State of LaGrange County Event

An annual State of the County event has been pro­posed to effectively com­municate the progress on the implementation of the LaGrange County Com­prehensive Plan. This gath­ering aims to unite various communities, celebrate ac­complishments, showcase success stories, and provide an update on the overall status of the LaGrange County Together initiative. The event is envisioned to feature a diverse range of activities, including local food vendors, entertain­ment, and opportunities to engage in community cel­ebrations across LaGrange County.

During the recent pre­sentation hour, photo­graphs captured a total of forty-two seated guests. Additionally, around 4 to 5 individuals were observed engaging with represen­tatives at their respective tables. This brings the to­tal estimated attendance to approximately fifty guests during the presentation.

The first hour of the event allowed attendees to explore and converse freely with various town and or­ganization representatives about topics of interest, in­cluding local attractions, community goals, and oth­er relevant initiatives. The main presentation saw an increase in attendance as more participants arrived during this period.

Presenters included Emilee Buller, the La­Grange County Compre­hensive Plan Director and Vice President of Commu­nity Development and En­gagement with LGCEDC, initiated the event with a welcoming address. Fol­lowing her, Sherri John­ston, President and CEO of the LaGrange County Economic Development Corporation, presented up­dates on various initiatives such as:

Broadband Internet: REMC Broadband Internet has successfully reached 100% of its customer base and continues to expand further.

Education: Development of a manufacturing path­way aimed at students.

Leadership Initiatives: Ongoing support for Lead­ership LaGrange Coun­ty and the creation of the Hawpatch Trail, which spans seventeen miles con­necting Millersburg, Tope­ka, and Wolcottville.

Other significant up­dates included: Jim Young, from the LaGrange Coun­ty Council discussed the importance of community oversight. Peter Cook, a commissioner, provided insights on planning, zon­ing, health, and drainage challenges. Robbie Miller, the LaGrange County Zon­ing Administrator, touched on the oversight of devel­opment across the county. Tharon Morgan, the LGC Highway Engineer, em­phasized the importance of community feedback regarding road conditions. Mary Franke, from LGC Parks and Recreation, shared information about activities and community volunteer opportunities.

Local town representa­tives also provided brief updates on their infrastruc­ture projects, including wastewater treatment plant upgrades and plans for community amenities such as pickleball courts.

Food trucks including San Marcos, Mamazonni’s Italian Beef, Ed’s Fish and More, and Party on the Pa­tio, along with a spread of cheeses, crackers, vegeta­bles, fruits, and water, con­tributed to the communal atmosphere and network­ing opportunities.

The towns represent­ed at the event included LaGrange, Shipshewana, Topeka, and Wolcottville, alongside the communities of South Milford and Mon­go. Various organizations such as Main Street La­Grange, LaGrange County Economic Development Corporation, LaGrange County Health and High­way Departments, and Pur­due University also partic­ipated, contributing to the collaborative spirit of the event.

This gathering reflect­ed the vision of LaGrange County as a collective of vibrant communities dedi­cated to enhancing quality of life while celebrating their heritage, supporting local businesses, and pre­serving natural features.

Andrew Ault is a resident of LaGrange who is inter­ested in the continuous im­provement and prosperity of the town and county.

Read LaGrange Standard-News article: State of LaGrange County event – LaGrange Standard and News