Denny Spinner named Jim Walton Community Impact Award recipient

Shared from ACCELERATION by design and the Stand Up Rural America Summit

Denny Spinner, Executive Director of Indiana University’s Center for Rural Engagement and former Huntingburg mayor, was named the Recipient of the 2025 Jim Walton Community Impact Award on July 30, 2025 at the 2025 Stand Up Rural America Summit held in Canyon, Texas.

During a long and dynamic career, Denny has been involved in every possible economic development facet at every level including industry recruitment, business expansion, small business development, quality of place projects, downtown revitalization, entrepreneurship and community development.

He continues to tell the stories of the cities, the businesses, the people, the land and their heritage and inspires them to take action. He is a big thinker, a dreamer and a doer. He has been a catalyst for tangible growth, both big and small. He has represented his Indiana region with great passion and commitment and has proven to be an outstanding partner, leader and voice for Rural America.

The award is named after Jim Walton, founder of Brand Acceleration, who was the consummate champion of Rural America. For his entire career he was the dreamer, the pusher, the instigator, and the believer for rural communities all across the USA. He epitomized the “can-do” spirit of those who live and work in Rural America. This award was designed to recognize other changemakers, trailblazers and catalysts who have gone above and beyond the norm to create positive change in their communities or regions. This honor is awarded annually at the Stand Up Rural America Summit to a deserving individual, team or organization who epitomizes Jim’s “going the extra mile is always worth it” attitude.

The individual, teams and organizations nominated for this award exemplified the following characteristics: Be a Champion of Rural America in words and actions; be a Catalyst for tangible growth in your community or region; be a Supporter of Economic Development, Community Development, Tourism Development, Workforce Development, Downtown Revitalization, Business Retention & Expansion or Entrepreneurship in your community or region; has gone “above and beyond” to create positive action and sustainable growth; and has displayed traits that are admirable, has honored the legacy of the community or region and is a proud Advocate for Rural America and all that it stands for.