The start of a new year always brings a sense of reflection and renewal. It feels especially fitting to use this moment to reconnect with the community around something that truly belongs to all of us: LaGrange County Together, our county’s comprehensive plan.
Over the past several months, I’ve been away on maternity leave, and in that time, there hasn’t been a column updating the public on comprehensive plan progress. Rather than trying to “play catch up” on everything that’s happened month by month, I want to take this opportunity to step back and focus on the bigger picture, what we have accomplished together because of this plan, and how it continues to guide our work.
LaGrange County Together was never meant to be a document that sits on a shelf. It was built with public input, shaped by community values, and designed to serve as a roadmap for decision-making across the county. Since its adoption, it has become exactly that: a shared reference point that helps departments, organizations, and leaders move in the same direction.
One of the most meaningful outcomes of the comprehensive plan has been the way it has encouraged collaboration. County departments that historically worked independently are now coming together around shared goals. Conversations are happening earlier, projects are being aligned more intentionally, and long-term impacts are being considered alongside immediate needs. This is the purpose of my role as the comprehensive plan director.
A great example of this is work currently underway on a county drainage plan, an action item outlined in the comprehensive plan under Land Use goal LU2. Since last summer, regular meetings have been taking place with the Surveyor’s Office, Zoning, the Highway Department, a county commissioner, and my office facilitating those conversations. While I’ll be the first to admit that drainage planning is not my area of expertise, what has been clear throughout this process is the value of having the right people at the table.
Cory Stewart from the Surveyor’s Office has put an incredible amount of time and effort into helping shape this new plan, and the collaborative nature of the process has allowed technical expertise and practical considerations to come together. The goal is to continue to build on the framework that helps guide future decisions, improve coordination, and reduce challenges before they become costly problems. We are hopeful that this plan can be adopted later this summer, and more details will be shared as that work continues.
This is just one example, but it reflects a broader shift that LaGrange County Together has helped foster. The plan gives us a common language and a shared vision. It helps ensure that when we talk about growth, infrastructure, housing, land use, or quality of life, we are working toward outcomes that the community itself helped define.
Progress doesn’t always come in the form of ribbon cuttings or big announcements. Often, it shows up in meeting rooms, working groups, and long conversations about how to do things better. Those quieter moments of coordination and planning are just as important, and they are happening every day because of the foundation this plan provides.
As we move through 2026, this column will continue to highlight how LaGrange County Together is being used, where progress is being made, and what’s coming next. This plan is not static, it evolves as our community evolves, and its success depends on continued engagement and collaboration.
Emilee Buller is the VP of Community Development & Engagement LaGrange County Economic Development Corp. (LCEDC). For the most up-to-date information on all things related to the LCEDC, visit their website at https://www.lagrangecountyedc.com/, or phone the office at 260-499-4994.
Read the article at LaGrange Standard-News.
