After 15 months of crisscrossing the state, I have completed yet another journey through all 92 Indiana counties. This final set of stops, called the Hoosier Crossroads Tour, provided me with greater insight into potential efficiencies between state and local governments. My visits also allowed for me to see the state’s return on investment for many statewide projects that have received grant dollars over the past eight years.
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| Lt. Governor Skillman walks the Pumpkinvine Trail during her stop in LaGrange County |
Statewide more than $1 billion in funding assistance for local projects, such as housing developments, local governments’ capital projects and energy assistance, have been administered since 2005 by the five state agencies Lt. Governor Skillman oversees. These agencies primarily aid communities through financial investments and other programs.
However, my fondest memories as Lt. Governor will always be about the people. Traveling from our biggest cities to the most rural towns, there have been so many Hoosiers that have helped move our state forward since 2005. I wanted to thank them once again for their dedication to our state.
Indiana is full of variety and every county offers their own unique contribution to our state. A few of my Hoosier Crossroads visits included:
- Tim Burton’s maple syrup farm in Medora (Jackson County)
- North Harbor Neighborhood Revitalization in East Chicago (Lake County)
- Authentic Swiss Clock tower in Berne (Adams County)
- Pumpkinvine Trail in Shipshewana (LaGrange County)
- First net zero energy efficient library in Chrisney (Spencer County)
- Downtown Revitalization grant for façade upgrades in Winchester (Randolph County)
- Fair Oaks Farms Pig Adventure groundbreaking in Fair Oaks (Newton/Jasper Counties)
- Mounds State Park in Anderson (Madison County)
- Neighborhood Revitalization Program in Brazil (Clay County)
- Street of Sullivan Main Street Economic Development Meeting in Sullivan (Sullivan County)
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| Lt. Governor Skillman tours Tim Burton's maple syrup farm in Medora |
During these stops and many others along the 92-county route, I met with local leadership to gain a better understanding of the successes and struggles facing their communities. I met face-to-face with mayors, county commissioners and locally elected officials to seek input on how the state and locals can create more partnerships.
After traveling to 27 counties, I released a report that highlighted issues from my discussions with local leaders. The report also contained recommendations that would help state and local governments to work together more efficiently. Several of these issues were addressed during the legislative session.
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| Lt. Governor Skillman visits the William Henry Harrison home during a stop in Vincennes |
The Hoosier Crossroads Tour was widely successful and gave me further reassurance that Indiana is moving in the right direction. Many of our communities have long-term strategic plans in place and are capitalizing on many of their key initiatives. I look forward to seeing the state’s progress and know we’ll continue to be a model for the rest of the country.
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