CHURUBUSCO -- In Churubusco, Indiana, everything is within walking distance. The funeral home is just down the street from the bank and only a few minutes from the local antique store.
The town, with a population of about 1,800 people, is one of three state finalists for the Stellar Communities Designation Program. If chosen as the winner, the city will receive $6 million for planned community renovations.
"I really think we're on the verge of making something great," said Madalyn Sade-Bartl, Churubusco clerk-treasurer.
Sade-Bartl is also the project manager of Churubusco's Stellar Designation Program and was one of the people who spear-headed the application process, which included detailed renovation plans.
The program consists of 10 state agencies but was originated by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs and Indiana Department of Transportation. Each of these three departments gives $2 million to the winning city.

​Crawfordsville - The mayor of Crawfordsville says the centerpiece project of the city's Stellar Communities designation has cleared a key hurdle. Todd Barton says the city has closed on a 24,000 square-foot building which will serve as the home of Fusion 54. The facility will promote collaboration and synergy among city and county agencies who will relocate there and will include 6,000 square-feet of coworking space, as well as the Wabash College Center for Innovation, Business and Entrepreneurship.