County 77: Pike

The final stage of asphalt is currently being laid down, and in just a few short months I-69 from Evansville to Crane will be opened to motorists. Along that corridor sits the City of Petersburg, and they’re looking to capitalize on the increased traffic flow right alongside their city limits. The potential for economic growth in the region brought me to Petersburg. I met with Mayor John Craig and local leaders to hear about current and future projects.

My longtime passion has been rural economic development, which is why last year I created the Stellar Communities initiative. Several of the agencies I oversee collaborate to help our smaller cities and towns fund their comprehensive projects. As a finalist this year, officials from Petersburg put together a detailed plan addressing many of their long term goals; including downtown revitalization and economic development along I-69. Petersburg now has a strategic plan in place to grow right in step with the increased traffic flow that the new interstate will bring.

Please see the video below to hear my brief remarks to local leaders during my Hoosier Crossroads Stop in Petersburg.

County 76: Spencer

When you walk in to the Chrisney Branch of the Lincoln Heritage Public Library, it is clear that something special is going on there.  Friendly staff are there to greet you and help you use the wide range of resources available – from public computers to their growing collection of books and recordings.  But this library also boasts one of the most innovative facilities in the state.  

Thanks to a Community Focus Fund grant awarded in 2007, through our Office of Community and Rural Affairs, Chrisney became home to Indiana’s first net zero library. That means the library uses solar and geothermal technology to reduce energy costs to zero.  Renewable energy has tremendously reduced operating expenses, freeing up resources in this small-town library for much more important things, like good librarians and better selection. 

I was impressed with the innovative way Chrisney leaders approached their goal of providing library services.  Thanks to their hard work and partnership with the state, they have created an outstanding asset for the entire community. 

Here is a video from my conversation with library staff. 

County 75: Greene

There are impressive renovations going on in downtown Linton.  I had the privilege of meeting local business owners and investors, Jeff and Vickie Doris, who have undertaken a wide variety of improvements to downtown properties, ranging from commercial to residential space. 



I was greeted by a group of local leaders when I stepped out onto Main Street.  After meeting Mayor John Wilkes and some of the creative minds behind these projects, we stepped through the doors of the long-vacant Cine movie theater. 



Lt. Gov. Skillman meets with business owners and property developers,
Jeff and Vickie Doris outside their Linton Family Pharmacy with
Linton Mayor John Wilkes and architect, Stan Palma.



The building had once been home to a beautiful theater, but after nearly 30 years time had taken its toll.  The building still swept down to a large stage area, but everything had been stripped down to brick and beam.  Construction is just beginning, but I could plainly see the vision the Dorises have for a 41-unit affordable senior-housing facility.  Tax credits were awarded for this project through our Housing and Community Development Authority, and as renovations continue and investors take notice, Linton will have a tremendous new asset.  I hope you’ll keep your eye out for the grand opening of the Cine Senior Apartments in the coming months. 



I know Jeff and Vickie do great work because we ended our time together looking at another one of their projects, the newly renovated home of Charlotte’s Unique Boutique.  I’ve heard a lot about this beautiful ladies’ clothing store over the years, and I was happy to see it for myself and meet Charlotte herself.  It was hard to believe we were in rural Indiana and not in some metropolitan area.  If that’s the kind of quality of what’s in store for the Cine, then we will all have a few more reasons to “like Linton,” as those famous green signs say. 

To learn more about the work of the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, visit www.in.gov/ihcda.   

County 74: Sullivan

For many Hoosiers there is nostalgia for their community’s downtown square.  The department store, the soda parlor, and the theatre all bring back memories of a time when the square was a flurry of activity.  In recent years, many of those businesses have closed up leaving the locals to shop elsewhere. Now throughout Indiana, small cities and towns are restoring storefronts and improving pedestrian paths to allure residents back to their downtown square.



