Application Process

Step 1

The Letter of Intent

“The first two rounds, I think the team would say it was a learning experience for us. But, the more we applied, the more experienced we became, and the more focused we became. We were very intent on what we wanted to do under the mayor’s leadership and that came to fruition in that third and final round.”

Bedford made three attempts for the Stellar designation. Bedford was a finalist in 2011 but failed to advance in 2012 when 40 communities applied for the highly-competitive grants. However, on its third and final attempt, the city was successful in attaining ISCP Designation.

Bedford’s First Two Attempts at ISCP Designation – A Learning Experience

Bedford’s first two attempts occurred in 2011 and 2012. On its first try, Bedford was chosen as one of the 13 2011 Stellar Finalist. After a few weeks of review by the state selection team, the mayor received a phone call in late February from former Lt. Governor Becky Skillman’s office announcing Bedford as a finalist. As finalists, Bedford was awarded a $10,000 planning grant to assist in preparing an in-depth Strategic Community Investment Plan proposal, and to help in planning the site visit with the state selection team. Each finalist had approximately five to six weeks to develop this plan.

Bedford’s Final Attempt - More experienced and focused

The following year, Bedford Stellar Team knew that there would likely be another round of the Indiana Stellar Communities Program. To better the city’s chances and improve its position, the Bedford Stellar Planning Team decided to take measures to ensure that they were ready with a complete application and letter of intent the third time around.

First, the team decided that it needed to demonstrate it capacity and commitment to transformative investments in Bedford. Since its first two attempts, the Bedford Stellar Team were able to complete a vast majority of the projects outlined in the city’s SIP. For instance, the team successfully accomplished revitalization activities proposed in prior ISCP applications. These include, but are not limited to 1) Harp Commons renewal of park and festival space, 2) courthouse renovations, 3) decorative sidewalk railings,4) storm water improvements, 4) Milwaukee Depot tile roof replacement, 5) the Historic Stalker School adaptive reuse into Stalker School Apartments, 6) a downtown Wi-Fi Bubble creating free internet access for downtown offices, shops, and residents, and 7) the residential housing rehabilitation 30 senior housing units, Stonecutter’s Place.

Second, the team decided that it needed to better identify a target area. To this effort, Bedford Stellar Team honed in on the downtown as a major ISCP target area. This was achieved by working with local stakeholders to develop a "Downtown Revitalization Plan" which was adopted in early 2013.

Bedford competed against twenty-four communities that sought the designation in 2013 (Indiana digest Bob Bridge 2013). In April 2013, Mayor Shawna Girgis received notification from Lt. Governor Sue Ellsperman’s office announcing Bedford as a finalist. The other community finalists included Angola, Frankfort, Petersburg, Richmond, and Wabash. As finalists, Bedford was awarded $10,000 planning grant to assist in preparing an updated Strategic Community Investment Plan proposal, and to help in planning the site visit with the state selection team. Once again, each finalist had approximately five to six weeks to develop this plan.

Step 2

The Strategic Community Investment Plans (2011 and 2013)

“…The first round we were not nearly as focused…We started out with a large area of attention. Not just the downtown; the downtown and maybe two or three miles out. There were several different areas that were not necessarily connected to downtown. It was just too broad... Each year we honed it down a little bit more, but we still had not drilled in.”

2011 Strategic Community Investment Plan

A team of city leaders spent the next six weeks fine-tuning their proposal as they prepare for a formal presentation to the State Agency Partners. Bedford’s Stellar target area was comprised of its downtown area and surrounding residential neighborhoods. Bedford stakeholders established several community development initiatives as part of its Stellar Strategic Community Investment Plan. Bedford’s proposal is focused on workforce training and education, community and economic development; cultivating a vibrant downtown district; and enhancing the city's quality of life and transform the city's hub into a favorite gathering place. According to stakeholders and team members, the process was very fast, requiring a lot of time and effort from each team member. Their goal is to improve the aesthetics of the community while addressing critical needs, but also prepare for future growth via a better-trained workforce.

However, despite its efforts, the city did not receive ISCP designation for the 2011 award round. The representatives from the three state agencies identified two critical factors their decision to decline the city’s application. One of the key factors identified by the state agencies was Bedford’s lack of focus and connectivity. Bedford started with a large area of concentration that included its downtown. The state agencies noted Bedford’s scope was too broad and lacked clear connectivity.

The Mayor and Stellar Team decided to apply again in 2011 for the 2012 round. This time the city failed to advance in 2012 when 40 communities applied for the highly-competitive grants (Indiana Digest, 2013). This outcome was mainly because the city failed to illustrate focus and connectivity of their projects and scope.

2013 Strategic Community Investment Plan

A team of city leaders spent the next six weeks fine-tuning their proposal as they prepare for a formal presentation to the State Agency Partners. Bedford’s Stellar target area was comprised of its downtown area and surrounding residential neighborhoods. Bedford stakeholders established several community development initiatives as part of its Stellar Strategic Community Investment Plan. Bedford’s proposal is focused on workforce training and education, community, and economic development; cultivating a vibrant downtown district, and improving the city's quality of life. Bedford’s 2013 Stellar Program is estimated to cost $19.8 million. Of this, it is anticipated that $9.9 million (or 50%) would come from leveraging resources, accomplishing close to a dollar for dollar leverage.

Stonegate Arts & Education Center

Limestone Trail & Milwaukee Depot Trail Head

Stonecutters Place - Senior Apartments

Downtown Business Development

Gateways, Streetscapes, & Parking

Façade Restoration

Source: City of Bedford Stellar Communities Proposal, 2013.

Step 3

The Site Visit

Once Bedford completed its Strategic Community Investment Plan, the state selection team came out for a site visit in March of that same year. The site visit consisted of various components put together by Bedford’s Stellar planning team.

Bedford Site Visit Itinerary:

Introductions of city partners and stakeholders. The Bedford Stellar Planning Team introduced multiple community stakeholders and volunteers at its site visit to illustrate their ability to foster local, private, and regional partnerships as well as local support for the ISCP initiative.

Visual presentations of the need and potential projects. The Bedford Stellar Planning Team also developed a video showcasing their need, projects, and partnerships titled "We Are Bedford."

Source: By The Glass Productions, 2013. Available online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbT4pcBWC7w.

Tours of projects sites and areas of impact. The Bedford Stellar Planning Team took the state representatives on a tour of the project sites. The tour included designated speakers who highlighted various aspects about the projects.

Question and Answer Session. The visit ended with a question and answer session among the Bedford Stellar Planning Team and the state selection committee representatives. Overall, the site visit lasted approximately three hours.

Step 4

The Announcement

Source: WBIB.com, June 19, 2013; Bedford Facebook page, 2013.

On Monday June 17, 2013, out of 24 applicants and 6 finalists, Bedford along with Richmond, Indiana, was named one of two “Stellar Communities” by Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann. According to state agency partners, several characteristics that made Bedford a strong candidate for designation included the comprehensiveness of the cities SIP, strong partners; downtown focus; and adaptive reuse of old buildings. Two days after notification of its designation, Bedford city offices closed early in order to participate in the “Stellarbration” at the courthouse. Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann and Mayor Shawna Girgis kicked-off the celebration (Lt Governor, 2013).

“Thank you to Lt. Governor Ellspermann and entire the Stellar Team; it is truly an honor to be designated as a Stellar Community. I am excited for the investment opportunities for downtown Bedford and the partnerships that I believe will grow our education and workforce development efforts……I would also like to thank our local community for giving their time and investments towards our proposal.”

- Bedford Mayor Shawna M. Girgis.

Source: Office of Lieutenant Governor – Press Release, June 17, 2013.