about 478 people, you start to get lost in the process. I wanted to be part of this so that I could keep the town of Roann in the foresight of every single conversation, every single project.” The initiative’s impact extends beyond traditional development metrics. “Our goal is to be known as the leader in rural Indiana,” Downard emphasizes. “What we’re doing every single day, whether it be in the town of Roann with a population of 400 or the city of Wabash with almost 11,000 people, is positioning ourselves to be ready when that shift comes and have places for people to live and things for people to do.” INFRASTRUCTURE, BROADBAND, AND UTILITIES As Wabash County positions itself for growth, leaders are tackling critical infrastructure challenges head-on, from industrial development needs to internet connectivity. These initiatives represent a comprehensive approach to building future-ready communities across the county. The initiative’s development process was remarkably inclusive, gathering input from over 1,000 residents despite the challenges of the pandemic. By summer 2022, all units of government and plan commission bodies in Wabash County had adopted the comprehensive plan. “It’s really common for a city or town to have a comprehensive plan,” Downard notes.“It’s less common that all the cities and towns in the county agree on what that common vision is.” What makes Imagine One85 truly unique is its implementation strategy. Rather than letting the plan gather dust, the county hired Downard as implementation director to drive forward 85 specific action items aimed at reversing population decline. The initiative leverages Wabash County’s exceptional philanthropic strength – it has the largest endowment per capita in Indiana and ranks as the state’s second most philanthropically active county. For smaller communities like Roann, Imagine One85 has been transformative. “I bought in right at the very beginning,” says Ferguson.“When you’re talking 5 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 02 WABASH COUNTY, IN
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