The Wayne County Foundation has committed a $1 million impact investment to support transformative neighborhood revitalization efforts in Richmond’s Vaile neighborhood. The investment, made in partnership with Intend Indiana, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), and the Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County (EDCWC), advances our long-standing mission to strengthen local communities, enhance the spirit of community and to improve the quality of life in the Wayne County, Indiana, area now and for future generations.

We adopted our local impact investment program in 2022. Different from grantmaking, impact investments yield both a financial and social return and are often part of a larger collaborative effort among stakeholders to achieve a goal. The financial return will allow us to reinvest back into projects that restore our communities, creating a social impact that will last well beyond our lifetimes.

Through our program, Forward Wayne County will review and recommend investments to the Wayne County Foundation board of directors from across Wayne County that advance countywide vitality and wellbeing that directly or indirectly serves diverse residents; revitalize existing assets to create vibrant city and town centers that offer community members hospitable and healthy spaces to live, work, commune, and incubate businesses; or that will improve Wayne County’s quality of life through investments in housing, entrepreneurship, and physical assets/built environment (not including basic infrastructure like roads, bridges, water systems, etc.).

First Impact Investment

The Foundation’s first housing impact investment allows us to put capital to work to drive positive community change, marking a powerful step forward in supporting the community outside of traditional grantmaking. We are being purposefully bold, listening to community feedback, imagining places of possibility, and realizing that big dreams start small. In this case, one place, one neighborhood at a time. Vaile.

“This project is a strong example of strategic impact investment at work,” said Acacia St. John, Director of Forward Wayne County. “By broadening the housing mix for our residents and advancing measurable goals for neighborhood revitalization, the Foundation is addressing both immediate community needs and long-term population growth objectives.”

At the heart of this work is a shared commitment to people, economic mobility, and inclusive growth. Our impact investment will help leverage state (IEDC) and local resources (EDCWC) to bring more attainable homes to market, ensuring that families across Wayne County, including local first-time homebuyers, have access to safe, modern, and affordable housing. It will also provide residential stability, increases in property tax revenue, and support a more diverse housing mix that aligns with community needs.

“We are pleased that we could be a part of a project that will catalyze redevelopment in our community,” said Rebecca Gilliam, Executive Director of the Wayne County Foundation.

“Strong neighborhoods are an integral part of a thriving Wayne County. Research tells us that homeownership provides a sense of security through a consistent place to live and ownership of the space and neighborhood in which someone lives. The affordable homes in this project are attainable for local residents and support our local economy. We applaud our partners at the EDCWC for sending Intend Indiana our way.”

Intend Indiana

Intend Indiana, an experienced statewide community development partner, will lead implementation, drawing from its proven track record in affordable housing, community revitalization, and innovative financing. They will aim to use local builders, contractors, and vendors to support our local economy. Their expertise, paired with local economic development leadership from EDCWC, positions the Vaile initiative to deliver meaningful, measurable impact.

The project also aligns with broader regional and state strategies to attract and retain talent by expanding housing choices and creating vibrant, livable neighborhoods with access to amenities, employment, and community networks.

As Wayne County works to grow its population and strengthen its economic position, investments like this help ensure that the county is prepared to meet demand and offer a range of attainable housing options. We are inviting others to join us.

If you have any questions, we would love to hear from you. You can reach Forward Wayne County at support@forwardwaynecounty.org or call at 765.259.3327.

The post Wayne County Foundation’s $1 Million Impact Investment appeared first on Forward Wayne County.

In September we are focusing on all things related to government. Forward Wayne County hired two interns this summer to assist with community planning and development. Tucker Burris, an IU East student, and Jaxin McCree, a Ball State student, spent the summer engaging with Wayne County communities and gaining insight from significant community members in each to help create the countywide strategic investment plan.

Their Tasks

Jaxin and Tucker’s roles were to gather information about each Wayne County Communities’ needs and help map out potential projects for the Strategic Investment Plan. Along with this, they also helped create housing and blight maps by surveying the surrounding communities. Much of their work involved working with town governments and communicating with community members.

