Program Outcomes & Key Findings
In late September 2010, under the direction of the Indiana Lieutenant Governor’s Office, the state launched the Indiana Stellar Communities Designation Program (SCDP). The SCDP is a multi-agency partnership designed to fund comprehensive community development projects in Indiana’s smaller rural communities. The goal of SCDP is to take a broader, more holistic view of community planning and development strategies. Stemming from community improvement ideals rooted in emphasizing collaboration among public agencies and community partners, as opposed to separate, piecemeal, incremental improvements, the SCDP sought to pull state resources together to make wide-ranging quality-of-life impacts.
The cities and towns designated to participate in the SCDP share similarities and differences along a number of dimensions, including community and market conditions, demographics, social and economic circumstances of residents, social capital stock, and organizational capacity. As of August 2016, twelve comprehensive community initiatives in the cities of Greencastle (2011), North Vernon (2011), Delphi (2012), Princeton (2012), Bedford (2013), Richmond (2013), Huntingburg (2014), Wabash (2014), Crawfordsville (2015), North Liberty (2015), Rushville (2016), and Corydon (2016), Indiana were underway.
The analysis here focuses primarily on SCDP-related efforts of the Indiana Housing Community Development Agency (IHCDA), Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA), the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), and convening community partner organizations in Greencastle, Indiana. It is a compilation of data gathered over the past six years. Data was obtained from three primary sources: 1) key informant and social network interviews with civic and community leaders, residents, private stakeholders, consultants, and local government officials, 2) field observations of community-based events, steering committee meetings, and project sites, and 3) archival data , among others.
The research is capturing different perspectives on the SCDP approach including those of project staff, program administrators, residents, community partners, and public officials. This in-depth case study of Greencastle and other Stellar designees is being used to develop a finer understanding of the Stellar Communities Designation Program processes, activities, and outcomes.
The cities and towns designated to participate in the SCDP share similarities and differences along a number of dimensions, including community and market conditions, demographics, social and economic circumstances of residents, social capital stock, and organizational capacity. As of August 2016, twelve comprehensive community initiatives in the cities of Greencastle (2011), North Vernon (2011), Delphi (2012), Princeton (2012), Bedford (2013), Richmond (2013), Huntingburg (2014), Wabash (2014), Crawfordsville (2015), North Liberty (2015), Rushville (2016), and Corydon (2016), Indiana were underway.
The analysis here focuses primarily on SCDP-related efforts of the Indiana Housing Community Development Agency (IHCDA), Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA), the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), and convening community partner organizations in Greencastle, Indiana. It is a compilation of data gathered over the past six years. Data was obtained from three primary sources: 1) key informant and social network interviews with civic and community leaders, residents, private stakeholders, consultants, and local government officials, 2) field observations of community-based events, steering committee meetings, and project sites, and 3) archival data , among others.
The research is capturing different perspectives on the SCDP approach including those of project staff, program administrators, residents, community partners, and public officials. This in-depth case study of Greencastle and other Stellar designees is being used to develop a finer understanding of the Stellar Communities Designation Program processes, activities, and outcomes.
Stellar Communities Case Studies
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FINALISTS
Once the applicants’ letters of interest are submitted and evaluated, the state agencies select finalists who are awarded up to $10,000 each to help develop and/or update proposals that include a Strategic Investment Plan (SIP).
As of 2017, there have been a total of 49* finalists (See list below). To date, the state agency partners distributed approximately $320,000 to finalist communities to develop Strategic Investment Plans as part of the SCDP application process.
*Note: Seven communities applied for multiple rounds.
Finalist Communities
2011 Finalists: Batesville, Bedford, Greencastle, Marion, New Castle, North Vernon, Portland, Princeton, Rochester, Shelbyville, Union City, and Washington.
2012 Finalists: Auburn, Crawfordsville, Delphi, Petersburg, Princeton, Richmond and Whitestown.
2013 Finalists: Angola, Bedford, Frankfort, Petersburg, Richmond, and Wabash.
2014 Finalists: Decatur, Huntingburg, Marion, Mt. Vernon, Nashville, and Wabash.
2015 Finalists: Crawfordsville, Decatur, Dunkirk, Huntingburg, Marion, and North Liberty.
2016 Finalists: Rushville, Shelbyville, Warsaw, Corydon, Culver, and Union City.
2017 Finalists: Churubusco, Culver, Greensburg, Madison, Union City, and Vincennes.
