Six years ago Indiana began a Stellar Communities program for the purpose of encouraging the cities and towns across the state to plan improvements and provide money to make those improvements possible.
Mayor Brian Wyndham is exploring how to win Stellar Communities designation for Brazil.

GREENSBURG — The Greensburg-Decatur County Chamber of Commerce are working on the marketing and branding of Greensburg, which has taken a step forward with the tagline: “There’s so much to discover here.”
Life in Greensburg (lifeingreensburg.com) was presented at Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, the title sponsor of the marketing campaign. The interactive county guide is easily accessible via desktop and mobile devices, giving interested Greensburg-goers a look at categories such as quality of life, economic growth, places to eat, things to do, local shopping, and where to stay.
“We got an overwhelming positive response from those who attended,” Greensburg-Decatur County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jeff Emsweller said.

The city’s Utilities Service Board on Wednesday voted to give $100,000 toward the city’s application a state Stellar Communities grant.
Mayor Joe Yochum asked board members to give $25,000 per year for the next four years, money that will go toward the $200,000 the city needs to raise in private match dollars should its effort to be named a Stellar community be successful.

CULVER, Ind. - A small Michiana town is hoping to score big this year by earning the coveted ‘Stellar Community’ designation. Culver’s Town Manager walks ABC 57 through their plan.
Culver is a finalist for the second year in a row, so they’re revamping their efforts as the due date approaches.
“I don’t think there’s another town in Indiana like Culver,” said Culver Town Manager, Jonathan Leist.
This ‘small town with surprising sophistication’ is hoping to add ‘stellar’ to that motto come November.
“It’s basically a program designed to reward communities that are dedicated towards best practices as far as growing your community, growing your population, growing your assessed value, and improving income. It’s not a grant program, but there are dollars attached to being a Stellar designee,” said Leist.
That’s because for the next four years, their town in essence would get a fast pass for grants, which usually add up to $6 to $12 million.
Last year, Culver was a finalist but didn’t win.

UNION CITY, Ind. — Union City Indiana City Planner Monte Poling said the city is a very strong contender towards the Stellar Communities Designation.

​In 2016 the city of Corydon, the county seat of Harrison County, was awarded a Stellar Communities designation, which prompted $30 million in public and private investments, including downtown enhancements, housing rehabilitation, renovation of historic buildings and outdoor projects. The Stellar Communities program recognizes smaller communities in Indiana with a strong focus on community projects and economic development. Harrison County Economic Development Corp. overhauled its small-business loan program in late 2015 and has since made nine loans totaling $435,000. HCEDC finalized the purchase of 50 acres at Lanesville Interchange, which will be the newest addition to the Lanesville Business Park.

Mayor Todd Barton announced that the city has met with state representatives as part of their commitment to the Indiana Stellar Communities Program. Quarterly progress meetings with representatives from the program’s partners are required and include OCRA (Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs), IHCDA (Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority), and INDOT (Indiana Department of Transportation) are designed to provide a status report on the progress of a community Stellar projects. ​