Challenges Faced

Jaxin expressed that being assertive with community members was a challenge in the beginning of the internship. Tucker also experienced similar feelings when it came to setting up meetings with community members. However, Tucker noted that, “Once I realized how helpful and important this investment plan could be for these communities, it became easier for me to convince people that these meetings need to happen.”

Jaxin shared. “We also realized that many of these small community officials also had full- or part-time jobs. They do a lot of important work after regular business hours.”

Skills Gained

This internship put both interns into situations they had never experienced before, allowing them to grow and develop new skills. They found themselves acquiring greater attention to detail, better note-taking skills, as well as becoming better writers. Much of their work involved gathering and recording information for projects and creating clear project descriptions, so writing skills became very important as their internship progressed. Both agreed that honing these skills will benefit them in their future professional careers.

“Being a good listener and taking good notes helps you have ownership of your projects. And you become invested in the work. It was easy to get excited about a town’s potential and what Wayne County is trying to accomplish.”

Advice for Future Interns

Both interns expressed the value of being detail oriented. Making sure to write down every detail becomes important especially when projects span over multiple weeks. Tucker emphasized that, “Without the little things, finished products don’t come together.”

Jaxin also commented that not being afraid to make mistakes is a valuable trait to have, because it is bound to happen eventually. When it does, simply “…revisit your previous work, correct it, learn from it, and move on.”

They also both advised any intern in Wayne County to take advantage of any opportunity to explore the communities; go to every meeting you are invited to; go to events across the county; talk to leaders; put your name out there; and experience the unique restaurants and eateries in the county.

“The only restaurant we didn’t get to experience was Lumpy’s in Cambridge City. But we’ll be back!”

A New Perspective

With neither intern being from the area originally, they got to learn much about Wayne County. Jaxin and Tucker really enjoyed being in the community and seeing Wayne County up close. Tucker commented, “Being in the community and seeing Wayne County up close was awesome. It was wonderful to meet so many great people and have so many great conversations with people who have lived here their whole lives! There’s a lot of exciting things coming to Wayne County and I’m super proud to be a small part of it.”

Jaxin added. “Wayne County has so much history and we visited every community. People really care about what happens. Working with small, rural communities has been a real eye-opener for me. I’m excited to follow and see what happens in the next five years.”

Along with this, they both got to learn more about themselves. Both interns discovered that no matter where their careers take them, they want to have a job that leaves a positive impact on the community. And they could be convinced to make Wayne County their homes.

“Wayne County has good park systems, schools, employment options, and restaurants. Add some more amenities and diversified housing stock, and this will be the place for young professionals.”

Forward Wayne County enjoyed having Tucker and Jaxin as part of the team this summer and can’t wait to see where their career paths lead.

The post Intern Insights on Wayne County appeared first on Forward Wayne County.

Conveniently located on 227N, right off I-70, it provides a unique experience for all visitors. Visitors are greeted with the sweet aroma of natural beeswax melting, honey tasting, and educational conversations about ways to promote a healthy environment for the honeybees and local pollinators. In the retail side of the business you can find souvenirs, lots of honey, as well as beekeeping tools and equipment in the back for new and seasoned beekeepers.

History

Four Leaf Honey Farm founded by Earl M. Alexander after retiring from teaching in the late 1930s. Earl or “pop” as he was known in the community, supported the community by employing local high school teenagers to help in the bee yards during the summer. The original Honey Plant was located in Middleboro, IN, in the old school house building (which still stands today). Earl kept over 3000 hives throughout the Wayne County area and transported hives down to Egypt, GA. Fast forward to today, 2024, we are keeping up with some of Earl’s traditions, by hiring some college kids from the community to help during the summer break. While the apiary continues to grow, we currently tend to and keep about 130+ hives.

The BIG BUZZ

While Four Leaf Honey Farm is a small Christian family farm, we are a family worth getting to know. Our honey farm is an attraction to many in the community because of the honey and honey related treats, but also because our family promotes a healthy way of living in the community.

How? By becoming involved in volunteering with various non-profit organizations, providing locally grown produce, and sharing in the philanthropy work of beekeeping education. We promote a healthy environment for the honeybees, educate the next generation of beekeepers, and provide information on all the health benefits of local honey products.

