Sun.

But I want to take a moment to highlight an important part about how Ohio County government operates. On this tour, yes, I’ve been visiting projects the state has partnered in or funded, but I’ve also been meeting with local elected officials to talk about how government works.

I’ve learned a lot, and you’ll be hearing more about results of these conversations soon. In Ohio County, there’s a great example of what we are trying to do. Due to the county’s size (86 square miles and 6,100 residents), the only city and the county government work well together.

In Indiana, we have multiple layers of local government. For years, we’ve been talking about ways to streamline that government so it spends taxpayer money more efficiently.

In Ohio County, the collaboration is everywhere. Folks say “one size fits all” government is not good for our 92 counties. That may be true, but it’s amazing the similarities I see between the officially consolidated government of Marion County (Indianapolis) and Ohio County, where you sometimes can’t tell where county government stops and city government begins.

A lot of counties could learn a thing or two by seeing how far cooperation can take you.

County 12: Whitley

In Whitley County, I loved seeing the positive things happening thanks to their Real Estate Capital Access Program (RECAP). Three of my agencies – the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority along with the Offices of Tourism and Community and Rural Affairs – launched RECAP in 2007 as a way to encourage the redevelopment of downtown “Main Streets”.

You don’t need me to tell you that Main Streets are often the heart of Indiana communities and each one is as unique as your fingerprint. But over the years, many have suffered from age and apathy. I’ve noticed that deterioration affects the mood of a community and can often contribute to a depressed downtown.

Local leaders often lack the funds necessary to fix these issues, and that’s why we created RECAP. Columbia City’s share of RECAP 2.0 – the second round of the program – was $100,000. Columbia City maximized that contribution by moving it into a Revolving Loan Fund for business loans, and also leveraging an additional $100,000 from their Tax Increment Financing District funds.

I toured the Van Buren building in Whitley County, which will soon house a restaurant, a banquet center, and office space. Those types of improvements to long-abandoned or underutilized buildings can really make a difference for downtowns.

County 11: White

In this job, I meet and have conversations with a lot of people I’ve never met before. One of the things I ask most often in these situations is, “Are you a native of this area?”

I ask that for several reasons. Sometimes I find a person is from a part of the state I used to represent in the Senate. Sometimes I find a relatively new Hoosier. And it always breaks the ice. But in White County last week, I heard an answer that brought a smile to my face.

One of the leaders in White County’s Hometown Competitiveness program responded to the question by saying she was born and raised in Monticello, but she left after high school. It wasn’t until several years later she decided to return to her hometown.

That’s the type of story that keeps me interested in developing even our most rural cities and towns, and it’s the type of story that makes the Hometown Competitiveness program a success. HTC is about the spirit of continuous improvement for a community. It doesn’t involve a lot of grant dollars to construct buildings or roads like many of our programs do, but it builds leaders and an atmosphere of progress in a community. (Read about another HTC success in Ferdinand, Indiana below).

White County HTC has one of the most successful leadership trainings in the state, helping adults to be strong, civically engaged contributors in the community. They also have programs I’ve never heard of before, like a Youth Chamber, training up the next generation of leaders.

Keeping your hometown competitive in a global economy is very, very difficult. The fact is, not every child will want to stay near where they grew up. But those who do want to stay should never be forced away for lack of opportunity. We’re happy to have partners in White County living that out every day.

County 10: Dubois



If you blink, you may miss the tiny town of Ferdinand – population 2,157. However, this Dubois County town has been on my radar for years. Local leaders were one of the first Indiana communities to sign-up to be part of a state pilot program, the Indiana Hometown Competitiveness program.



Officials from Ferdinand's Hometown

Competitiveness program give the

Lt. Governor a tour of the new YMCA.

Local residences have created a

community area by building the

new library, YMCA and park in the

same area.



I sat down with the leaders of Ferdinand’s Hometown Competitiveness program in the new library to get an update. Keith Fritz, a talented craftsman whose fine furniture pieces are featured in showrooms across the United States, was one of the first to tell me how the program has changed his business.



Keith started his business in D.C. but realized, with the steep cost of doing business in Washington, he could do better back home in Indiana. He told me how the local bank gave him special financing and how others helped him set up shop in Ferdinand – assistance that is not found in a large city like D.C. he said.  At 34-years-old Keith is receiving national recognition for his furniture and is employing the local community.

