Emilee Buller of the LaGrange County Economic Development Corporation updated county council members Monday on the group’s Stellar Pathways progress.
LaGrange County is in the running for $7.2 million through the program. A strategic plan was due Nov. 1. In addition, a team of 21 people traveled last Tuesday to Indianapolis to present that plan.
“We will be able to find out in January if La- Grange County will be a recipient of those funds,” Buller said.
She then shared the matching funds the group has been able to amass, if LaGrange County is chosen. They are as follows:
LaGrange County: $717,000
Town of LaGrange: $965,000
Town of Topeka: $1.2 million
Town of Shipshewana: $250,000
LaGrange County Community Foundation: $120,000
Crossroads United Way: $200,000
E&S Sales, Farmers State Bank, Linder’s Tavern on Main, Parkview LaGrange Hospital: $30,000
“That means that the total investment into our county over that four-year implementation period is almost $11 million,” Buller said. “That’s a really big deal.”
Buller then shared a video that was created as part of the team’s presentation.
A community connections survey brought in more than 1,000 responses, Buller said. The team hosted a total of 17 engagement events. In the coming weeks, the video and plan will be shared on the EDC’s website.
Council members also heard an update on the LaGrange County Community Foundation. Executive director Octavia Yoder shared that LCCF was founded in 1991 to connect philanthropy with the needs of LaGrange County. LCCF now manages more than 150 funds and its assets have grown to about $27.2 million.
Some examples of funds are the LaGrange County Endowment Fund, Children’s Hope Fund, Stroh Community Fund, and Howe Legacy Fund, to name a few.
In 2023, LCCF distributed more than $1 million and is on track to do the same this year, Yoder said.
Some key initiatives are grant-making programs, youth philanthropy, the Heart of Gold Award, fiscal sponsorship, and scholarship programs.
In 2025, LCCF is looking forward to working on a Master Trails Plan, early childhood education, and the Hawpatch Trail.
In other news Monday, council members approved an additional appropriation of $1.36 million for road projects. The figure is in addition to the original $5.5 million approved.
They also approved an additional appropriation in the amount of $385,000 for public safety camera systems. The LaGrange County Public Library will use an additional $132,000 for its addition to its Shipshewana branch. This is in addition to the $622,000 already set aside for the project from the library’s rainy day fund. LaGrange County Parks Department also has received nearly $30,000 in sponsorships for its Trail of Lights, officials said.
Being it was his last meeting, council member Steve McKowen also was thanked for his years of service.
Read LaGrange Standard-News article: County council hears Stellar Pathways update – LaGrange Standard and News