We also provide a platform for small gatherings through pop-up shops where local, small homemakers and business owners can reach a broader audience during the annual Honey Fest, which usually takes place in November and or December.

Personal Passion

Honestly, we are humbled by the work that God has given us to do. We are called to help our neighbors, friends, and the community. For us, we serve our community through our summer produce and transcription services. It allows us to connect with and serve minority populations in the community all over Wayne County and specifically the Latino community.

Reaching the Latino Community means of offering produce they are familiar with, promoting the goods in Spanish, and getting to know what their needs are. It is a blessing, and we are thrilled to work with Purdue Extension, Gateway Hunger Relief Center, Hayes Arboretum, and other organizations to transcribe materials in Spanish to further enhance the value of our community.

We also collaborate with local schools to teach about gardening and fresh produce. We also prepare meals when time permits at Bridges for Life’s program, Dinner at the Lamp. When we help our fellow citizens with no expectations, our cups overflow with gratitude.

Visit Us

What do we look forward to in each season of life? To share the blessings, we have been so graciously given with anyone who wants to learn.  We welcome public schools, home schooled kids, organizations, seniors, and more. We’ll provide a setting to learn about beekeeping, growing your own food, and seed preservation at Four Leaf Honey Farm.

Be sure to stop by and visit our bee shop, where you will find an array of delectable honey treats, candles, hot honey, and DRIP Honey Soda! You’ll experience the most refreshing sip of a zero-guilt honey soda!

The post Four Leaf Honey Farm- Creating a big BUZZ in Wayne County appeared first on Forward Wayne County.

Our events, our partnerships, and our strategic focus are always about how we improve our town for residents, businesses and visitors. If you haven’t ventured to the Western part of the county in a while or ever, we invite you to come see us. We have antiques, retail establishments, and some amazing restaurants.

Partnerships

In partnership with the Cambridge City Chamber of Commerce, we updated two I-70 billboards to entice visitor traffic to the community. In addition, new way-finding signs is coming to improve visitor traffic in the community. Thank you to the Wayne County Foundation for making this signage possible.

In late spring, efforts for improving the Cambridge City Farmers’ Market began with securing a new site and increasing vendor participation. It runs each Saturday morning from 9am-Noon from June to October. We love the local feel of our market. The items are grown and created by the vendors. Cambridge City Main Street will be putting more resources into next year’s Farmers’ Market and looking for more vendors. Please reach out if you have an interest in participating in the June to October 2025 season.

Focus

Community support for Caring for Cambridge in April and August continues to grow. We know that a clean community helps instill pride and improves quality of life. And we can see the results! The two townwide clean up days have helped residents with improving the appearance of their properties. We have also been able to clean up some blighted properties to attract investment.

When the dates work, we have also worked with Wayne Union Recycle to coordinate tire collections from elderly and disabled residents. Our beautification plan for the community is supported by the Town of Cambridge City.

Events

This year’s Summer Concert Series was an added feature to 2^nd Saturdays in Cambridge City. It enhanced the June Jar Show, July Artisan Fair and August Junk in the Trunk. We had an increase in visitors from all over the county and Eastern Indiana.

The Canal Days Balloon Ride event was postponed due to weather. The new date is Saturday November 2^nd from 4:00-7:00pm at Western Wayne Elementary School. Tickets are $15.00.

Cambridge City Main Street finishes the calendar year of 2024 by bringing back the evening Christmas Parade as part of Winter Wonderland on Saturday November 30^th from 5:00-9:00pm. The parade starts at 9:00pm. It is a fun event for all. We look forward to seeing you!

The post Cambridge City Main Street – All About Community appeared first on Forward Wayne County.

Fountain City, located in northeastern Wayne County, is a small town rich with history and a sense of community. It is often noted that Fountain City’s residents are a cohesive mixture of families that have lived in and around the area for generations, as well as new, young families looking for a solid community to raise their children.

