County 48: Clay

It is always exciting to see the large impact that can be made when a few abandoned homes are razed or restored. The Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), which is administered by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, aided in the reconstruction of 13 blighted properties in Brazil. The properties are then resold to low- to moderate-income families. 



Lt. Governor Skillman tours a home in Brazil, IN rebuilt
through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, which is
administered through her Indiana Housing and Community
Development Authority.



The NSP fund allocated $1.4 million to a neighborhood in the North-West section of Brazil. Upon my arrival, I wanted to view one of the new homes, and I couldn’t have been more impressed with its design. It was a wow moment when Stacy Gibbens, the local project administrator, showed me the before and after pictures of each property. It was also very encouraging to hear that only three properties still need to be sold.  

Stacy, Mayor Wyndham, and Angie Pappano (also a project administrator) took me on a tour of the three-bedroom, two-bathroom home. It was a two-story structure and came with a fully equipped kitchen. I could envision a well-deserving family residing inside. 

I have viewed several NSP projects around the state, and I always notice the next-door neighbors to these new homes. After seeing a cleaned up yard and new house built next to them, many neighbors now take pride in their own property to revitalize it, as well. It creates quite the ripple effect for the neighborhood. 

As I continue on my 92 county Hoosier Crossroads Tour, I look forward to hearing about the continued successes from the NSP project in Brazil. I know it will have a lasting impact on the community and on several families who will be given the opportunity of homeownership.

County 47: Parke

As I travel around the state, I enjoy doing something I call “windshield research”. And as I traveled through Parke County I witnessed the abundance of state parks and lakes in addition to their covered bridges. Parke County offers a lot of tourist attractions with Turkey Run and Shades State Parks as well as Raccoon Lake. After talking to local leaders, I know they’re looking forward to the summer travel season and if this weather holds up they will hopefully see huge numbers.

After moving through the county I reached my destination: the town of Montezuma. A few years ago, local officials worked hard to win a very competitive $500,000 Community Focus Fund grant from our Office of Community and Rural Affairs to build a community center. To their credit, they raised $88,500 of their own money as well. 



Lt. Governor Skillman tours a Community Center in
Montezuma which received grant funding from her
 Office of Community and Rural Affairs



Cathy Morgan, the town clerk treasurer, offered to show me the product of our collaboration. The Community Center was fantastic. It had several large rooms for meeting space, a built in projector and screen, and a nice big kitchen. During my visit, I talked to a few of the members of the community who were eating their lunch before helping out with the local meals on wheels program. The Center hosts everything

from a family Christmas party, to graduation open houses, to town meetings, and community events. I can say the money has been put to good use.

Allen Cobb, the town council president, also came out to discuss several of their local projects with me. The town has also received a grant for a new fire truck and recently fixed up their town park. Needless to say this small community is doing big things. 

My fourth visit to Parke County as Lt. Governor was quite successful. I was extremely pleased with our state’s investment in the Montezuma Community Center and certainly enjoyed my “windshield research” of all the beautiful scenery in Parke County.

County 46: St. Joseph

My trip to St. Joseph County brought me to the Heritage Place at LaSalle Square, a senior housing development that is currently under construction but presents great possibilities for the community in South Bend.

I joined Representative Timothy Wesco and local developers for a tour and a discussion about the impact of this project.  This area of South Bend had posed a problem for leaders for some time, and the entire community has been eager to see it improve.  The use of this property as a senior housing development is intended to rejuvenate a neglected area, bringing life back to the retail section with new residents to frequent the shops. 

This development was made possible with low income tax credits from the state, and I was proud to see state government partnering on a project that will have such a positive impact.

County 45: Marshall

We all know Indiana weather is strange, but it’s definitely an odd year when the golf courses in our state opened several months early with some never closing for winter. But that’s what I heard when I visited Mystic Hills Golf Club, a course in Culver that welcomed golfers months ahead of schedule.

Golfers from Indianapolis and South Bend talk to
Lt. Governor Becky Skillman at Mystic Hills Golf
Club in Culver on March 27.

Mystic Hills is one of Indiana’s Pete Dye Golf Trail courses. Launched nearly a year ago, the trail incorporates seven courses including Mystic Hills. Renowned golf architect Pete Dye has built golf courses all over the nation with most of his courses concentrated in Indiana. To learn more about the trail visit, www.petedyegolftrail.com.

At Mystic Hills, I had an opportunity to talk with owner Vicki Pugh. Vicki and her son Dave, the course’s golf pro, have been hard at work to promote the Pete Dye Golf Trail.

People are traveling from out-of-town, including Chicago, to play the courses on the trail. The mild winter was good news for an industry that already has a strong impact on the state. Indiana’s golf industry contributes $1.7 billion to the economy.

Indiana is home to beautiful golf courses, and the Pete Dye Trail highlights only a few of what our state has to offer. To find out what courses are near you visit, visitindianagolf.com.

County 44: Wabash

Throughout the Hoosier Crossroads Tour, I have had the opportunity to meet with leaders from various communities who lead their local Indiana Main Street program. Recently, I sat down with Main Street leaders from Wabash and North Manchester at the Charley Creek Inn. I was impressed by the collaboration between Wabash and North Manchester. They are working together and sharing ideas to ensure that Indiana’s main streets remain strong hubs for Hoosiers to live, work and play.

You have read several posts from me on how our Indiana Main Street program is strengthening communities. This time watch this video of Renata Robinson, executive director of Manchester’s Main Street, explain her experience with the Indiana Main Street program.

County 43: Grant

Recently I was in Grant County to meet with local elected officials. I also got the opportunity to stop by the WBAT studio to share my visit with Tim George and Ed Breen. I have talked on Tim's show consistently once a month since 2005. It was pleasure this month to be able to be in studio to chat about my Hoosier Crossroads visit to Grant County. If you missed our conversation, listen below.

http://www.in.gov/lg/files/lt_gov_3-23.mp3

Lt. Governor Skillman talks to Ed Breen (left) and
Tim George in the WBAT studio during her Hoosier
Crossroads stop in Grant County.

County 42: Scott

I was in Scott County last week for an exciting economic development announcement. 


I was delighted to join in the groundbreaking of the new facility for Buchanan Group Services. This is not only a strong Hoosier homegrown company, it is a humanitarian group as well. Staff members are currently working in tornado ravaged areas close to Scottsburg, to help reorganize and reconstruct rural cemeteries.

This company has been a part of the Scottsburg community for many years, and this new investment will ensure many more years of service.

The memorials they produce become an important part of our family history and our state history. It’s good to know that during the difficult days of planning a funeral, there are trustworthy companies like this one, ready to create beautiful tributes and help us remember those we love.

We’ll soon see construction crews working on a new building, where 24 new workers will keep production going thanks to Buchanan Group’s $2.3 million investment. Scott County has been hit hard over the past few years, and few things more rewarding than seeing company expand and grow, at a time when we most need jobs.

I thank the Buchanan Group for this investment in our state and in our people. It’s a much needed vote of confidence in the workforce and the community.