On today's show I sat down with Alex Downard, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Wabash County.
Alex shares how Wabash County is tackling population decline through quality-of-life investments, housing, and education. He also discusses Wabash's innovation history as the first electrically lit city and Mark Honeywell's roots, including the Honeywell Center's role in drawing visitors.
He explains the countywide Imagine 1805 plan and projects like the Lagro river trail, the $7,000 "Lagro in Lights" sign, and the Wabash County Fellowship Program that housed interns in RVs on the Wabash River and later in renovated housing, with 40% of the first cohort continuing locally.
Our conversation closes with covering the Imagine Early child savings/early-award scholarship program, childcare collaboration, a nonprofit housing development corporation addressing 1,100 vacant units, and Visit Wabash County's tourism strategy.
If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast.
You are going to learn about:
- Wabash County's Effort to Stop Its Population Decline
- The Imagine 1805 Plan and Interns in RVs Fellowship Program
- Tourism Strategies
Thank you to our partners:
Jameson Camp
Elements Financial
Check out these great clips from the show:
01:24 Guest Introduction: Alex Downard, Community Foundation of Wabash County
04:20 Wabash Innovation History
05:57 Honeywell Legacy Today
08:42 Why Alex Stayed Rural
12:49 Imagine 1805 Challenges
16:06 Early Wins LaGro in Lights
19:24 Fellowship Program RV Interns
23:48 Community Alignment Playbook
25:11 What Community Foundations Do
27:14 Fellowship Results and Growth
32:34 Imagine Early Scholarships
40:25 Early Childhood Strategy
40:48 First Five Alliance
41:59 Housing Chicken or Egg
42:45 Development Corporation Launch
43:39 Neighborhood Stabilization Wins
46:12 Downtown Redevelopment Vision
48:48 Third Spaces Matter
51:17 Tourism Storytelling Engine
51:59 Values and Local Challenges
55:26 New Shoe Day Partnership
01:00:02 Advice for Rural Leaders
01:05:44 Funding Playbook Example
01:08:44 Patronicity Crowdfunding Ideas
01:12:29 Future Headlines and Indiana Home
01:13:52 Weekend in Wabash Itinerary
01:17:17 Hidden Gems and Small Town Trips
01:19:29 Guest Shoutouts and Wrap Up
