The Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) is providing a $598,678 grant for two years toward the funding of the Indiana Communities Institute, which will focus on leadership development, community and economic development, and community capacity building. The programs and services will help promote and strengthen Indiana's towns and communities.

"The Governor and I continue to find new ways and partnerships to help Indiana's communities become stronger. The Indiana Communities Institute with Ball State University will do just that," Skillman said.

"Ball State's reputation is renowned for community and economic development through its Building Better Communities initiative," she noted. "Local elected officials and community leaders will benefit from the great resources placed at their fingertips by the new institute and the leadership provided by the university."

The Indiana Communities Institute will be readily accessible to communities throughout the state. Traditional style programming on Ball State's campus will be available, but also single-topic workshops by request will be offered to communities across the state. Online resources also will be accessible to communities.

"Through our Building Better Communities initiative, Ball State has a strong track record of working with local officials and businesses to solve problems, identify community development goals, and achieve those goals," Gora said. "This grant will allow Ball State to broaden our impact with economic development leaders across Indiana."

The state has several joint initiatives with Ball State to help strengthen Indiana communities, including the Hometown Competitiveness (HTC) program with OCRA, a community development planning assistance program, and an annual Indiana Economic Development Course, supported by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC).

FACT SHEET:  Indiana Communities Institute