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

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

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

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

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

Christkindlmarkt rated Top 100 Event in North America by Motorcoach Association

How might we refresh..

reinvigorate…renew…

rebrand…rural

Indiana?

Rural Indiana Refreshed

Agriculture

Entrepreneurship

Economic Development

Visioning

Community Development

Rural Workforce Development

Infrastructure Development

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

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

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

Community Development

Expand Indiana HomeTown Competitiveness and Main Street programs

Expand Stellar Communities

Facilitate Community and Regional Visioning

Promote rural communities and “ruralness”

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

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

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)

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

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.

Let’s

Refresh Rural Indiana

Together