The Hometown Competitiveness program gives rural communities a comprehensive framework for economic and community development. Ferdinand is focused on not only entrepreneurship but leadership, charitable assets, tourism, youth engagement and population growth – areas of growth the local leadership decided to focus on. Thanks to the dedication of the local leaders, I expect even more growth in Ferdinand in the years to come.  

There are more than a dozen communities who are taking part in the Hometown Competitiveness program. To find out more visit, http://www.in.gov/ocra/2351.htm.



County 9: Hancock

While in Greenfield, I found myself surrounded by pigs and the family of farmers that cares for them. As Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture this is not an unusual day for me. In fact, I enjoyed rolling up my sleeves, getting my hands a little dirty, and experiencing Indiana agriculture with the Hill family. 

Lt. Governor Skillman tours one
of the hog barns at the Hill
Family Farm in Greenfield with
one of the Hill children.

Marc and Heather Hill were named Pork Producers of the Year in 2010. These outstanding pork producers are also currently going through our Certified Livestock Producer Program. More than 50 Indiana farmers have completed this voluntary program, and have demonstrated their commitment to the industry’s best practices (environmental practices, animal well-being, food safety, biosecurity, emergency planning and being a good neighbor).

The Hill family is also teaching the fifth generation all that they know about farming. Their three young children are already excited about agriculture (they couldn’t get their youngest little girl away from the pigs). And their son couldn’t wait to show me their new climate-controlled barn. Here is a video of him explaining to me how the water system works.

Read more about the Certified Livestock Producer Program here, http://www.in.gov/isda/2441.htm.

County 8: Allen

On both the state and national levels, we’ve had debates on how to best create jobs and opportunities. I firmly believe that the government does not create jobs, nor can it create demand where none exists.

But we found when we visited Huntertown, just north of Fort Wayne, that when the demand exists, a little tax incentive can help turn that demand into reality. I visited Cameron Crossing, a new neighborhood by Fort Wayne’s Keller Development, in early September. Finishing touches were being put on the residential units, which ranged from one- to four-bedrooms. A waiting list for these units developed even before the company began advertising available units.

On the first day in-person applications were accepted, Keller staff expected the crowd to be so large that they asked the utility companies to send representatives to sign up new residents while they waited.

To build these units, Keller took advantage of Section 42 Rental Housing Tax Credits. This program, administered by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, simply provides a federal tax incentive to build affordable housing units.

It’s a program that has provided excellent housing opportunities across Indiana. And when the project is in the hands of a good developer like Keller, they are housing opportunities that last. One of their employees said a similar development in Fort Wayne several years ago met some community resistance because of the stigma of “affordable housing”. But decades later, that development and many others are as peaceful and as beautiful as ever.

Cameron Crossing is a good example of the positive projects that can be built when the government simply incentivizes private investment.

Lt. Governor Celebrates Terre Haute’s Neighborhood Revitalization

TERRE HAUTE – Lt. Governor Becky Skillman congratulated Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett today on making Terre Haute the first community in Indiana to complete work under the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). Skillman visited Vigo County today as part of her Hoosier Crossroads Tour.

The city, which was awarded $1,850,000 of NSP funds in May 2009, has completed the construction, acquisition, and demolition of targeted properties in the Central Eastside Neighborhood. Now, 90 percent of the 28 new residential units are occupied.

“This program has made an impact on meeting the housing needs and preventing blight in cities across the state, and none has done it better and faster than Mayor Bennett and the Department of Redevelopment in Terre Haute,” Lt. Governor Becky Skillman said.

Thirty recipients shared more than $78 million of NSP funding. The City of Terre Haute, through its Department of Redevelopment leveraged an additional $1,415,000 in local grant resources and private financing to assist three non-profits with the construction of 28 new residential units (including 4 handicap accessible units). It also allowed the Department of Redevelopment to acquire 23 parcels for land banking to develop new residential units and demolish 36 abandoned/vacant residential structures.

“We’ve successfully filled abandoned properties, stemming the decline in neighboring property values and stabilizing a neighborhood struggling to recover from foreclosures and lack of development,” said Mayor Duke Bennett.

The City’s desired impact and outcome for the Central Eastside Neighborhood was to provide opportunities for low- to moderate-income citizens to live in decent, safe, affordable housing, and develop stronger partnerships with non-profit organizations.

Vigo County was Lt. Governor Skillman’s seventh stop on her Hoosier Crossroads Tour. For updates, visit www.beckyskillman.blogspot.com.

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