Childcare as Community Infrastructure
One of the things I enjoy most about my job and getting to write this column is the opportunity to share updates about the work happening behind the scenes to move LaGrange County forward. Much of that work starts with listening to residents, understanding what people love about our community and where they see opportunities for improvement. Across both the 2022 Comprehensive Plan process and the 2024 LaGrange County Strategic Investment Plan, one topic consistently rose to the top of those conversations: childcare. During the Strategic Investment Plan process, the county conducted a large [...]
Building a United Future
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, [...]
Whitley, LaGrange counties lead region in economic growth
Federal economic data show something special has been happening in Whitley and LaGrange counties. The two northeast Indiana counties led the region in gross domestic product growth for the five-year period ended in 2024, according to data released this month by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. GDP is the total value of all goods and services produced in an area. Whitley County’s real GDP increased by 23% from 2020 to 2024. Real GDP removes the effects of inflation, creating a more accurate comparison. LaGrange County’s real GDP increased by 21% during that time. [...]
Innovative Company Provides Custom Machine Safety
Innovation began nine years ago within the walls of PowerSafe Automation, a safety company providing customized machine safety and automation solutions across the country. PowerSafe Automation was founded in 2016 by Shawn and Tracy Mantel. With over 30 years of experience in the T-slot aluminum extrusion safety industry, Shawn recognized a need in the market not only for safety products but also for installation services. What started as small projects in their living room quickly grew, leading to the purchase of a building in Wolcottville in the fall of 2016, where the business is still located today. [...]
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 [...]
State of LaGrange County
A lot has been happening in LaGrange County over the past few years, and if you haven’t been keeping up, you might be surprised at just how much progress is in motion. It all started with a big step in 2022 when the county adopted its Comprehensive Plan, laying out a long-term vision for growth, infrastructure, and community development. Since then, that momentum has only picked up speed. In 2024, LaGrange County spent the year pursuing a Stellar Pathways designation—an effort that not only brought the community together but also secured a $50,000 grant [...]
Growing Together: A Column from LaGrange County EDC
In September 2024, the LaGrange County Economic Development Corporation (LCEDC) was appointed by the LaGrange County Commissioners and County Council to oversee the implementation of LaGrange County Together, the county’s comprehensive plan. Developed with extensive community input, the finalized plan includes 75 recommendations across five key areas: Land Use and Development, Local Economy, Natural Environment, Roadways and Infrastructure, and Quality of Life. To support these efforts, LCEDC created a new position dedicated to community development, allowing me, Emilee Buller, to focus on overseeing both the County’s Comprehensive Plan and Strategic Investment Plan. As part [...]
County Council Hears Stellar Pathways Update
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 [...]
Connect LaGrange County Stellar Pathways Journey Continues
LaGrange County, Indiana – At the start of 2024, the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) unveiled a revamped version of their Stellar Communities Program, now called Stellar Pathways. This was the moment Sherri Johnston, President of the LaGrange County Economic Development Corporation (LCEDC), and Emilee Buller, Vice President of Community Development and Engagement, had been waiting for. After hearing time and time again from granting agencies that LaGrange County had not previously been funded and that interest in our area was growing, they knew it was time to act. Together, they launched Connect LaGrange County, [...]
‘LaGrange Pie Party’ rescheduled
Main Street LaGrange will now host it’s “LaGrange Pie Party” on Saturday, Nov. 11, starting at 1 p.m. in downtown LaGrange. The event, originally scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 16, has been postponed to the November date. This rescheduling comes after learning of other LaGrange County Nonprofits’ fundraiser taking place the same weekend, organizers said. “To not take away from other LaGrange County Nonprofits, we wanted to pick a different date that would allow potential attendees to not have to choose between the different causes,” said board Secretary Emilee Fincher, “We want everyone to be able to support nonprofits throughout [...]
