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Step 1
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The Letter of Intent
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"The Stellar Communities Program builds upon a strong foundation of community involvement and lays the groundwork for our future."
The momentum to apply for Stellar Community designation was jumpstarted by Corydon's past and concurrent projects, including the Corydon Comprehensive Plan, the Main Street Downtown Focus Plan, and the Hometown Collaboration Initiative, all of which offered project readiness and many pre-established partnerships. A Stellar Steering Committee was developed, capturing a wide range of age groups, interests, and opinions, and which helped to identify and refine the project initiatives of the previous projects. This group included representatives from all community partners including the development team and local leaders, high school and middle school students, as well as interested residents and business owners. In addition to composing a Letter of Interest for ISCP designation, submitted in mid-March 2016, which since has attracted more developers and private investment to Corydon's redevelopment, the Steering Committee also worked to create a communication plan to ensure continued community engagement. This began with an Open House where residents could hear and ask questions about Stellar designation, and also included outreach in the form of weekly update articles, newspaper inserts, newsletter invites to households to attend town council meetings, a Q&A booth with the town council president at the weekly farmers market, as well on social media and on a new town website. On April 5, 2016 it was announced that Corydon had been selected as one of three finalists for Division 2 Stellar Designation (towns with populations less than 6,000; other finalists included Culver of Marshall County and Union City of Randolph County) out of ten total applicants for the 2016 round. Following this announcement, each finalist was granted $10,000 for planning purposes, which lead to the development of a plan outlining details of proposed projects and their funding. |
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Step 2
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The Strategic Community Investment Plan
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"A place for all generations to grow, live and thrive."
Corydon's Strategic Investment Plan contains plans for the renovation and rehabilitation of historic buildings and housing, the transformation of the old Keller Manufacturing Co. property for mixed-development, as well as the enhancement of the downtown area with improved connectivity and walkability. "Our target area is focused on the core of Corydon, where the birth of Indiana occurred, where previous investment has been made, and where current efforts and investment will continue to be seen" The target area outlined in the plan encompasses the entire Historic Downtown and Arts and Cultural District in Corydon, including major destinations and established neighborhoods. Many of the projects focus on quality of life improvements, as well as increasing Corydon's capacity for new residents and businesses and the retention of those that already call it home. "Corydon strives to become more diverse, truly encapsulating community as a place for all ages, races, ethnicities, and those in different stages in life." The target population includes youth, young adults, seniors, those involved with downtown businesses, workforce professionals and entrepreneurs, as well as tourists and other visitors.
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Step 3
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The Site Visit
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Following submission of the Strategic Investment Plan, representatives of the eleven affiliated agencies visited Corydon on July 14, 2016, to provide feedback and to discuss the details about proposed projects, including their feasibility and funding, partner participation, and projected timelines.
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Step 4
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The Announcement
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2016 Stellar Designees were announced on August 11, 2016, at the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis by the Indiana Lieutenant Governor, Eric Holcomb. Corydon then hosted a "Stellarbration" on October 7, 2016, at the Corydon Farmer's Market with local community members as well as members of the state Stellar team.
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