Wabash County, IN
Addressing population loss.
A critical focus of the work was to take advantage of the fact that regionally, the population was growing. This presented an opportunity. The planning process in Wabash County recognized that land use and economic strategies needed to tap into that growth, to collaborate beyond the County’s borders, and to find ways to capitalize on the growth and prosperity of the surrounding region.
Responding to challenges.
This process was a community-driven effort that utilized collaboration between five communities—Wabash County, Wabash City, Lagro, Roann, and LaFontaine—to establish a vision for the people of Wabash County for growth and investment for decades to come. This work was open, inclusive, and informed by the experiences of community members and stakeholders. Over the course of a year, the Imagine One 85 Steering Committee helped lead each of the county’s unique communities through this critical conversation. Through Imagine, close to 1,000 individuals contributed their time and ideas.
Witnessing implementation and momentum.
Since the plan’s adoption, the County has taken major steps toward implementation. The County was recently designated a Stellar Pathways community by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, securing up to $7 million in funding for quality-of-life projects. These investments—alongside $12 million awarded by the Lilly Endowment to Manchester University in the Town of North Manchester—will support stormwater improvements, park enhancements, and trail extensions. As these projects come to life over the next five years, Wabash County is positioned to become a model for rural revitalization.
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Tags
Project Type: comprehensive plan
Community Type: county
Client: Grow Wabash County
Services: comprehensive planning, public engagement, social media and online engagement
