among Rochester’s leaders. However, Ladd states that Rochester’s major projects are all interconnected. “For example, without adequate housing, new jobs created at the industrial park won’t attract local applicants,” he says. “Meanwhile, without job opportunities, there’s less incentive for developers to invest in housing.” Ladd cites one local employer where “literally 75% of his employees live outside of Fulton County and commute in every day,” highlighting the urgent need for more local housing. ARCHITECTING A FUTURE OF BELONGING AND OPPORTUNITY As Rochester plans its next chapter, local leaders are creating a community that attracts new residents and businesses while drawing back those who may have left. There’s a push to nurture a sense of place, a culture that appeals to newcomers and lifelong residents. Mayor Odell sees a key part of his mission as cultivating this culture of belonging and ambition. “We need to create that culture and a place where people want to come or want to come back,” he says. Ladd is optimistic about the road ahead due to the transformation that’s already begun. “The future is whatever we’re going to make, and we have an opportunity that we didn’t have 10, 11 months ago,” he says. The shift in leadership, combined with a renewed focus on growth, has sparked a change in attitudes across Rochester.“It’s up to the community and their leadership to figure out,‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ and then go pursue that,” he adds, capturing the sense of reinvention taking hold. For Mayor Odell, building this future goes beyond economic development; it embraces empowering the people of Rochester to channel their talents and ambitions.“One of the responsibilities I have as mayor is to create a conduit for our leadership talent plus our general community’s talent to be launched and used,” he says. He believes the town’s creativity and drive have been “squelched” for too long, stifled by a lack of opportunity. Now, he’s committed to providing an outlet for that energy, encouraging residents to “run with ideas” and make their mark on the new Rochester emerging from a sleepy past. 221 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 12 ROCHESTER, IN
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