About

Fountain City Forward (FCF) is an organization dedicated to bringing that historical and generational love forward into an era of growth and community commitment. The group’s vision is to maximize opportunities for historical preservation, technological advancement, and safety enhancements.

In a time when small towns are dwindling and struggling to find their sense of community and purpose, Fountain City Forward is leading the charge to ensure this doesn’t happen there. Through community events, historical preservation, partnerships with local businesses, and action teams, Fountain City is on the cusp of immense revitalization.

The board of Fountain City Forward comprises lifelong and returning residents, professionals, local school graduates, and business leaders. In just a short time, the board has filed for non-profit status, created a website, set up additional social media communication tools, cast a vision, opened lines of communication between the residents and city officials, created and hosted events, held informational meetings, and supported local businesses. 

Momentum

Fountain City Forward is gaining momentum through partnerships such as Northeastern Schools. Both local artists and elementary students were encouraged to submit artwork for an art show. The show, held at the Lion’s Club building, brought together artists, both young and old, using a variety of mediums to showcase their talent. Judges from the Richmond Art Museum and Earlham College were present to select artists whose pieces stood out for recognition. The community highly appreciated this new event, resulting in creative spirits coming together.

Another exciting event Fountain City Forward helped orchestrate was in connection with the total eclipse that was celebrated countywide. FCF held its first annual 5k and dog walk. They partnered with several local businesses and Northeastern High School to bring athletes and their families from far and wide to the small city. Participants came from as far as South Dakota and Florida!

As part of FCF’s vision, history plays a significant role in planning. Intentionally, FCF created the 5k route to have walkers and runners work their way past several historical buildings in Fountain City, giving people outside the community a chance to see places they may want to visit. It also showed the participants the historical value of the town.

Along those lines, FCF wants to reignite the sense of family by creating a community cookbook. In a time where recipes are often found online, FCF reminds people near and far that recipes originate at home. Launching a collection of family recipes from local residents puts that sense of family right in their hands. The cookbook will also feature recipes and biographical information about prominent historical people. This project aims for the recipients to treasure the recipes passed from generation to generation and pass them on to the next.

Sense of Community

Fountain City Forward also fostered a sense of community when it held its first-ever block party. The Levi Coffin House, Lion’s Club, Fountain City Fire Department and Police, Reid Ambulance, and Thurston Farms joined us. This was a chance for friends and family to spend time together at a local landmark, Fountain City Park. There were games and a bounce house for the whole family. The community is looking forward to this annual event next year!

Recently, Fountain City Forward held its first Small Business Pop-in! Martin’s Country Mart hosted the pop-in for Derek Callahan, a realtor and owner of DC Painting & Pressure Washing. People could stop by for a free soda sponsored by Derek. It was a great opportunity for the community to support local businesses and see new and familiar faces throughout the event. 

With the hustle and bustle of life today, Fountain City Forward wants to provide a chance to slow down and spend some time with your family and neighbors. Christmas is just around the corner!  They are hosting an event on December 7, 2024, in the Fountain City Park. Residents can bring an ornament to hang on the newly planted tree in the park. There will also be a tree-lighting ceremony, where a special guest in red might make an appearance!

Volunteer

Fountain City Forward has worked diligently to create open lines of communication with city officials, community organizations, and local businesses. One way they have achieved this is by holding monthly meetings for interested residents to participate in developing future events and partnerships. Join us and volunteer.

There are many facets that make Fountain City great. There are many ways to give back to the community that helped raise and shape thousands of people in our area. Fountain City Forward looks FORWARD to continued revitalization and a renewed sense of community.

For more information, please find Fountain City Forward on Facebook, Instagram (@fountaincityforward), and TikTok (fountain.city.for). Our website is fountaincityforward.org. Find upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, donation links, local business links, and even merch!  You can reach them at fountaincityforward@gmail.com.

The post Fountain City Forward–A Community Organization on a Mission appeared first on Forward Wayne County.

