Applications for Indiana HomeTown Competitiveness Program Now Available

Applications for the Indiana HomeTown Competitiveness (IHTC) program are now available through the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs.  After nine Indiana communities successfully completed the pilot program earlier this year, the Indiana HomeTown Competitiveness resource team is pleased to invite additional communities to participate in IHTC.  The resource team consists of six partner organizations: the Office of Community and Rural Affairs, Ball State University's "Building Better Communities," Indiana Grantmakers Alliance, the Indiana Rural Development Council, Purdue University's Center for Regional Development/Extension Service, and   USDA - Rural Development. 

Indiana HomeTown Competitiveness is a comprehensive approach to rural development which emphasizes four pillars: mobilizing local leaders, energizing entrepreneurship, capturing wealth transfer, and engaging youth.  The program encourages citizens to participate in leadership opportunities and supports aggressive community and economic development plans.

"Strategic economic and community development plans are essential to the growth and sustainability of Indiana's rural areas," said David Terrell, Executive Director of OCRA.  "The Indiana HomeTown Competitiveness program's emphasis on strengthening local leadership and mobilizing development resources represents a major opportunity for communities throughout our state."

Program criteria and the IHTC application are available at www.ocra.IN.gov.  Completed applications must be submitted on or before October 31, 2008.  For more information, please contact OCRA at 800-824-2476.

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