aspirations  in  action

The Aspirations in Action Steering Committee was formed late in 2021 as an outgrowth of the Forward Thinking Leadership initiative.  It identified Broadband, Housing, Downtown Development, and Recreation/Tourism as key areas the Foundation should focus on for community impact.  Work has successfully launched in three of the four priority areas.   Read more...

  • BROADBAND

    A broadband network/high-speed internet positively impacts commerce, education, health and public safety, cultural enrichment, government operations, and aids in countless conveniences and efficiencies in our lives.  It is as critical to the future of economic growth as access to a telephone line.  


    "A big step for rural Pulaski County that will help unlock economic opportunity," said Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch in her comments at the Broadband Ready Celebration in Winamac in May.

  • housing

    Housing is economic development. Economic growth is optimized when we build enough of the housing that the talent we want to attract and retain can both afford and enjoy the place they choose to live.


    Take the online housing survey!  Share your input at https://www.yourhousingresource.org/pulaski


    Employers are invited to attend the Employer Assisted Housing webinar November 22 at 10 a.m. to find out how they can get involved in the Pulaski County Housing Strategy and help their workforce live closer to work.

  • downtown development

    Downtowns are the heart and soul of our communities.  They are also an indicator of economic health, partnership between the private and public sector, local quality of life, community pride and history.


    Following a Main Street 101 meeting in the spring, interested community members have formed a new entity, Main Street Winamac.  The group is formalizing its board and foundational documents to become an independent nonprofit.  Plans include hiring a coordinator in 2023 for the new organization.

  • recreation/tourism

    Pulaski County has many natural assets that could be leveraged to increase investment in our community. Over 30 stakeholders have been identified for potential formation of a Tourism Task Force. This area of aspiration will be revisited once the other initiatives are well underway.

WHIN Awards $50,000 Grant to cfpc

Wabash Heartland Innovation Network (WHIN) has awarded $50,000 to support the Forward Thinking Leadership Initiative and Aspirations in Action efforts. The initiatives align with WHIN’s mission to create thriving communities and set the stage for economic development and growth. Three areas of aspiration (Broadband, Housing, and Downtown Development) will benefit from the WHIN grant, including support for a Main Street Winamac director. 


Community foundations in the WHIN region have been partners in the WHIN project as it developed a unique model for regional development over the past several years. Funded initially with a Lilly Endowment Inc. grant, WHIN’s goal has been to cultivate a prosperous ecosystem that empowers globally-competitive businesses to plant and grow in the Wabash Heartland; and to make its region the global epicenter of digital agriculture and next-generation manufacturing, the Internet of Things (IoT).