Indiana Landmarks in Wayne County  

Neighborhood development and reinvestment go hand in hand with historic preservation. Indiana Landmarks has long believed investing in local communities is the key to saving heritage sites and developing communities. We have had a long history of investing in Wayne County. Our first Eastern Regional Office opened in the Huddleston Farmhouse in Cambridge City in the 1970s and remained there until 2022. When we entrusted Huddleston to new stewards, we didn’t go far. In 2024, the Eastern Regional Office opened a new location at the Reid Center in Richmond.  

Investing in Local Preservation  

Our preservation efforts take many forms. One of those is our 10 Most Endangered List. It is a tool we use to highlight properties or districts that are on the threshold of extinction and too important to lose. This list aims to highlight the situations and bring in much-needed support. Wayne County has had four listings on this list over the years: the American House in Centerville, the Pennsylvania Railroad Station in Richmond, the Reid Center in Richmond, and, most recently, the Starr District in Richmond. Community members stepped in to restore and save the first three.  

We are partnering with Richmond Columbian Properties, the Richmond Historic Preservation Commission, and Richmond Neighborhood Restoration to make headway in listing the Starr District as a save. In years past we helped revitalize properties along North 10^th Street in the district and have recently been investing more. The Eastern Regional Office is now located in the Reid Center, which sits at the edge of the Starr District. We’ve invested in renovating and leasing two rooms as our offices. Additionally, in 2022, we acquired 215 North 12th Street, made necessary stabilization repairs, and in early 2024, sold the property to Richmond Neighborhood Restoration. They will be fully rehabilitating the home and selling it to owners who will be good property stewards.  

Working with Local Stakeholders  

We also invest in organizations that are spending their resources to develop the community through preservation efforts. This is achieved by offering small grants and loans to local non-profits. We have participated in many Wayne County projects through this program, including 2237 East Main Street with Richmond Neighborhood Restoration, the William G. Scott House with Richmond Columbian Properties, the Mathias and Kline Buildings with Cambridge City Main Street, and the Old Bertsch Foundry with Western Wayne Heritage. 

We also regularly coordinate and partner with residents and local organizations to forward preservation projects. A part of that is our easement and covenant program. This program allows Indiana Landmarks to protect the architectural features of buildings in perpetuity. It is one of the best ways property owners can protect their buildings. We hold protective easements and covenants on 38 properties in Wayne County, including ones in Hagerstown, Centerville, and Fountain City. Again, we do this to ensure the architectural integrity of the community is not lost during development.  

One Project at a Time  

We often take projects one building, one street, one district at a time. It can sometimes be hard to see the benefits of projects when there is so much more to be done. However, time and experience have shown us that one project at a time makes a difference. Other groups and residents are inspired to get involved, more work happens, and, sure enough, progress radiates out. 

Interested in learning more?  Visit the Indiana Landmarks website for more information. You can also reach the Eastern Regional office at east@indianalandmarks.org.  

Successful neighborhood development requires investment from community partners like Indiana Landmarks. The nature of that work helps bring like-minded stakeholders together to initiate the change.  

The post Preserving Neighborhoods and Communities appeared first on Forward Wayne County.

As part of Forward Wayne County’s focus on Neighborhood Development, we talked with Brenda McLane, The Wayne County Foundation Board of Directors President, and Jim McLane, both long-time Western Wayne residents. They have heavily involved themselves in community development efforts in Cambridge City. 

In addition, the McLanes have volunteered with several local nonprofit boards. Brenda’s involvements include the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce, IU East Chancellors Advisory Council, and several boards in Cambridge City. Jim is currently on the Cambridge City Town Council and Cambridge City Main Street Board.  

They also dedicate their time to current projects and initiatives. Brenda helped plan solar eclipse events by serving on the Wayne County Eclipse Board. Jim represented Cambridge City on the Wayne County HELP Committee and evaluated various local projects attached to READI 2.0.   

Getting Started   

Brenda and Jim are originally Cambridge City natives, and they raised their kids in the community. Once their kids became adults, they moved to Bloomington but came back to Wayne County in 2018 to buy the Westen Wayne News and be closer to family. It was through the news lens that inspired the McLanes to get involved.  

Brenda saw Cambridge City’s ongoing redevelopment efforts happening when they moved back.  

