The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs.
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Transcript of The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs.
The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs
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.
Federal and State budget reductions◦ Post-stimulus◦ OCRA 17% Federal reduction
Disaster recovery Agency readiness (internal and external)
State Challenges
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.)
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)
“… 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.”
Paradigm Shift
“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.”
“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
The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs
REGIONAL IS HERE
Whether we like it or not
At all levels:(Federal, State, Local)
Silo Approaches to Funding
Lack of Collaboration
Current State
Tactical (Reactive)
v.Strategic(Proactive)
The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs
Regionalism is a Strategic Paradigm
Capacity building for resiliencyStrategic actionCollaborationRegional approaches/regional value-added
Rural Economic Development
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
The OCRA Approach
Operational System
CDBGCommunity Development
Block Grants
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
Stellar Communities
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
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
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
Final Thoughts
Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs
One North Capitol, Suite 600Indianapolis, IN 46204
800.824.2476
www.ocra.IN.gov
Contact OCRA