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OCRA’s Mission Statement

OCRA’s Mission Statement. To work with local, state, and national partners to provide resources and technical assistance to aid communities in shaping their vision for community/economic development. State Challenges. Federal and State budget reductions Post-stimulus

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OCRA’s Mission Statement

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  1. OCRA’s Mission Statement To work with local, state, and national partners to provide resources and technical assistance to aid communities in shaping their vision for community/economic development.

  2. State Challenges • Federal and State budget reductions • Post-stimulus • OCRA 17% Federal reduction • Disaster recovery • Agency readiness (internal and external)

  3. Local Challenges • Local finances/budgets going through a sea-change -- a perfect storm • Property tax caps • Reliance on other sources such as LOIT • Recession (substantial reduction of income from LOIT, etc.)

  4. Local Challenges (Nationally) • Local Budget ‘Recession’ through 2012 • Declining Federal and State Assistance • (Intergovernmental transfers account for 31% - 55% of local budgets) • Significantly expanding service needs, particularly social services (workforce training)

  5. Paradigm Shift “… Many important challenges demand a regional approach. The nation is increasingly a conglomeration of regional economies and ecosystems that should be approached as such. Federal investments should promote planning and collaboration across jurisdictional boundaries.”

  6. “Given the forces reshaping smaller communities, it is particularly important that … development programs be coordinated with broader regional initiatives. Programs in neighboring zones and within larger regions – some of which connect rural communities to metropolitan regions – should complement each other.”

  7. “Federal programs should reflect better the nation’s ec0nomic and social diversity, both in rural and metropolitan areas. To the extent possible, programs should allow for communities to identify distinct needs and address them in appropriate, strategic ways….” *White House “Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies” August 11, 2009

  8. REGIONAL IS HERE Whether we like it or not

  9. Current State At all levels: (Federal, State, Local) Silo Approaches to Funding Lack of Collaboration

  10. Tactical (Reactive) v. Strategic (Proactive)

  11. Regionalism is a Strategic Paradigm

  12. Rural Economic Development Capacity building for resiliency Strategic action Collaboration Regional approaches/regional value-added

  13. The OCRA Approach • Community Liaisons, Project Managers • Reach out to local elected officials, ED officials • Proactive, problem-solving approach to community issues • Trained facilitators • SWOT analysis, strategic planning, organizational development • Aggressive partnership building • Interagency collaboration • Leveraging funds • Continuous improvement

  14. Operational System

  15. CDBG Community Development Block Grants

  16. Stellar Communities • Partners: • Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs • Indiana Housing and Community Development Agency • Indiana Department of Transportation • Indiana Finance Authority • USDA – Rural Development • Focus on rural communities • Three-year commitment to funding • Focus on planning, strategic investment and regional value-added

  17. City of Greencastle • Revitalize courthouse square and central business district • Create pedestrian friendly residential areas • Enhance housing options - second story loft housing in commercial district and new construction in South Court neighborhood • Community health initiatives, including new community health center and new trail linking community to recreational area • Partnership with Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra • Technology hub/Wi-Fi bubble in commercial district

  18. City of North Vernon • Arvin Redevelopment site - 3.5 Acre Brownfield site, clearing the way for private investment • Carnegie Library Restoration • Depot Events Center Renovation • Downtown Streetscapes • Historic Uptown Streetscape improvements near Irish Hill neighborhood • Close Short Street to construct pedestrian-friendly plaza space • Main Street Development - mixed use for both commercial and residential development

  19. Final Thoughts • The best regions are organic • Regional is contextual • Regional is going to happen • Communities need to be prepared • Collaboration • Strategic Action • Identify their own regional value-added • Community conversations

  20. Contact OCRA Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs One North Capitol, Suite 600 Indianapolis, IN 46204 800.824.2476 www.ocra.IN.gov

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