From the 2019 Community Conversations, residents said they wanted the community to become more united through a shared vision and collaboration to be able to achieve community growth. In cooperation with the Community Development Commission, the steering committee will focus its efforts based on modern community development models that include regional collaborations and investing in amenities that attract people. Studies such as the Wisconsin Study show that jobs follow people: communities grow when they invest in amenities and activities that attract and retain people, and companies locate in communities that attract people.

In a recent news article, Pulaski ranked in the top 5 Indiana counties with declining population; however, the strong local school systems, proximity to other urban centers, the growth of Jasper and Marshall counties and amenities like the Tippecanoe River State Park and the Panhandle Pathway all allow for growth opportunities.

This community action and implementation process will focus on the following:

• Creating a shared vision
• Defining community impact goals
• Utilizing best practices, specialists and proven rural community change examples
• Developing resources and actions to achieve impact goals
• Implementing those actions
• Engagement of the wider community in the process

In addition to knowledge gained from the Community Development Course, the steering committee will be utilizing the DISC personality assessment, ongoing training and successful topic specialists to assist in carrying out this initiative.

The Forward Thinking Leadership Initiative launched in 2020 in response to community input and with support from Lilly Endowment Inc. and the Community Foundation of Pulaski County. Other sponsors to date include the Pulaski County Council, the Francesville, Medaryville, Monterey and Winamac town councils, and several local industries and businesses.

For more information about the work of the Community Foundation, view its website at www.cfopc.org, telephone 574.946.0906 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..