Collaboration brings IU resources to bear for betterment of Dubois County

Have an idea for the betterment of Dubois County? Get it out there for consideration!

Last week, a collaboration between the county and the IU Center for Rural Engagment launched with the Sustaining Hoosier Communities initiative.

Through the collaboration, Dubois County residents are invited to take part in any of several upcoming community gatherings being held around the county to pitch their ideas for improving an aspect of Dubois County.

There really is no limit to the ideas that can be submitted, however, during the meetings, attendees will be given some guidance by a team from IU to help focus the brainstorming efforts. During the meeting, attendees not only submit ideas, they also point to people, groups and organizations within the community that can hopefully partner in the process to bring the projects to fruition.

The collaboration connects Dubois County to resources offered through IU including students dedicated to designing and roadmapping projects that can be matched to specific departments or courses of study at the university. 

This is the fifth year the program has been available. During the most recent collaboration with Washington County, the initiative identified several significant projects addressing specific needs in the community. These included preserving a historic mill, creating entrepreneurship and financial readiness programs, creating outdoor programs, and addressing homelessness in the county.

You can see more information about the Dubois County collaboration at the following link including dates and times of upcoming meetings occuring this week.

https://rural.indiana.edu/impact/shc/dubois-county/index.html

Community meetings to generate ideas, gather feedback and discuss possible projects and plans will be held throughout the county in February:

• Tuesday, February 22, 2022, 6:30-8 p.m. EST at the Ferdinand Community Center, Mobel Room, 1710 Community Drive, Ferdinand.
• Wednesday, February 23, 2022, 6:30-8 p.m. EST Old Town Hall, 309 N. Geiger Street, Huntingburg. This meeting will include Spanish interpretation.
• Thursday, February 24, 2022, 6:30-8 p.m. EST at the Parklands Pavilion, 800 West 15th Street, Jasper. This meeting will include Spanish interpretation.
• Friday, February 25, 2022, 12 to 1 p.m. Virtual through Zoom. Register here.

These meetings are open to the public. Residents are encouraged to attend any of the scheduled sessions for a full discussion and planning activities. Current public gathering policies for Indiana University will be observed; masks are required in indoor settings.

Residents can contact SHC Dubois County community committee co-coordinator Dennis Tedrow by email at dennis.tedrow@vinu.edu or by phone at (812) 482-3288 to share ideas and learn more about this partnership.