housing, lodging, commercial development, and— perhaps most importantly—industrial development. A new industrial park is in the works, a project that could create jobs and stimulate the local economy. Rochester’s amenities, though modest, offer a foundation to build upon. Mayor Odell points to Lake Manitou as one of the town’s strongest assets.“Right now, there’s not a great deal of tourism going on,” he admits, adding that while the lake and the events around it draw some local interest, there’s room for improvement. Traditional events, like chili cook-offs and classic car shows, are popular, but the mayor sees potential for more ambitious programming to attract visitors and boost local pride. He believes that with some effort, Rochester could create a more vibrant cultural scene that would give residents and tourists a reason to spend time downtown. The people of Rochester, though, remain its greatest asset, according to Mayor Odell.“They’re very friendly,” he says, describing the town as a “comfortable 217 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 12 ROCHESTER, IN
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