Randolph County
A visit to Randolph County will undoubtedly lead you through the “back roads to the sweet life” just as the Visitors Bureau suggests, but it will also take you smack-dab through the middle of a revival of rural innovation and cooperative gumption inspiring enough to recognize the entire county as a featured OCRA community. Randolph County is comprised of uniquely dynamic towns that share the belief that the individual success of a neighboring community is essential as their own; a sentiment that lends itself to many other areas of intercommunity relations. As shown in the cities of Union City, Winchester, and the Town of Farmland, these communities not only work closely with each other, but have also partnered with OCRA to provide resources and funding for projects designed and led by the communities.
Union City
Union City is a city with community perspective. When deliberating on community decisions, Mayor Conklin and City Manager Monte Poling consider, “Not just what‘s good for the city, but what’s good for the whole community?” One decision included maximizing a limited budget by leveraging expenses, like splitting city energy costs with the schools, and a local emergency call center and fire department merger. This cooperative spirit partially originates from the leadership sharing dynamic between Mayor Conklin and City Manager Poling. The two work closely together to improve city infrastructure, spur economic development, and improve the efficiency of city operations. This sense of sharing in Union City and the rest of Randolph County has proved successful in building economic and community strength. This philosophy may be
most evident in the town’s shared interest in alternative energy as a form of economic development, educational focus, and lifestyle.
Union City is home to several sources of alternative energy, including wind, ethanol, and hybrid fuel cell production, and the Randolph Eastern School Corporation has embraced alternative energy as a learning tool. The school incorporates alternative energy education into all levels of curriculum and uses one wind turbine and one large solar panel to power the school, in addition to providing an educational opportunity for students. The school also boasts the first converted hybrid electric school bus in the nation. They have broken ground to erect two giant wind turbines that will provide energy straight into the Union City grid in the very near future.
Certainly one of the most exciting progressions of the alternative energy movement in Union City is the partnership forged between Ivy Tech East Central and Eastern Randolph School Corporation to develop the first Alternative Energy Technology Program in the country. Eventually this program intends to become available to all Indiana high school students interested in wind, solar, or biofuels technology engineering. With funding from OCRA’s Rural Capacity Grant (RCG) program, this project seeks to connect Union City’s enthusiasm for alternative energy production, an educational desire to prepare students for future careers and environmental realities, and future industry development in the Union City area.
Visit Union City’s website! http://www.myunioncity.com/
Winchester
Randolph County’s seat, Winchester, is a city in which community-lead development efforts present a viable model for retaining and improving the benefits of small town life. Local investors have been the source for many of the recent community projects, including the new Randolph Inn and the Randolph Bar and Grille. With tourism draws like the Winchester Speedway, Mrs. Wick’s Pies, and The Silver-Towne Coin Mint, Winchester needed appropriate lodging for visitors, but needed it on their own terms. Mayor Steven Croyle explains that, “On paper, Winchester’s statistics aren’t always appealing to outside chain and franchise investors due to our small size, and this has really played to our advantage. We look at this as an opportunity for people with local interests in mind to be involved in the development process; investors who are subject to community opinion and have a personal stake in maintaining the originality that makes Winchester such a great place to live and visit”. By recognizing economic and social interdependence, Winchester’s private and public sectors have been able to form relationships that yield positive community outcomes.
Winchester’s newest initiative includes a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for downtown revitalization. It began with a planning grant that acted as an “action” plan with guidance. Since that time, the town has begun a revitalization effort. OCRA’s CDBG funding to Winchester and its strength as an Indiana Main Street community will give the city a strategic advantage for competitive grants and will provide as many tools needed to assist their downtown efforts.
Visit Winchester at their website! http://www.winchesterindiana.us/
Farmland
Beginning community revitalization efforts often prove difficult. So, the town of Farmland began small. “We wanted to do something low controversy, low cost, with a high impact,” said community member Larry Francer. Placing salmon colored geranium planters at every business, may not appear radical, but this small initiative acted as the catalyst for a larger community revitalization effort. Since that time, Farmland’s plan to transform its downtown has succeeded despite challenges. With a strong and passionate support base, Farmland has aggressively tackled obstacles and created innovative projects to address these challenges.
In 2000, Farmland began the town improvement process when they applied for and received CDBG funding for a study of its water and sewer utilities which led to a partly funded CDBG water and sewer utilities improvement project. Since the creation of OCRA in 2005, the community projects have really gained momentum by receiving CDBG funding for a downtown revitalization planning study, the downtown revitalization construction for sidewalks, lights, curbs, gutters and amenities, and its 2009 downtown façade improvement project.
Economic conditions are a focus for every small community, and Farmland is not an exception. However, through creative fundraising efforts like “Fright in Farmland”, the town’s Indiana Main Street organization Historic Farmland Inc. helps raise money for various community projects, from a new furnace in the cultural center to supporting the development of a working farm. Farmland also has learned to market their local economy creatively. During a 2007 INDOT project that completely closed traffic through downtown Farmland for six months, the Indiana Main Street group Historic Farmland Inc. prevented total business loss by approaching OCRA for help in their aggressive marketing “Help Put Farmland Back Together” campaign, through a Downtown Enhancement Grant (DEG). The grant helped pay for advertising and a contest. The town was also persistent in attending INDOT meetings, where they built relationships and became a partner in the process. In addition to the marketing throughout the INDOT project, Farmland has created coupon books from local proprietors and a “Come to Farmland series.” Today, Farmland continues to develop its business sector and play to their strengths in developing agritourism including a corn maze and an eventual working farm.
Visit Farmland at their website! http://www.farmlandindiana.org/
A County of Progress
Although three communities have been highlighted, other communities such as Modoc, Ridgeville, Saratoga Lynn, and Parker City have utilized OCRA as a resource to improve their communities through the Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). From funding water system improvement projects to fire stations, OCRA and Randolph County have continually worked in partnerships. Winchester, Union City and Farmland also all boast very active Indiana Main Street groups. Furthermore, OCRA has funded a Rural Capacity Grant to the Eastern Indiana Regional Workforce Board for the Investor Network, an online resource for entrepreneurs, whose service included Randolph County.
Possibly the most inspiring aspect of Randolph County is their recognition of interdependency and their mindfulness of complimentary projects in contrast with competitive projects, such as the Amish farmer’s market in one community and a traditional farmer’s market in another. By maximizing their strengths, Randolph County has created a healthy community environment through locally motivated economies and strong community support bases. Randolph County’s emphasis on cooperation and diversity is an outstanding asset, and these traits will continue to build upon the already tremendous community success for years to come.
If you would like to learn more about OCRA projects in Randolph County please visit
OCRA by District and CDBG by County
If you would like more information about Randolph County, please visit
www.roamrandolph.org/
www.winchestermainstreet.com
www.randolph-county.org/
