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Refreshing Rural Indiana

Refreshing Rural Indiana. LG-Elect Sue Ellspermann Indiana Rural Summit. Lieutenant Governor-Elect. Grew up in Ferdinand, population 2200 1 of 6 children Working in family-owned jewelry store Graduated from Forest Park High School (500 students) Purdue University Industrial Engineer

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Refreshing Rural Indiana

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  1. Refreshing Rural Indiana LG-Elect Sue Ellspermann Indiana Rural Summit

  2. Lieutenant Governor-Elect • Grew up in Ferdinand, population 2200 • 1 of 6 children • Working in family-owned jewelry store • Graduated from Forest Park High School (500 students) • Purdue University Industrial Engineer • Worked for GM, Michelin and Frito-Lay • Owned a small consulting firm in problem solving and strategic planning • Completed PhD from University of Louisville • Founded USI’s Center for Applied Research • Elected State Rep District 74 2010

  3. Rural Indiana – circa 1960’s • Vibrant rural communities • Large farm families and family farms • Schools bursting with students • Thriving Main Streets • Abundant entrepreneurship • Abundant young leaders (i.e. Jaycees) • Pick-up games in every park or court • No need to lock your doors • Mayberry RFD

  4. Rural Indiana today • Brain drain – loss of young adult population • Empty buildings on Main Street • Fewer locally owned businesses • Shrinking employment opportunities; long commutes • Fewer students in our rural schools • Aged or insufficient infrastructure (sewer, roads, broadband) • “Greybeard” community leaders • Meth, drugs, and crime…even some gangs

  5. The Story of Ferdinand • Expands twice its size each work day (jobs) • Had begun to stagnate in the 80’s (didn’t want change) • In 2006, town leadership developed a 10-year vision • The vision embraced growth and development • In 2008, Ferdinand became a pilot for Indiana Hometown Competitiveness • During the recession, Ferdinand kept moving: • Tri-County YMCA • New library • Several new businesses • A new interstate development • A historic home preservation project • A town trails project • 2012 National Blue Ribbon School • Highest ISTEP scores in state • Christkindlmarktrated Top 100 Event in North America by Motorcoach Association

  6. How might we refresh.. reinvigorate… renew… rebrand… rural Indiana?

  7. Rural Indiana Refreshed • Agriculture • Entrepreneurship • Economic Development • Visioning • Community Development • Rural Workforce Development • Infrastructure Development

  8. Agriculture • Support development of a Food and Agriculture Innovation Corridor • Fix the Farm Property Tax Assessment • Promote Agriculture-related Careers in high school and higher education • Connect local farmers to “Locally Grown” opportunities

  9. Entrepreneurship • Expand the Young Entrepreneur Program • Develop Rural Entrepreneurship/Small Business funding (RETIF bill) • Increase SBDC presence and reach into rural communities leveraging OCRA model • Create link between Indiana Applied Research Enterprise and rural communities, entrepreneurs, and businesses

  10. Economic Development • Work with rural LEDO’s to develop regional initiatives • Leverage OCRA, ISBDC, and OITD to promote expansion, retention and attraction of businesses • Link farmers to Food and Agriculture Innovation Corridor initiatives, new products, and new services

  11. Community Development • Expand Indiana HomeTown Competitiveness and Main Street programs • Expand Stellar Communities • Facilitate Community and Regional Visioning • Promote rural communities and “ruralness”

  12. Rural Workforce Development • Expand Project Lead the Way to all rural schools • Expand Agriculture and STEM education in high schools • Develop Career and Technical Education linked to regional industries • Create more dual credit/dual degree options for rural schools • Connect young adults to local industry and business opportunities

  13. Infrastructure Development • Develop a statewide comprehensive road funding plan • Expand P3 (public private partnership) opportunities • Assist communities in leveraging best assets • Explore new infrastructure funding tools for rural communities

  14. Goal • Increase the prosperity of rural communities, rural families and rural businesses • Measured by: • Employment/number of jobs • Net population growth • School enrollment growth • Per capita income • Educational attainment • New business starts • Rural satisfaction metric (to be developed)

  15. A Vision for Rural Communities • Bustling Main Streets • Full, high achieving rural schools • New businesses: high tech, low tech, retail and service • High wage, plentiful jobs within a 30 minute commute • Young adults choosing to return home and attracted to our small towns and lifestyle • Large, medium and small agricultural enterprises • Thriving families • “Neighbors helping neighbors” culture • Safe, low crime communities

  16. Can we do it? • We can… • It starts with each of us… • …Built organically so that communities can pursue their own unique visions. • Our Administration will facilitate and partner.

  17. Let’s Refresh Rural IndianaTogether

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