Wabash County’s bold and comprehensive plan, titled Imagine One 85, has set the conditions for progress, and now, the County’s efforts have received a significant boost. The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) recently announced Wabash County as one of two communities designated as a Stellar Pathways community, highlighting its commitment to improving quality of life and addressing population decline through strategic planning and collaboration.
Adopted in July 2022, Imagine One 85, led by Planning NEXT with support from team members Ninigret Partners, One Lucky Guitar, Burgess & Niple, and Policy Analytics, emerged from a community-driven process, including the communities of Wabash, North Manchester, Lagro, Roann, and LaFontaine. This visionary plan aimed to reverse the projected population decline by tapping into regional growth opportunities and addressing key areas such as housing, land use, education, and public health. Guided by the input of community members, Imagine One 85 became a roadmap for aligning public, private, and non-profit efforts to foster a vibrant, sustainable future.
Building on the momentum of Imagine One 85, Wabash County’s Stellar Pathways designation will provide up to $7 million in funding through non-competitive grants. This funding will support various quality-of-life projects inspired by the Imagine One 85 plan, such as stormwater improvements, park enhancements, trail extensions, and expanded medical services. These initiatives aim to stabilize the population and make Wabash County a welcoming place for all residents. These resources—and confidence Wabash County has created—are in addition to the $12 Million awarded to the community in 2024 by the Lilly Endowment.
As these projects come to life over the next five years, Wabash County is set to become a model of rural revitalization, demonstrating the impact of strategic, community-focused planning.
