State of Our Communities leaves audience, leaders energized for what's next

Wabash County, IN (FEB. 23, 2026) – The theme for Grow Wabash County’s sold out ninth annual State of Our Communities event on Thursday, Feb. 19, centered being energized for the future of Wabash County.

The community speakers featured were Cheryl Ross from the Wabash County Commissioners, Tracie Hensley from the Town of LaFontaine, Andrew King from the Town of Lagro, Adam Penrod from the Town of North Manchester, Bob Ferguson from the Town of Roann, and Mayor Scott Long from the City of Wabash.

Tenille Zartman, president and CEO of Grow Wabash County, emceed the annual event. During her opening remarks, Zartman let the audience in on a not-so-secret secret to Wabash County’s past, present and future successes: energy.  

“This momentum is rooted in our leaders' buy-in of collaboration and planning with a purpose,” Zartman said in her remarks. “There is a passion here and an energy here that is hard to replicate.”

The presentations delivered by community representatives highlighted achievements from the previous year, expressed gratitude to those who contributed to these successes, and outlined upcoming initiatives designed to maintain progress.

Following the presentations, two awards were given out.  

First, Chairman Andy Zay, formerly Indiana District 17 Senator, presented Brian Haupert with the Senator Honorary Award for his dedicated services of 32 years as a Wabash County Commissioner.  

Next, Cynthia Johnson, Executive Director of the Learn More Center, received the inaugural Growth Award for leading the effort to open the Pauline Barker Campus. Zartman shared, “The Growth Award can recognize a person, project, or community that embodies momentum, collaboration, and leadership. It shows what’s possible when we plan with purpose and move forward with unstoppable energy.” The Learn More Center received the award as a project that brought together partners from across the county and overcame real challenges to become a reality. “This project came to life last year with the ribbon cutting that represented far more than bricks and mortar. We opened the doors to a place where county-wide collaboration, lifelong learning, and workforce development come together to support our people and our future,” Zartman said.  

Following the event, the presenters participated in a roundtable Q&A session with the current Leadership Development Wabash County cohort. This encouraged further, deeper conversation between the leaders and participants about what progress and growth may look like for Wabash County in 2026 and beyond.

Grow Wabash County team is thankful to all of the local and regional companies and individuals who showed their support for this annual event by signing on as event sponsors.

Breakfast Title Sponsors: 1019 Belle’s Place of Wabash; Arc of Wabash County; Bowen Health; First Farmers Bank & Trust; Living Essentials; Manchester University; Nuway Construction; Wabash Small Business Champion;

Gold Sponsors: City of Wabash; Community Foundation of Wabash County; Ford Meter Box Company, Inc.; Intertech Products, Inc., Josiah White’s; Parkview Wabash Hospital; Pathfinder; Star Excavating

Silver Sponsors: Beacon Credit Union; BioNutrients Ag LLC; Crossroads Bank; Lake City Bank; MPS Egg Farms; Wabash County Museum

Bronze Sponsors: Aalberts Surface Technologies; Bachelor Creek Church of Christ; The Bippus State Bank; Bulldog Battery Corporation; Duke Energy; G6 Military Grade I.T.; Halderman Real Estate & Farm Management; Huston Electric; Meyer Building; MKM architecture + design; MSD Wabash County; NIPSCO; POET; Town of North Manchester

Copper Sponsors: Content Creative; Pro Resources Staffing Services