A “Stellar” 2024 celebrated by Wabash County community

The heart of the morning’s revelry was Wabash County receiving a Stellar Pathways designation a couple of months ago.

As a Stellar Pathways designee, Wabash County will be eligible to receive up to $7 million in funding through non-competitive grant applications from a variety of state departments to launch and execute a variety of quality-of-life projects across the community.

The Stellar designation had been almost a year in the making, according to Tenille Zartman, president and CEO of Grow Wabash County. Beginning in of March 2024, leaders from all the incorporated communities in Wabash, and representatives from Wabash County at-large, worked together to submit a proposal to Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) for the program.

“The Stellar Pathways program is yet another way OCRA and the State of Indiana shows their dedication to rural development,” said Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “I am grateful for communities like Wabash County who are committed to improving quality of life, and they are well deserving of being our Stellar Pathways designee.”

Many of the projects identified and included in the final Stellar Pathways Strategic Investment Plan were inspired by the key priorities outlined in the Imagine One 85 countywide strategic plan.

“We work hard, through the planning processes and engagement, in order to maximize the amount of outside money we can bring into Wabash County to move our community forward,” said Alex Downard, Imagine One 85 director. “Imagine One 85 set the tone for a better future for our community. Funding opportunities like this speed up our progress of creating a place where young people are proud to be from and excited to move back to.”

Among the projects proposed by Wabash County during its presentation to OCRA included: Stormwater management improvements in La Fontaine; construction of the Roann Park; La Fontaine park enhancements; sidewalk improvements for Lagro; Wabash Riverwalk Trail extensions; Manchester Mile safety enhancements; Construction of the Daniel’s Place headquarters in North Manchester; funding for the Living Well Senior Center; funding for Advantage Housing program; Lagro Food Co-Op; Impact food pantries in local schools; and funding for expanded services for 85 Hope Medical Clinic in Wabash.

“The State of Our Communities event is a celebration of incredible leaders and strong partnerships that continually work to make our county an exceptional place to live,” said Zartman. “This year, following our Stellar Pathways designation a few weeks ago, we’re thrilled to highlight representatives from each of our communities as they share exciting projects made possible through this transformative state grant program. These projects will shape a brighter future for our county and show just how much we can accomplish when we work together with a shared vision for what’s ahead.”