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Greene County: Greene County, Indiana, a rural community Southwest of Indianapolis, began the Winning Communities vision and action planning process in the summer of 2004. At this time, countywide leaders knew that the community was regressing and they wanted to bring the county together and focused on an action plan. So, with the assistance of Winning Communities, Greene County held a series of community meetings and created a new vision and action plan. Following the completion of the plan, Greene County applied for an implementation grant for a new Leadership Academy through the 4Communities program (with the help of Winning Communities and in partnership with the Indiana Association of United Ways), and was able to raise $56,000 for the program. The new Leadership Academy expands Greene County's leadership capacity, allowing the community to hold leadership summits and meet regularly to address the community's shared vision. Another one of Greene County's objectives was to enhance and promote tourism opportunities in the area. They have since hired a full-time employee through the Greene County Economic Development Council to lead the tourism effort and promote the various resources available in the area, such as the Goose Pond Marsh and the many hunting and fishing havens of Greene County. (back to top)

Clay County: Clay County, Indiana is a community in Southwest Indiana that underwent a vision and action planning process during the fall and winter of 2004-05. With the help of Winning Communities, Clay County completed a new vision and action plan for the community's future. Community meetings and surveys uncovered that in order for Clay County citizens to address the issues of tomorrow, they needed a practical understanding of how the community operates, along with how government, human services and other agencies can work together. Their proposed solution is a program called Community 101, a community educational program. Through a series of community seminars, slated to take place this fall, this community outreach program will help educate citizens about the community and how it works, and will encourage cooperation and community improvement. Clay County plans to utilize marketing brochures and public awareness campaigns to reach a targeted initial enrollment of 100 participants. Clay County has also formed a Clay County Plan Commission that will develop the comprehensive master plan, which will support planning and zoning ordinances as seen in other progressive communities in the state. (back to top)

Huntington County: Huntington County, Indiana, which is situated in Northeast Indiana, took part in the Winning Communities process in 2004. Twenty-three organizations in the county took part in and sponsored the vision and action planning process. As a result of the vision and action plan created for the community, Huntington County submitted and received a $150,000 implementation grant for a new Technology and Entrepreneurial program in Huntington County. This program was put in place to allow the citizens of Huntington County to have greater access to information using technology, and to encourage entrepreneurship in the area. Three major community groups -- the community foundation, the United Way and the economic development council -- have each taken responsibility for organizing five follow-up committees, which meet monthly to address the measurable objectives outlined in the action plan. The communication and technology committee is working closely with county and city government, investigating issues such as disaster preparedness, implementing a countywide severe weather warning system and adding additional Internet accessibility throughout the area. The arts and recreation committee is investigating a river greenway project, with hopes to tie in a site of a local historical museum. Because of its continued efforts to move forward with the objectives set forth in the vision and action plan, Huntington County was awarded the designation of a Certified Winning Community in 2005. (back to top)

City of Charlestown: The city of Charlestown, Indiana, located in Southeast Clark County, Indiana, approached Winning Communities in early 2005 to facilitate a vision and action planning process. The community met regularly throughout the year to establish its goals and objectives for the future, and it completed its new vision and action plan in the fall of 2005. The city of Charlestown is currently working toward certification and is making progress toward its objectives in the areas of economic development, community development, education, recreation and social services. (back to top)

Pulaski County: Pulaski County, located in Northern Indiana, began the Winning Communities planning process in the fall of 2005, and was very anxious to get started on planning the community's future. After several community-wide meetings and planning sessions, the community's vision and action plan was completed in December of 2005. The opportunities in Pulaski County lie in its existing assets of natural beauty, rivers, wild life and proximity to major metropolitan markets. One of the major components of the Pulaski County vision and action plan was to develop a countywide tourism effort, to promote the many opportunities for recreational and tourism activities for visitors and residents. Pulaski County has since collected $14,000 in funds from more than a dozen community partners for its county tourism development efforts, and has received its first matching grant disbursement of $14,000 from the Lilly Endowment Fund, through the Indiana Association of United Ways.  Community leaders met in June of 2006 to discuss the job duties for the new tourism director, responsible for coordinating the county's new tourism plan. Pulaski County also plans to assemble its tourism task force and hire a marketing firm to assist with these efforts. We can't wait to see the spike in tourism and activity in Pulaski County as a result of the efforts of these community leaders! (back to top)

Blackford County: Blackford County, Indiana, located in Northeastern Indiana, initiated its vision and action planning process with Winning Communities in the fall of 2005, and completed its vision and action plan in December of 2005. The county's follow-up task force is aggressively working to complete several goals within the plan. The community has already raised more than $50,000 toward several projects, and has also received a matching grant from the United Way that would help pay for the programs. These include a new "One Book, One Community" program, a countywide book club that would encourage all Blackford County citizens to read, gather and discuss one book together; a County Leadership Academy; and a comprehensive image improvement campaign, which will include new community gateway signage, the visual expression that change will take place in the community. Blackford County's Pride and Beautification Committee has also been mailing letters to property owners that need to make improvements or clean up unsightly properties, and the committee has already received some positive responses. The Blackford County steering committee also decided that it wants to be an ongoing catalyst for improvement in their county, so they have opted to form a more permanent structure as a non-profit corporation, and are working with a local attorney to begin the formation process. With all of the activities taking place in Blackford County , it is encouraging to see a community so dedicated to progress! (back to top)

Rush County: Rush County in East Central Indiana engaged Winning Communities in 2005 to begin its vision and action planning process, and completed its vision and action plan in 2006. In the summer of 2006, Rush County received a one-to-one matching grant from the Indiana Association of United Ways for $50,000, for developing life long wellness programs for its citizens. The county has developed children, family and adult programs for nutrition, fitness and tobacco prevention and cessation, along with several competitions for encouraging life-long fitness. Rush County will use grant funds for incentives, staff, equipment and promotion of the various life long wellness programs. The county also plans to use conference space in the newly renovated Memorial Hospital for conducting some of the community programs. Rush County also plans to establish a new, Life Long Wellness Committee composed of representatives from Rush County Memorial Hospital, the city of Rushville and other leaders. Some of the other measurable objectives the county is considering include developing a new YMCA and programs; developing a community theater and performing arts center, with the potential renovation of the existing Princess Theater; developing community bike trails; and maintaining the county's river, tying it into the park, theater and walking trails so that it can be better utilized for leisure. The possibilities are endless in a community like Rush County that is willing to roll up its sleeves and get to work. (back to top)

Shelby County: Winning Communities began working with Shelby County Indiana, just south of Indianapolis, in the fall of 2005. The community, including 12 community and government organizations, has been meeting regularly to examine existing plans that have been developed for the community. Shelby County's zoning, land use and growth issues will play an important part in the development of this master plan. They have currently raised $75,000 and are waiting to receive a matching grant from the Lilly Endowment Fund, through the Indiana Association of United Ways, to complete several objectives. Shelby County's goals include merging the Shelby County health care clinic and the prenatal care clinic to expand hours, staff, supplies and services; opening a women's shelter called The Sanctuary, installing new fire doors and safety systems to ensure that the facility is to code; and providing marketing, development and project support for the Leadership Shelby County organization. This new leadership organization will soon become a model for other leadership programs in the state as it grows in its expanded role serving the community. (back to top)

Do you want your community to become a Winning Community? If so, please contact us today to find out how to get started. Contact Winning Communities.