A dedicated team has delivered an impactful message to the State of Indiana: Dearborn County has huge positive momentum in economic and community development and is ready for partnership with state agencies to take these efforts to the next level.
The One Dearborn County Stellar Pathways team traveled to the Indiana State Government Center on Tuesday, December 3 to present the stories and our communities’ plans for reinvestment in Greendale, Dillsboro, and Bright.
The Stellar Pathways program is a multi-year, multi-million-dollar initiative led by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. The program works with communities in a self-determined region on a shared vision for community and economic development, promotes local and regional partnerships, and assists in implementing sustainable solutions to challenges Indiana’s rural communities face.
One Dearborn County region — inclusive of participating local governments for Dearborn County, Greendale, and Dillsboro — was selected as one of four finalist regions for the 2024 cycle of Stellar Pathways this past May. Utilizing a $50,000 planning grant, as well as a $5,000 planning contribution from the Dearborn Community Foundation, the planning team has dutifully worked with individuals and organizations across the county to create the new One Dearborn County Strategic Investment Plan. The plan is now published and available for reading at www.1dearborn.org/stellar.
In forming the bold plan, thousands of Dearborn County citizens shared through in-person workshops and online surveying what was important to their families and communities. And the Stellar team listened in setting our countywide vision:
Dearborn County envisions itself as a vibrant and prosperous gateway into Southeast Indiana, leveraging its prime location within the greater metropolitan region to drive community growth and elevate quality of life. By building upon and preserving our core assets—pristine rural landscapes, thriving outdoor recreation, and the charm of our small, historic downtowns—we strive to create a welcoming and flourishing environment for residents, visitors, and businesses alike. Our vision includes:
Maximizing Our Strategic Location: We will enhance our role as a gateway between Cincinnati and northern Kentucky into and out of Indiana, fostering thoughtful development, promoting infill and revitalization, and supporting sustainable rural growth in western Dearborn County.
Expanding Outdoor Recreation: With our breathtaking hilltops, landscapes, and rivers as natural assets, we will invest in amenities, extensive trails, and park enhancements to support these assets, positioning our region as a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts and a retreat to simpler living.
Preserving and Enhancing Community Charm: Our vibrant riverfront cities and peaceful rural towns offer a distinctive way of life. We will focus on placemaking and historic preservation in our downtowns to ensure our communities remain attractive, vibrant, and desirable places to live, work, and visit.
The transformational investments proposed for Stellar Pathways include revitalization of Greendale’s southern Ridge Avenue neighborhood, a renaissance for Dillsboro’s downtown, enhancements and gathering spaces at Bright Meadows Park, downtown infill housing, new senior housing, community health workers, historic preservation, and a thriving local food system.
The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs is expected to announce the Stellar Pathways designees in January 2025.
Watch for more One Dearborn County Stellar Pathways updates. You can always find the latest Stellar information www.1dearborn.org/stellar.
Thank you to the Dearborn Community Foundation for supporting public engagement in the One Dearborn County Stellar Pathways planning process