By BRAD MEADOWS
Marketing & Communications Director, Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority

Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann announced Tuesday in a video message her encouragement for high school student groups to participate in “My Community, My Vision.” This program engages high school students in planning for the future of their local rural communities.

“This initiative was created to encourage our next generation of civic and government leaders, to help define the future of their communities,” said Ellspermann. “Maintaining strong and viable rural communities is essential to the future of our great state.”

This is the second year for the program. Student leaders from the communities of Hanover, Rushville, Vevay, Washington County and Lawrence County each were selected as part of the pilot program last year where they developed more formal and detailed plans with assistance of graduate students from the Ball State University’s School of Urban Planning and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority.

Applications are due by Sept. 11, 2015.

Click here for more information about My Community My Vision.

The My Community, My Vision program is sponsored by Ellspermann and is being administered by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority with assistance from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs. Social media was used to share information and solicit applications.

Both the Indiana FFA and the Distributive Education Clubs of America assisted as well.  Initial applications required essays outlining ideas for enhancing the development and quality of life in their home communities through their local research and in consultation with local officials and civic leaders.