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Local Stewards: The Leadership Behind the Wayne County Land Trust
The Wayne County Land Trust was established in 2025 with a clear purpose: to preserve and revitalize the properties that make downtown Richmond and the Depot worth caring about. But a mission is only as strong as the people behind it. The Land...
Wayne Bank Shred Days
Our theme for April is environment, and it’s only fitting that we got to experience every form of weather this month—Rain, snow, ice, sunshine—you name it. Not only that, but April is also the month that celebrates Earth Day on the 22nd. This month, we focused on...
Beyond the Books: How Libraries Shape Neighborhood Development
This month’s theme for Forward Wayne County is Neighborhood Development. In light of this, I’ve spent the last few weeks asset-mapping Wayne County. Posts about Wayne County’s natural, cultural, human, social, political, built, and financial capital can be found on...
All About Me!
Hello everyone! My name is Jalyn Bruns, Forward Wayne County’s new communications intern. I am extremely excited about the many opportunities I’ve been given so far, including writing my own monthly blog! I decided that I will share a little bit about myself, discuss...
Four Leaf Honey Farm- Creating a big BUZZ in Wayne County
Four Leaf Honey Farm, a family-owned beekeeping supply store and retail shop is owned and operated by the 3rd generation beekeepers, The Alexanders. Under their leadership, the farm is creating a big buzz in Wayne County. We asked them to share about their business...
County Government- Service and Fiscal Responsibility
When is it comes to County Government, we couldn’t think of a better guest blogger than Beth Leisure, President of the Wayne County Council. We asked her to tell our readers and followers about service and what the Council does on a weekly basis. Here are her...
Why Small-Town Government is Important
We are thrilled that Barb Irvin, Economy’s Clerk/Treasurer, is our blog guest writer for this month as we look at government. Barb is a fellow Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program (HELP) Core Committee member for Wayne County. She shares her perspective on why small-town...
Cambridge City Main Street – All About Community
As we wrap up Main Street month, Forward Wayne County asked Troy Lewis, President of Cambridge City Main Street, to share his perspective on the importance of his organization. He shared that Cambridge City Main Street is all about community: Our events, our...
Main Street Centerville- Unique History Driving Redevelopment
Forward Wayne County’s focus on Main Streets this month leads us to Main Street Centerville. They are using their unique history to drive redevelopment. Mindy Myers, with Main Street Centerville, shares why Centerville is so special: Main Street Centerville’s mission...
Fountain City Forward–A Community Organization on a Mission
As Forward Wayne County kicks off Main Street month, we thought is would be fitting to introduce Wayne County to its newest Main Street Group, Fountain City Forward. Rett Foster, with the group, shares that they are a community organization on a mission. Fountain...
Why Free Shakespeare in the Park?
As Forward Wayne County closes out its focus on Arts and Culture this month, we asked Ray Ontko, Richmond Shakespeare Festival board president, why public theater, and specifically free Shakespeare, is important. Richmond Shakespeare Festival (RSF) provides Free...
Murals Make Communities Beautiful
As we continue our focus on Arts and Culture, enjoy this week’s blog by Angel Gray with the Tourism Bureau. She shares how murals make communities beautiful: Imagine being a tourist in an unfamiliar place, walking through a downtown, turning a corner and unexpectedly...
An Important Fabric of the Community
When you consider everything arts and culture can offer a community, the possibilities are endless. Whether contributing to local economic development, building community, or attracting investments, there is always a case for a robust local arts scene. As we begin to...
From Aspirations to Achievements
As Forward Wayne County closes out its focus on Educational Attainment, we asked Cassandra VanDevender, Career Services Specialist with IU East, to discuss higher education and some ways IU East can help students navigate their academic journey. I was honored...
The Case for Lifelong Learning
Our learning never stops. We are constantly introduced to new ideas, concepts, and approaches that influence our lives. The is called being a lifelong learner and it's a familiar term for most. What exactly is lifelong learning? How can we pursue it? To continue...
Educational Attainment and the Local Workforce
The state of a community’s workforce is essential to the local economy. A workforce needs to have diverse skills and backgrounds to sustain job retention and growth. Education plays a crucial part in this by giving people the chance to learn new skills and become more...
