Wabash County: Strategic Investment Plan

Wabash County is a designated Stellar Pathways community! 

Learn more about this designation in the press release from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs!

Read the OCRA Press Release

The Strategic Investment Plan outlines 14 proposed initiatives to improve quality of life in Wabash County

Wabash County SIP

• Wabash County named Stellar Pathways finalist
• Wabash County is finalist for Stellar Pathways
• Lt. Gov. Crouch, OCRA announce 2024 Stellar Pathways finalists
• Wabash County plans to use Stellar funding to create welcoming community for all
• Wabash County aims to continue ‘Stellar’ reputation with regional win

The Stellar Pathways Program is a multi-agency, multi-million-dollar investment initiative led by the Office of Community and Rural Affairs. The program works with communities within a county boundary on a shared vision for community and economic development, promotes local and regional partnerships, and assists in implementing sustainable solutions to challenges facing Indiana’s rural communities.

In June 2024, four regions were chosen as the 2024 Stellar Pathways Finalists including Dearborn County, LaGrange County, Wabash County, and Warren County. As finalists, each region received $50,000 to put towards the development of a final strategic investment plan – this planning effort!

The Wabash County region includes the County, the City of Wabash, the Town of North Manchester, the Town of La Fontaine, the Town of Lagro, and the Town of Roann.  

About the Project

Indiana’s Stellar Pathways program is requesting a Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) detailing the region’s comprehensive community revitalization strategies over the five-year Stellar Pathways timeline, which is part of the competitive process.

A Strategic Investment Plan is an economic development tool to identify economic, business, and developmental programs and projects that may qualify for targeted funding to accomplish key regional goals.

Major project milestones include:

• July – October – Development of SIP
• November 1 – SIP Due
• December 5 – Presentation to the State
• January 2024 – Announcement of two Stellar Pathways designees

Project Leadership

Because the Imagine One 85 process brought each community to the table, a group of local representatives had already been meeting every month to move projects and programs forward. This same group will guide the development of the SIP.

The leadership group includes:  

• Kristie Bone  - Town of Lagro
• Jeff Dawes – Wabash County
• Alex Downard – Imagine One 85
• Bob Ferguson – Town of Roann
• Patty Grant – Community Foundation
• Tracie Hensley – Town of La Fontaine
• Scott Long – City of Wabash
• Sam McFadden - Community Foundation
• Adam Penrod – Town of North Manchester
• Tenille Zartman - Grow Wabash County
  
   

The development team used the following engagement opportunities and tools to educate, engage, and excite the 31,000 residents of Wabash County.

Mobile Engagement Display 

Our region capitalized on the various community events that were occurring throughout September 2024. The benefit of this engagement method was that the development team could meet people where they were instead of asking people to come to a project-specific meeting.

Online Survey

An online survey was available through most of the SIP planning process. This survey was available in both English and Spanish and received over 300 responses. This survey was promoted via press release, social media campaigns, postcards in local restaurants, and school newsletters.

Public Open House & Community Event

The project team facilitated two public events on October 10, 2024. The first event was in North Manchester from 12:00 – 2:00pm. Nearly 20 people stopped by The Coop on Main Street to review and share ideas related to the proposed project ideas. On the evening of October 10, 2024, the project team attended the Grow Wabash County Annual Dinner at the Honeywell Center in Wabash. There were nearly 300 people at this event to celebrate the businesses and leaders that help grow our communities every day.

Stakeholder Meetings 

Members of the development team facilitate monthly meetings with various stakeholders through Wabash County. These stakeholders included student focus groups, the Hispanic and Amish population, and community programming partners. 

Engagement Summary

Interested in learning more? A variety of resources are linked below:

• Indiana Stellar Pathways Program
• Imagine One 85 - Comprehensive Plan
• Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)
• Public Open House Boards
• Public Engagement Flyer