Lt. Governor Skillman meets with the Streets of Sullivan
Group to talk about their Main Street initiaves



In Sullivan, they’re working tirelessly to make their downtown the place to be. The Streets of Sullivan group, which is part of the Indiana Main Street Organization, formed two years ago out of a passion to revitalize the square and get patrons coming back downtown. Using Indiana Main Street’s philosophy, the Streets of Sullivan group is organizing, planning, designing, and restructuring their downtown in pursuit of additional economic opportunity.

The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs not only oversees the Indiana Main Street program, but it also administers millions of dollars every year to help communities with their capacity building plans. Sullivan has received nearly $1.1 million since 2005 for projects like the youth center, wastewater upgrades, and a downtown revitalization planning grant. These dollars are highly competitive, and having a group like the Streets of Sullivan will only help the community’s ideas become reality.

The passion and dedication I witnessed from the local community will undoubtedly result in much success down the road. I look forward to seeing the community thrive and grow in the months and years to come.

County 73: Owen

In 1916 during the state’s centennial celebration the state park system was created with McCormick’s Creek named Indiana’s first state park. At the time not very many states had a park system, making Indiana a model for the rest of the country. Now nearly 100 years later, Indiana still has some of the best state parks in the U.S.  I had the opportunity last week to meet with state park employees at McCormick’s Creek in Spencer.



Lt. Governor Skillman talks with DNR employees
during a Hoosier Crossroads Tour stop at McCormick's Creek



Every year nearly 16 million people visit our state parks and reservoirs. More than 500,000 of those people visit McCormick’s Creek, and I expect that number to increase this year considering the number of warm sunny days we have had.  At McCormick’s Creek, I toured several new updates that have been made to the park in recent years.

The amphitheatre has been restored, which provides space for many events including concerts and weddings. The remodeled dining hall serves campers, like the Boy Scouts. McCormick’s Creek is also home to the Canyon Inn, providing non-campers a place to stay at the park. It also has a restaurant serving many popular Indiana dishes.  These upgrades and facilities make our parks more attractive to visitors, ensuring repeat visits in the future.

McCormick’s Creek consistently brings in more money than they spend making them our most efficiently run state park. This is in part due to the dedicated staff. Even with a tight budget, they still provide an outstanding product for our visitors. I was pleased to have the time to thank them personally for their service to our state.

As the co-chair for Indiana’s bicentennial celebration, I hope to leave a lasting legacy for our state just like those who created our state parks during the centennial celebration.  To read more about the work of the bicentennial commission, visit my blog post from Harrison County where I share news about a land trust that will preserve even more areas in Indiana.

County 72: Monroe

Bloomington hosted the third in our series of four Advancing Women in Business Seminars this year.  I was greeted by an enthusiastic group of entrepreneurs and community leaders at the Bloomington Country Club. 

I spoke about economic development across the state and the recent investments and jobs that have been committed in Monroe County.  I’m encouraged that even in challenging economic times, there are still individual risk takers out there who are ready and willing to jump in when the opportunity is right.  Companies like Circle-Prosco, Employment Plus and Citigal, just to name a few, are investing, committing to new jobs and helping families climb the economic ladder in and around Bloomington. 

Lt. Gov. Skillman speaks during the
Advancing Women in Business Seminar in Bloomington.

Creating a business-friendly environment has been our first priority in state government.  State government is here to provide a helping hand to the business community wherever we can.  Whether a business is big or small, we want to see it prosper. 

One way state government is reaching out is through certification of Women Owned Business.  That puts women at the top of the list for state government contracts, providing a great way for women business owners to expand their business.  There are a lot of needs, lots of purchases in state government, and we keep track of whom we’re working with as we provide services. 

Right now, 1,530 women-owned businesses are certified with the state.  That is nearly a 20 percent increase over last year, and the highest number in state history.  It couldn’t be easier for others to join the ranks and certify their businesses.  Visit www.in.gov/idoa to learn more.

I’ll be traveling to Kokomo soon to finish this summer’s series.  To register for the final Advancing Women in Business Seminar, in Kokomo, visit www.in.gov/ocra.