The Pulaski County Hometown Collaboration Initiative Team has chosen one of three “building blocks” as part of the ongoing partnership between the state, Purdue and Ball State Universities. The program seeks to help small communities expand their pipeline of local leaders, strengthen and expand jobs by building on existing economic assets and improve attractiveness and quality of life of their hometowns. Pulaski County is one of seven communities chosen by the state to participate.
The local team decided to concentrate on placemaking. It describes a community’s strategic decision to dedicate resources to improving life experiences for residents, businesses and visitors. Pulaski County Community Development Commission Executive Director Nathan P. Origer says the committee was torn between the leadership and placemaking building blocks. They felt there would be greater community support for placemaking relative to specific leadership-development programs available and more opportunities for long-term success.
The HCI team will reconvene in August and discuss the next steps with an official from Ball State’s Building Better Communities department. Pulaski County will receive money from the state Office of Community and Rural Affairs to achieve goals identified through the program.
