Pictured are Wabash County representatives giving a presentation in Indianapolis. Photo provided.

News Release

WABASH — The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs announced Wabash County as one of two communities that will be a designated Stellar Pathways community.

“The Stellar Pathways program is yet another way OCRA and the State of Indiana shows their dedication to rural development,” said Lt. Gov. Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “I am grateful for communities like Dearborn County and Wabash County who are committed to improving quality of life, and they are well deserving of being our two Stellar Pathways designees.”

Wabash County shares this honor with Dearborn County who was also named a Stellar Pathways designee.

As a Stellar Pathways designee, Wabash County will be eligible to receive up to $7 million in funding through non-competitive grant applications from a variety of state departments to launch and execute a variety of quality-of-life projects across Wabash County.

This Stellar designation has been ten months in the making. Starting March 2024, leaders from all the incorporated communities in Wabash County — La Fontaine, Lagro, North Manchester, Roann and Wabash — as well as representatives from Wabash County at-large, worked together to submit a proposal to OCRA for its Stellar Pathways program.

Many of the fourteen projects identified and included in the final Stellar Pathways Strategic Investment Plan were inspired by the key priorities outlined in the Imagine One 85 countywide strategic plan. Additional insights were gathered with the help of Taylor Siefker Williams Design Group who conducted various online surveys and in-person listening sessions with community members and stakeholders to ensure the Stellar proposal had Wabash County’s best interests at heart.

The projects proposed by Wabash County during its presentation to OCRA include:

• Stormwater improvements in La Fontaine.
• Construction of the Roann Park.
• La Fontaine park enhancements
• Sidewalk improvements for Lagro and SR-114 in North Manchester.
• Wabash Riverwalk trail extensions.
• Manchester Mile safety enhancements.
• Construction of the Daniel’s Place headquarters.
• Renovations to the Living Well Senior Center.
• Funding for Advantage Housing program.
• Countywide infill owner-occupied program.
• Lagro Food Co-Op.
• Impact Pantries in local schools.
• Funding for expanded services for 85 Hope Medical Clinic.

Ultimately, this plan aimed to improve the quality of life as an approach to stabilizing the population and make the county a welcoming place for all — regardless of demographics, socioeconomic status or abilities.

“This Stellar designation is a testament to the power of collaboration across Wabash County,” said Tenille Zartman, President and CEO of Grow Wabash County. “Our communities came together with a shared vision to create meaningful and transformative projects that will elevate the quality of life for all of our residents. We are excited to see these projects come to life over the next five years and to continue working with OCRA and our state partners to make Wabash County a place where everyone can thrive.”

Looking forward, more details will be released in 2025 with some projects set to kick off next year, while others will span the five-year duration of the program. For a full version of the Stellar Strategic Investment Plan, visit the website.

Click here to read OCRA’s news release announcing the two designated Stellar Pathways communities.