“It’s easy to get excited about the community of Cambridge City. Many great things were already happening here when we moved back in 2018 with buildings being restored, upgraded sidewalks and curbs, and the downtown was beginning to thrive again.”  

Jim sees a community that has a lot going on for it with the Golay Center, Main Street, and Creitz Park. It helped inspire him to join the Town Council.   

“Cambridge City is at a crossroads. It has the opportunity to become something more, and I wanted to be part of that.” 

The McLanes want to help enhance those efforts and entice more people to make Cambridge City their home. 

Impactful Community Projects   

In her years of involvement, Brenda has gravitated toward several local projects. One of those initiatives is Cambridge City Main Street and the group’s community-wide cleanups.  

Every year, there is a cleanup day where residents volunteer their time to pick up or drop off trash found around the community. Brenda sees it as a great way to get people involved as they take advantage of the day to clear their properties and volunteer to make pickups.  

“Seeing that volunteer base grow has been gratifying. It proves that community involvement is fun and helping people is contagious. In addition to Jim and I, there are many people in Cambridge City who work to grow community pride with neighbors helping neighbors.”    

Another Main Street project that Brenda has seen making meaningful impacts is the summer concerts in Creitz Park. She and other community members look forward to the concerts as an avenue to socialize.  

“In a small town, most of us know one another or at least family members, but sadly, the opportunity to talk and catch up often comes at the funeral home, so the concert environment has filled a gap in bringing us together once a month for a truly fun evening.”   

Jim believes the Main Street and Creitz Park initiatives are benefiting the community’s success, while building on activities that were already happening.   

“So many things are going right for us. We need to capitalize on it.”  

Vision for Cambridge City   

The positive work across Cambridge City is moving along and will continue to make changes. Brenda sees the efforts impacting several sectors of the community, such as cultivating new businesses, cleaning up blighted properties, and bringing more activities to Creitz Park.  

She would also like to see Cambridge’s nightlife become more energetic and sculptures of famous residents built to highlight their accomplishments. 

Jim, along with the Cambridge City Town Council and Cambridge City Main Street, has been working on finalizing an outdoor venue space adjacent to the park. People of all ages and abilities could use the space year-round.

“This is the second summer for concerts and it has been really neat to see all of the people, including families, make it part of their weekend plans. Right now it is just a temporary stage, but by this time next year, we’ll have the permanent structure in place.” 

The McLanes share a desire to convince younger people to move to or stay in the community.  

“We want to entice a younger generation to move here and stay here, and we want them to be involved in improving the town.”  

Advice for Others   

The McLanes have several pieces of advice to offer people looking to make a difference in Wayne County.  

Jim thinks if someone wants to become an active community member, they need to go all in. 

 “Don’t go halfway. You must be willing to put forward that effort.”  

Brenda advises people looking to get involved not to be scared to take the first step.  

“Don’t be shy – just do it. Find something you’re passionate about, and volunteer to help to make a difference.”  

She also encourages others to stay connected with local news and attend local government meetings to get an idea of what is going on in the community.  

“Go to meetings to show your interest. Instead of criticizing, ask questions, offer to help, and let them know you want to be part of positive change. It’s fun, and it makes you feel good to volunteer, to contribute ideas, and to give back.” 

The post Community Involvement with the McLanes appeared first on Forward Wayne County.

What is causing this specific trend? What does it mean for communities like the ones in Wayne County? As Forward Wayne County continues its focus on young professionals, this blog will examine a few reasons for the script change.

Personal and Economic Reasons

COVID-19 brought about several societal changes across the country. One of those changes was people being confronted with making hard decisions on where they lived. Those decisions were centered around several factors like housing prices and remote work living options. Naturally, this led to more people coming back to smaller communities, and it was prevalent in the younger generations. A 2021 study by CNBC found that 31% of young adults chose to relocate during the Pandemic.

This became known as the Great Relocations and has been happening for years. A 2018 Gallup poll found that 30% of Millennials would rather live in a small town, while Gen Z has started to prefer suburban metros slightly. The data from the Pandemic and recent years helps support evidence of young people moving back to smaller communities. What is causing so many people to make the change?  

