Application Process

Step 1

The Letter of Intent

"One of the challenges was we had to stop and think about what Stellar wanted. I think we had the opinion we were going after a chunk of money. I think as we went through it the second time we found out the process was all about the process, not the money. I think maybe we were slow learners, or maybe we just weren’t listening. I think Stellar was doing what they were supposed to be doing, but we just weren’t focused in on what we were supposed to be doing."

"When we got done with the first one, I was disappointed, upset, angry, a little about everything. We sat down as a group and said is this worth it? We went through all of this and thought we had it down pat...Thought we had a great application and we didn’t win. This is the thing that makes Stellar good…it really makes you think about who you are and what you are doing and where you want to go and how you're going to get there. One thing that was different between the first and the second one was on the second one we made a movie of what we needed to do; we interviewed people for this 17-minute movie. It really does make you look at it. I think we were going at it from the wrong way. We were going at it trying to get this money and then the second time it was "Hey we are going to do this with or without Stellar."

"From a bird’s eye view, I think they had a lot going on before, and I think Stellar actually provided that collaboration and that direction for them. I think that you had a lot of really strong community leaders, and everybody really wanted to go forward, but I think Stellar made them step back and strategically look at their projects and where they wanted to go as a community."

Wabash made two attempts for the Stellar designation. Wabash was a finalist in 2013 but failed to advance in for the highly-competitive grants. The city applied again in 2014 and was successful in attaining ISCP Designation.

Wabash’s Initial Attempt at ISCP Designation – Lack of understanding of requirements and the program

Wabash’s first attempt occurred in 2013. On its first try, Wabash was selected by the state agency partners as one of the 2013 Stellar Finalist. As a finalist, Wabash was awarded a $10,000 planning grant to assist in preparing a detailed Strategic 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. (See 2013 Strategic Investment Plan below).

At that time, the city's proposal and scope were seen as lacking focus and understanding of program by the state agency partners. Due to these concerns and a few other issues with the city's proposal, the state team failed to award the city with the ISCP designation that round.

Wabash’s Final Attempt - A refined vision and focus

The following year, Wabash's Stellar Team decided to clarify and refine their application and reapply based on comments and recommendations received from the State Agency Partners and its reflection.

First, the team decided to better define and refocused its plans for improvements. Based on feedback from state agency partners, the Wabash Stellar Team decided to gain a better understanding of the program and its requirements. In doing so, the team and community stakeholders were better able to communicate to other community partners about the program and obtain feedback.

Second, the team, based on its observations, decided that it needed to do a better job focusing on the process and not necessarily the funding. To this effort, the Wabash Stellar team decided that despite receiving designation they were going to progress forward with implementation. By changing their way of thinking about the community and program, stakeholders were able to shift their planning and application strategies. This change led the team to build upon the input from their planning processes and residents and business owners interviews. These conversations were captured on video.

In March 2014, Mayor Robert Vanlandingham received notification from Lt. Governor Sue Ellsperman’s office announcing Wabash as a finalist. The other community finalists included Decatur, Huntingburg, Marion, Mount Vernon, and the Town of Nashville. As finalists, Wabash was awarded a second 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. (See 2014 Strategic Investment Plan below).

Step 2

The Strategic Investment Plans (2013 and 2014)

"The first year they had recently completed their economic development plan; a comp plan type process, so they had identified a bunch of projects throughout that process. For each area of the community, they had a list of projects for the downtown; they had a list of projects for the south side, the north side. This Stellar process really builds from that because they had already identified projects. This was the next step to focus really on the downtown and pull together all of the efforts that were already done by a lot of people."

"We put our emphasis on the downtown. I feel that is the core. If you have someone who wants to bring business to your city, one of the first things they look at is the downtown. If it's vibrant, and progressing, it is a reflection of the hard work and the pride the people of a community have and that is a great asset to prospective residents and businesses.”

2013 Strategic Investment Plan

The Wabash Stellar Team and community partners spent the next six weeks fine-tuning their proposal as they prepare for a formal presentation to the State Agency Partners. Wabash’s Stellar target area consisted of its downtown area, East Market Street District, and surrounding residential neighborhoods. Wabash stakeholders established several community development initiatives as part of its 2013 Stellar Strategic Community Investment Plan. Their goal is to improve the quality of place, highlighting needed improvements in housing, downtown living, and business corridors, and connectivity.

However, despite its efforts, the city did not receive ISCP designation for the 2013 program round. The Mayor and Stellar Team decided to apply again for the 2014 application round.

2014 Strategic Investment Plan

A team of city leaders spent the next six weeks refining their proposal as they prepared for the presentation and site visit with the State Agency Partners. Wabash’s Stellar target area entails its downtown area and surrounding East Market Street District and along the Market Street corridor residential neighborhoods. Wabash stakeholders established several key improvement initiatives as part of its Stellar Strategic Community Investment Plan. Wabash’s proposal concentrates on plans to connect destinations by enhancing streetscapes and connectivity, making gateway corridor improvements, and extending pedestrian and bicycle connectivity. Wabash also hopes to invest in neighborhoods through neighborhood residential improvements and improved downtown housing. Finally, the community hopes to expand their capacity for regional activities Wabash’s 2014 Stellar Program is estimated to cost $28.3 million. Of the total estimated investments, approximately $15.6 million (55%) are from local investments (including local city matches, private/corporate sponsorships, tax credits, grants, and bonds). The remaining 45% ($12.6 million) is anticipated to be contributed by state agency partners contributing to a nearly 50/50 match.

Eagles Theatre Community Center Improvements

John Drook Memorial Park Inclusive Playground

Façade Improvement Program – Phase 2

State Road 13/15 Corridor Improvements

Wabash Riverwalk, Charley Creek, and Cultural Trails (ON HOLD)

Neighborhood Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation

Paradise Spring Outdoor Amphitheater – Phase 1 (ON HOLD)

Rock City Lofts

Streetscape and Connectivity Improvements (ON HOLD)

Source: City of Wabash Stellar Communities Proposal, 2014; http://wabashstellar.cityofwabash.com/.

Step 3

The Site Visit

"Both years at our site visit we had another mayor in the region come and speak on behalf of what Wabash means to them. So I think there is a lot of regionalism from the outside. Also, the partners wear multiple hats. They are all really well informed with what’s going on. Collaboration is easy when they are all involved."

Once Wabash completed its updated Strategic Community Investment Plan, the state selection team came out for a site visit in spring of that same year. The site visit consisted of various components put together by Wabash's Stellar Planning Team.

Wabash Site Visit Itinerary:

Introductions of city partners and stakeholders. The Wabash 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 Wabash Stellar Team developed a video titled, "Wabash County is a "Stellar Community"! Find out why here...."

Source: Economic Development Group of Wabash County, 2014.. Available online athttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzLaGgLi0M8.

Tours of projects sites and areas of impact. The Wabash 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. Each state representative was given a brochure to help guide them through the project sites.

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

Step 4

The Announcement

Source: Wabashstellar.cityowabash.com; Sagamore Institute, 2014.

On August 14, 2014, out of 14 applicants and six finalists, Wabash along with Huntingburg Indiana, was named one of two “Stellar Communities” by Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann. The City of Wabash held a Stellarbration to celebrate its designation as a Stellar Community.

“The purpose and the goal [of this program] is to assist the smaller communities in accomplishing their goals and visions. A lot of small communities have ideas and things they want to do. It's difficult to get there. Stellar helps us focus in on the process and give the financial help to reach those goals.”

- Wabash Mayor Robert E. Vanlandingham

Source: Sagamore Institute - Interviews - June 2015.