County 67: Gibson

There’s no way to keep good news secret in a small town.  When I called Princeton Mayor Robert Hurst to tell him his city would be one of this year’s Stellar Communities, it didn’t take long for a full-fledge celebration to take shape.  The crowd, the banners and the excitement all reinforced that choosing Princeton was a good decision.  

Lt. Gov. Skillman names Princeton a 2012 Stellar Community.

The day before I was in Delphi to celebrate the city as a Stellar Community.  Like Princeton, the entire community came out to mark this special occasion, and for good reason. Princeton and Delphi are the only two cities in the state that will be part of the 2012 Stellar Community program – a program that will fund more than $20 million in projects over the next three years.  

Stellar Communities is about making state government effective and efficient by making it intentional and strategic.  Each city or town that applies for Stellar Communities submits a comprehensive report with complete strategic planning.  State agencies then coordinate and provide resources for the big picture, rather than funding isolated projects.  Princeton’s plans for the future will create an outstanding downtown and better quality of life for the entire community.  


I was impressed with the strong support Princeton has from the business community, and the leadership they are providing in celebrating local history.  The Bicentennial Plaza will set an example for the entire state as Princeton and Gibson County celebrate their 200th anniversaries, and Indiana celebrates its bicentennial in 2016.  


I look forward to watching Princeton’s plans take shape as state government works more efficiently and effectively to help put the city’s plan into action. 


You can read more about Stellar Communities on my website.  

County 66: Carroll

When I called Mayor Randy Strasser to tell him Delphi was a 2012 Stellar Community, I think he literally floated to the ceiling as he was so high on emotion. A few days later I went to Delphi for the official celebration, and the mayor was still just as excited.



Lt. Governor Skillman Names Delphi
 a 2012 Stellar Community



Stellar Communities is an initiative I started last year that is a collaboration between several state agencies; the Office of Community and Rural Affairs, the Department of Transportation, Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, and the Indiana Finance Authority. Delphi along with Princeton will share more than $20 million to help fund the cities’ long term comprehensive plans.



When I arrived at the Wabash Erie Canal Center in Delphi, it was like a scene out of Midwest Living magazine. Several hundred Hoosiers, young and mature, were outside with the sun shining bright enjoying BBQ, while kids were running around eating ice cream cones provided by the local Lions Club.  A high school student kicked-off the celebration with a beautiful rendition of the “National Anthem”. The mayor and many community leaders spoke as well. After the official celebration, we took a tour of the city by trolley to see firsthand the areas of town that will be renovated, rebuilt, and rejuvenated.

Delphi plans to revitalize the downtown business district as well as create paths from the Hoosier Heartland Corridor through downtown to increase tourism to the Wabash and Erie Canal Park.  The Delphi Opera House will also be restored to provide the community a venue for the performing arts. Officials will also redevelop the historic near-downtown neighborhoods, creating owner-occupied housing. 

For the past year I’ve been able to see the progress of the 2011 Stellar Communities, Greencastle and North Vernon, as long terms goals are now becoming a reality. I’m looking forward to watching the same results in Delphi.

County 65: Dearborn

When I entered the gymnasium at Sunman-Dearborn Middle School, I was delighted to hear students in the band program providing music.  It was all to honor some very special students, from both the middle and intermediate schools, with my 2012 Hoosier Rising Star Award.


Zachary Cody, Jackie Ketcham, Trevor McClamroch, Chloe Rosenberger, Shelby Lutz, Alex Nishime and Chloe McCracken received Hoosier Rising Star Awards, the first time that this award has been presented to a team of students.  The students are members of Destination ImagiNation, a nonprofit organization that encourages creativity, teamwork and problem solving.

Their project focused on Greendale Cemetery, a historic Dearborn County graveyard, which was damaged by flooding and relocated.  All known records of the individuals buried there were lost. This team of seven students in grades 5th-7th worked with local officials to research, identifies graves and map the historic cemetery. The records they created are now part of the permanent collection at the Lawrenceburg Public Library.


This group took on a difficult and not especially glamorous project.  I couldn’t be more impressed with their research and resourcefulness, not to mention the great contribution they have made to the history of their community and our state.


You can read more about the Hoosier Rising Star Award on my website.

County 64: Jefferson

I’ve visited Madison many times as Lt. Governor, but this was my first opportunity to step inside the St. Patrick Chapel on the campus of the Prince of Peace school community.  


The chapel was filled with students from the near-by elementary school, and the guest of honor was waiting with his family near the front.  Noah Miller is one of this year’s winners of my Hoosier Rising Star Award.  This hard-working young man had once attended the Prince of Peace schools, learning from a gifted teacher known affectionately as Miss Rosie.


Now a junior at Madison Consolidated High School, Noah created an Eagle Scout project in honor of Miss Rosie Kelly, who was diagnosed with cancer.  Kelly frequently took her classes outside to teach in a wooded area.  When the outdoor space became overgrown, Noah restored it for the community and school as a tribute to Kelly who continues to fight her illness. 


I was impressed with Noah’s hard work and serving spirit.  He not only recognized a beloved teacher, he created a space the entire community can enjoy.  It was an honor to present the award to him, and to see the community rally in support of him.  


You can read more about the Hoosier Rising Star Award on my website.