Small Town Lifestyle and Community

It’s no secret that small communities offer a lifestyle that is unique to them. Locations like Wayne County provide a quiet and simple way of living, which appeal to some young professionals.

Small towns provide a strong sense of belonging and community, making it easier for everyone to know each other and stay in contact. And by being connected, young professionals can get active in local organizations and events.

Young professionals in Wayne County can rely on organizations like HYPE to help them find others in the same age group. Make My Move offers young professionals the opportunity and connections to move here.

And in Wayne County, no matter where you live, you can be in another community within 30 minutes to explore, dine, connect, or just have fun.

Affordability

Affordability and cost of living have been driving factors in young professionals moving to small communities. Compared to larger metropolitan areas, smaller towns tend to be more affordable, whether you’re talking about housing or daily essentials.

Housing is big for younger generations as they transition from apartment living to purchasing a home. Several studies have noted affordability is a massive hurdle for Millennials and Gen Zers in buying a home. Housing prices have typically remained cheaper in smaller communities, which could provide young professionals living in them the opportunity to become homeowners.

Wayne County is getting ready to experience new housing options. From market rate apartments geared toward young professionals, to single family homes, the county will have more housing to bring more young professionals back to Wayne County.

Remote Work

The increase in remote work options opened Pandora’s Box regarding living options. With offices closed due to COVID, companies had to resort to their employees working from home. Since then, remote working has only exploded in popularity, and it allows young professionals the opportunity to live and work where they choose.

This has made It more accessible for them to move to a small town. They no longer need to rely on a big city for employment as they can work from the comfort of their homes. Remote working gives them a big city job in the boundaries of a small community.  

Entrepreneurship

Younger generations, especially Gen Z, are known for their sense of entrepreneurship. That entrepreneurial spirit may entice young professionals to open their own businesses in a small community. Starting a business in places like Wayne Couty offers several benefits, including less competition, less start-up costs, a readily available customer base, and the opportunity to grow.

In addition, young entrepreneurs can join the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce and take advantage of their Buy Local committee. The Buy Local Committee encourages residents of Wayne County to utilize local retail businesses and local services in order to improve our local economy. 

Local Connections

Another reason why young professionals move back to small communities is because they are from the area. Working in your hometown can be a solid way to start your career. Young professionals who return to their hometowns may already have solid connections with community members and organizations. This can lead to easy networking opportunities and job prospects.

Local connections also help young professionals with volunteer opportunities at local organizations. It also can help with joining nonprofit boards, supporting fundraising events, and professional development.

Implications

What does all this mean for small communities? It shows that young professionals have a genuine interest in living and working in areas like Wayne County.

Local governments and organizations should capitalize on this interest to help attract young professionals. This has already been set in motion with initiatives like Make My Move and other local projects like housing developments.

Small communities have a lot to offer to young professionals, and some of them are starting to see this. It helps show us that Wayne County is not forgotten but are being given new life through new generations.

The post Why are Young Professionals Moving back to Small Communities? appeared first on Forward Wayne County.

This December, Forward Wayne County is talking about Our Community and the people that are part of it. We asked Gary Schutte, President of The Heart of Hagerstown, to talk about community advocacy and how he does it in his position.

Defining Community

Community is not just about the physical address that we have in life. Community can be defined in many different shapes and forms. Every individual gets to decide what community means to them and how they will contribute. As a resident and a business owner in Hagerstown, this is the community I want to see succeed and prosper.

For that to happen, you have to become involved. Everyone in today’s world is busy and feels that they don’t have time to become involved, but all it takes is some time to help your community. You do not have to commit to multiple hours every day, week, or month; just do what you can.

My Role as a Community Advocate

When I returned to Hagerstown in 1996 and opened my business, I was one of those who “didn’t have the time.” I was young and just trying to survive with a new retail business, which consumed my life. As the years went on, I was asked to serve on various boards and committees, which I began doing; some required little time, while others were significant.

But they all worked towards the goal of making a “community” better. Everything that makes our community happen takes participation to make it happen, whether that be belonging to a group that puts on an event, serving on your local library board, or serving on your local Planning Commission. These groups need not only members but also the support for their events to continue.

