“The Community Foundation is pleased to report that due to the group’s enthusiastic lead, and the broader community’s support of moving these initiatives forward, we have successfully launched work in three of the four priority areas,” noted Foundation executive director Wendy Rose.

Aspirations in Action Steering Committee members: (front, l-r)consultant Amy Beechy, Sara Kroft, JoLynn Behny, Kathi Thompson, Renee Calabrese, Vicki Overmyer, Lisa Malchow, Wendy Rose; and (back) consultant Kim Pinkerton, Kelsie Zellers, MacKenzie Ledley, Diana Day, Nathan Origer, Brandi Larkin, Andrew Fritz, Kurt Dickey, Jacki Frain. Not pictured: Adam Collins, Jill Collins, Elizabeth Price, Brian Young.

High-speed broadband positively impacts commerce, education, public safety, government, and more.

Scott Rudd Consulting, Indiana’s first director of broadband, was secured to guide the six-member Broadband Task Force chaired by Kurt Dickey. The related Broadband Council includes representatives from Indiana Farm Bureau, Indiana Broadband office, local government, businesses, and organizations.

This group led efforts to gather necessary Speed Test data and internet provider letters of support.

Mapping data, strategic planning and broadband readiness are in progress. The lieutenant governor of Indiana, Suzanne Crouch, is expected to attend a May 25 celebration of broadband readiness and progress under this initiative.

Housing development boosts growth when a community builds the housing that the talent it wants to attract and retain can both afford and enjoy the place they choose to live. Housing Resource Hub’s Ryan Chasey will guide the development and implementation of a housing strategy to meet Pulaski County needs. The Housing Task Force, chaired by Nathan Origer, Pulaski County Community Development Commission executive director, includes 14 members from a broad range of community sectors. A webinar was held in January and next steps include conducting a local leadership inventory, online courses and a housing capacity assessment; followed by determination of development priorities and potential projects.

Downtowns are key economic health indicators. Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) representative Gerry White presented a Main Street 101 session March 7, at Eastern Pulaski Elementary School. With adequate interest, Shae Kmicikewycz (former Indiana Main Street director) will guide Winamac through the process of creating a new Main Street organization.

Pulaski County has many natural assets that could be leveraged in the community’s Recreation/Tourism area. Over 30 stakeholders have been identified for potential formation of a Tourism Task Force that could update the tourism portion of the Community Development Commission’s strategic plan. This area of aspiration will be revisited once the other initiatives are well underway.

For more information about the work of the Community Foundation and other related initiatives, 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..