County 63: Switzerland

Many Hoosiers probably don’t realize that tourism in Indiana generates $10 billion a year in revenue to the state and employs nearly 260,000 people. Last week, the office of Tourism Development, which I oversee, began their summer travel initiative with Visit Indiana Week.



Lt. Governor Skillman enjoys a tour of the
 Schneck Mansion B&B during a visit to Vevay



 In an effort to showcase one of the many destinations Indiana has to offer I took a trip down to Switzerland County. While in Vevay, I toured the Schenck Mansion Bed and Breakfast. It was recently recognized in Midwest Living magazine as one of the Top 25 B&B’s in the Midwest.

The 35 room B&B was built in 1874 and has been fully restored to its original décor. I was very impressed with the beautiful copper tubs in each of the guest rooms. They had large porches overlooking the garden and even a vineyard. It truly is the perfect place to get away from our fast pace lives and to relax along the Ohio River in Southeastern Indiana.

For more travel ideas go to www.visitindiana.com. There you’ll find restaurants on the new Indiana food trail, must see sights, and discounts to make your trip more affordable. Also, be sure to watch the videos produced by Ball State students in partnership with IOTD. Six new videos were just added this year, including the Schenck Mansion.

County 62: Crawford

The leaders of Crawford County were in fine form when I traveled to Leavenworth.  I received an incredibly enthusiastic welcome, and I was delighted at the turnout at the fire station.  


I’m extremely proud of the partnership that exists between small cities and towns and state government.  We've worked to make a wide variety of resources available that will help even the most rural areas realize their goals for development.  

One of the best tools we have for that is the Community Focus Funds.  These grants target community development and are frequently used to improve storm water infrastructure, create useful community centers and help first responders on their mission to protect local citizens.


Leavenworth won a $149,990 CFF grant in 2010 to help purchase a new fire engine.  I spoke to local elected officials and fire department staff, and heard first-hand what a difference the grant has made in the town’s ability to respond to emergencies.  


It’s good to know these grants are put to good use, helping communities across the state provide the best possible service to their residents.  

County 61: Harrison

Serving as co-chair of the Indiana Bicentennial Commission, I have enjoyed planning for the celebration of Indiana’s statehood in 2016.  Corydon is, of course, a pivotal place in Indiana history, serving as our first capitol city and the birthplace of our state constitution.  When I met with local leaders there, I was eager to hear what they have planned for the bicentennial and beyond.

Earlier this year, I launched the Bicentennial Nature Trust, an important part of the Commission’s work.   The Trust, first announced in Gov. Daniels’ State of the State Address, is a fund that will be used for conservation projects in every region of the state. The state has seeded the fund with $20 million, and is seeking additional private donations of money and land as well as input from communities on viable projects. You can learn more about how you can participate by visiting our website.


My co-chair, former Congressman Lee Hamilton, and I have been working to get every Hoosier community involved in the bicentennial.  In Corydon, there is a lot of enthusiasm for the celebration, and I hope their example will get other communities engaged in planning the celebration of our history and our future as a state.

County 60: Fountain

I couldn’t be more impressed with the changes in Attica’s downtown area.  I visited with local leaders to discuss the progress they have made with a downtown revitalization grant they received through OCRA’s Community Focus Fund (CFF) program.  


They have done a wonderful job of leveraging the funding and finding local matching dollars to make every penny count.  Thirteen downtown facades have been improved drastically, giving the downtown area a much-needed facelift and attracting new businesses.  

Thirteen of Attica's downtown facades have been improved
drastically, as seen in this before and after image.

I oversee a number of capacity building agencies.  These are agencies that help communities plan strategically and reach their development potential. The Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA), the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, the Office of Energy and other state agencies all distribute millions of dollars to communities every year. The money goes for projects ranging from planning grants to capital projects to neighborhood stabilization.


Attica’s use of state grant dollars have helped make their downtown an attractive hub for business and community events.  Coupled with Attica’s active Indiana Main Street group, the revitalized area will be a huge asset for the city’s continued development. 


I look forward to seeing other communities following Attica’s example of progress as I continue my Hoosier Crossroads Tour. 

County 59: Vermillion

I had a great lunch at L & L Restaurant in Clinton, where I met with local leaders and discussed their concerns and hopes for the future.  


I have always received a very warm welcome in Vermillion County.  When Cayuga received a Community Focus Fund grant for a new fire station and community center, I had the opportunity to celebrate with local residents there.  I think it’s safe to say I made some life-long friends during that visit, not to mention some lasting memories.

Local leaders from Newport to Dana are partnering with the state to move forward on their plans for the future.  There are resources available within our Office of Community and Rural Affairs that can help communities realize their goals; whether that means pursuing better storm water or sewer systems or historic preservation. 


The state has a limited but useful role to play in local development plans. I’m proud of the work Vermillion County leaders are doing to partner with us and take every opportunity they can to move forward.


I am especially interested to see how the Vermillion RISE Mega Park will change the local economy.  The park is a huge economic development tool for the county and the entire region.  With the county’s economic development group and the regional Accelerate West Central Indiana involved in marketing the site, I’m sure there will be good news from that area soon.  


My visit to Vermillion County provided great opportunities to discuss all this and much more.