The Experiment Bringing 20 College Students to Rural Indiana | Alex Downard, Community Foundation of Wabash County

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

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