Public and Private Support
Elected officials
Tom DeBaun: mayor, Shelbyville
“Our similarities as communities as well as our geographical alignment along I-74 make our region a natural location for future success. Our respective strengths complement each others’ goals and ambitions and, with this more formalized approach, we will become a hotbed for growth and investment.
“We have already seen success as individual communities as measured by private investment and the multiple partnerships formed with our businesses, educational partners and our foreign-direct investment. The successful completion of this new partnership for which we are applying will cement our place not only as a region but as a powerhouse in Indiana.”
Mike Pavey: mayor, Rushville
“We are excited to be a part of Accelerate Rural Indiana, as I believe that this team should make sense to all who live, work and play in our area. We are all familiar with our partners because we interact in a mutually beneficial manner on a daily basis.
“The READI program will accelerate the progress we have made over the past five years and push Rushville and our neighbors to be more viable and competitive.”
Joshua Marsh: mayor, Greensburg
“The city of Greensburg has been home to large direct investments from global corporations for decades, and we are excited about the opportunity to partner with our neighbors to show the world that southeastern Indiana and Accelerate Rural Indiana is ready for them to call us home. Our already momentous collaboration to improve the quality of life for current and future residents is only being made stronger by partnering in pursuit of being a READI recipient.”
Mike Bettice: mayor, Batesville
“For rural communities to be relevant and to grow, we have to continually look at and add quality-of-life items for present and future members. We have a responsibility to our citizens and business partners to make our communities attractive and vibrant so we can grow. We have a symbiotic relationship with our businesses to help them to be successful so we can be successful. We have to do our part to help them attract the talent they need to be successful. The READI program gives us the opportunity to push ahead some quality of life initiatives that we believe will help us grow for the future and take us to the next level.”
“For rural communities to be relevant and grow, we have to continually add attractive, vibrant quality-of-life items. We have to do our part to attract talent so our businesses can be successful. The READI program gives us the opportunity to advance some quality-of-life initiatives that will take us to the next level.”
Business leaders
Joe Raver: president and CEO, Hillenbrand
“As a publicly traded company headquartered in Batesville, we continue to support efforts that provide the city with recruiting or economic advantages. This funding will help improve the quality of life in the community, attract more employees, and continue to contribute to economic growth, while allowing us to be more successful in attracting corporate talent from the tri-state area.”
Chris Trainor: president, Batesville Casket
“Our employees are our greatest asset, and like other manufacturers in southeastern Indiana, Batesville Casket faces challenges in recruiting qualified workers. The additional funding from this grant would allow the city of Batesville to enhance housing, add amenities and improve infrastructure—and be more competitive for future workers.”
Jennifer Jones: executive director, Blue River Community Foundation
“As a foundation, we have close ties to the community foundations of Decatur and Rush counties and often look to each others’ organizations for inspiration. It’s only natural as our communities have several similarities. Additionally, we have local nonprofits that have recently collaborated to serve residents in both Decatur and Rush counties; we are thrilled to have the opportunity to further these alliances.
“Our community has worked hard to enhance the places where we live, work and recreate, and we know that our partners have done the same. Creating this region will strengthen each of our efforts and improve the quality of life not only in our individual counties but in this region of our state.”
Alisa Winters: executive director, Rush County Community Foundation
“This regional collaboration is an opportunity to build upon each community's ongoing quality of life and economic investments to create a viable, growing region for businesses and residents alike. Rush County Community Foundation is proud to be among the partners committed to this transformative initiative. We expect that our work with ARI is just the beginning of an impactful future of collaboration for our communities.”
Tami Wenning: executive director, Decatur County Community Foundation
“Community foundations were developed to help provide and leverage investments that will positively impact the areas we love. The READI program provides an outstanding opportunity for our organization and neighboring foundations to come together as partners and better our region. We're all eager to help make it happen. The collaboration we've seen so far is a testament to how well we have worked together in the past. We are excited by the potential to further unify the whole region—organizations, cities and counties alike—toward a set of regional goals. We truly look forward to working with everyone."