ocra’s mission statement

The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs

OCRA’s Mission Statement

To work with local, state, and national partners to provide

resources and technical assistance to aid communities in shaping their

vision for community/economic development.

Federal and State budget reductions◦ Post-stimulus◦ OCRA 17% Federal reduction

Disaster recovery Agency readiness (internal and external)

State Challenges

Local Challenges

Local finances/budgets going through a sea-change -- a perfect storm

Property tax caps Reliance on other sources such as LOIT Recession (substantial reduction of

income from LOIT, etc.)

Local Challenges (Nationally)

Local Budget ‘Recession’ through 2012 Declining Federal and State Assistance

◦ (Intergovernmental transfers account for 31% - 55% of local budgets)

Significantly expanding service needs, particularly social services (workforce training)

“… Many important challenges demand a regional approach. The nation is increasingly a conglomeration of regional economies and ecosystems that should be approached as such. Federal investments should promote planning and collaboration across jurisdictional boundaries.”

Paradigm Shift

“Given the forces reshaping smaller communities, it is particularly important that … development programs be coordinated with broader regional initiatives. Programs in neighboring zones and within larger regions – some of which connect rural communities to metropolitan regions – should complement each other.”

“Federal programs should reflect better the nation’s ec0nomic and social diversity, both in rural and metropolitan areas. To the extent possible, programs should allow for communities to identify distinct needs and address them in appropriate, strategic ways….” *White House “Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies”

August 11, 2009

The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs

REGIONAL IS HERE

Whether we like it or not

At all levels:(Federal, State, Local)

Silo Approaches to Funding

Lack of Collaboration

Current State

Tactical (Reactive)

v.Strategic(Proactive)

The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs

Regionalism is a Strategic Paradigm

Capacity building for resiliencyStrategic actionCollaborationRegional approaches/regional value-added

Rural Economic Development

Community Liaisons, Project Managers◦ Reach out to local elected officials, ED officials◦ Proactive, problem-solving approach to

community issues Trained facilitators

◦ SWOT analysis, strategic planning, organizational development

Aggressive partnership building◦ Interagency collaboration◦ Leveraging funds

Continuous improvement

The OCRA Approach

Operational System

CDBGCommunity Development

Block Grants

Partners:◦ Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs◦ Indiana Housing and Community Development

Agency◦ Indiana Department of Transportation◦ Indiana Finance Authority◦ USDA – Rural Development

Focus on rural communities Three-year commitment to funding Focus on planning, strategic investment

and regional value-added

Stellar Communities

City of Greencastle

• Revitalize courthouse square and central business district

• Create pedestrian friendly residential areas• Enhance housing options - second story loft

housing in commercial district and new construction in South Court neighborhood

• Community health initiatives, including new community health center and new trail linking community to recreational area

• Partnership with Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra

• Technology hub/Wi-Fi bubble in commercial district

City of North Vernon• Arvin Redevelopment site - 3.5

Acre Brownfield site, clearing the way for private investment

• Carnegie Library Restoration• Depot Events Center Renovation • Downtown Streetscapes • Historic Uptown Streetscape

improvements near Irish Hill neighborhood

• Close Short Street to construct pedestrian-friendly plaza space

• Main Street Development - mixed use for both commercial and residential development

The best regions are organic Regional is contextual Regional is going to happen Communities need to be prepared

◦Collaboration◦Strategic Action◦Identify their own regional value-added◦Community conversations

Final Thoughts

Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs

One North Capitol, Suite 600Indianapolis, IN 46204

800.824.2476

www.ocra.IN.gov

Contact OCRA