As president of The Heart of Hagerstown, our merchant and business association and Main Street organization, I represent the other business owners and group members and am their advocate daily.

I am fortunate that I get to talk to many individuals every day and to tell the story of Hagerstown, whether that be about what Hagerstown has to offer or the fact that our Little League team went to the Little League World Series last year.

We should always be excited to talk about our community and highlight the fact that you are a part of it. The size of your audience doesn’t matter; it could be the new neighbor across the street or speaking in front of 200 people at a meeting.

Championing Community

Be the champion and the voice of your community. Use every opportunity and chance to tell others what makes up your community and why they should become involved.

I was recently at an event in Indianapolis and was talking with the organizers about Hagerstown. They have since visited Hagerstown and expressed interest in bringing an event that they organize to Hagerstown. This all came from my conversation about my community and what makes it special to me.

We are told all the time that life is what you make of it; your community is no different. You need your community, and your community needs you.

The post Advocating for your Community appeared first on Forward Wayne County.

Improving a community starts small, and one of the best ways to improve a community is to strengthen its’ neighborhoods. Read below to learn about how to deepen bonds with your neighbors to create healthy, thriving neighborhoods!

Plan a Neighborhood Event

Who doesn’t love a good party? Hosting social events for your neighborhood opens the door to building relationships with the folks on your street. These events can be anything from huge block parties to small backyard gatherings, and anything in between.

Are you a movie buff? Get a projector and host a neighborhood movie night!

Maybe you’re a bookworm with overflowing bookshelves. In that case, organize a neighborhood book swap!

For the artistically inclined, a community mural or even a sidewalk chalk contest can bring people together! Creating a piece of art with your neighbors for your neighborhood to enjoy is a great way to create a sense of pride!

The upcoming 2024 solar eclipse will be a great way to get the neighborhood together – everyone in Wayne County will want to be there! Take a look at the Total Eclipse website to learn about what will be going on in our area and how your neighborhood can join in on the fun!

This list from the National Neighborhood Day has an exhaustive list of different activity ideas that you could use! The only limit is your own imagination.

Make the Introductions

You’ve likely heard the phrase, “be the change you wish to see in the world.” Neighborhoods are no exception! The only way to be sure that more than 57% of Americans know their neighbors is to get out there and make connections.

One simple way to start could be by bringing a welcome gift to new neighbors. It doesn’t have to be extravagant – maybe a meal or baked good – but the act itself is likely to make a lasting impression on your new neighbor! This is a great way to introduce yourself and tells the newcomers that they are welcome in their new community.

You don’t have to wait until someone new moves in, though. Saying hi to a neighbor you don’t normally talk to when you’re taking out the trash or walking the dog can build and strengthen those relationships in small ways.

Who knows – you and the person across the street might have a ton in common! You’ll never know unless you make the introduction.

Take Ownership of Where You Live

You have the power to improve your neighborhood! Simple acts like maintaining your yard, picking up trash, or helping to clear communal sidewalks doesn’t just improve your home, but the homes around yours as well.

If you notice that a neighbor is frequently at work and can’t mow their lawn, offer to help! Maybe that’s letting them borrow a mower or weed trimmer, or walking over and cutting it yourself (with permission, of course). Lending a helping hand to your neighbors every once in a while will lead to stronger bonds in the long term!

Lending a helping hand with yard work is only one of many ways you can be neighborly. You can check out our infographic on how to be a great neighbor on our website. It has plenty of tips on how you can sow the seeds for a strong neighborhood!

You can also take ownership of your community by sharing upcoming events that could benefit your neighbors. Wayne Union Recycle hosts regular document shredding events – and has one coming up on July 29th! Visit the WUR website to learn more.

Meaningful Change Takes Time

However you choose to start your journey of neighborhood development, nothing happens overnight. By making the effort, though, you’ll start to see ripple effects! Small, consistent acts of being a good neighbor will inspire others to follow suit. After all, we’re all in this together – sometimes it just takes one person to light the spark!

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