Indiana's rural areas, including communities like ours, are continuously looking for ways to increase their viability by attracting and retaining residents and businesses alike. To help, I authored legislation to encourage counties, cities and towns to partner with the state to support local quality-of-life and quality-of-place projects.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than half of Indiana’s counties lost population from 2010 to 2020. In Pulaski County alone, there was more than a 6 percent decrease in population over the same time. By working to improve quality of life, rural communities can attract more economic development and opportunities that could encourage new families to plant their roots and current families to stay and grow.
Whether communities seek to increase access to childcare, health care and technology, or build new playgrounds and public green spaces, I believe creating a dedicated state matching grant could open countless opportunities.
Under my legislation, Indiana would direct existing and dedicated funds already set aside for similar projects to a new Quality-of-Life Initiative Grant. Local communities would seek input from residents and develop a project plan before applying for grant funding. Counties, cities and towns would be required to provide a 25 percent or 50 percent funding match, based on their population size, for the total cost of the project.
Indiana can and should do more to encourage partnerships with our rural communities to ensure their viability today and for many years to come. House Bill 1303 would be a positive step forward, and I'll continue to work on this issue and others that will help our area. To track this bill, watch the committee hearings and follow the legislative process, visit iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Kendell Culp (R-Rensselaer) represents House District 16,
which includes portions of Jasper, Pulaski, Starke and White counties.
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