PLAN PROCESS

The process to create this resiliency and recovery plan began when the EDA announced the CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant program in mid-2020. The application window opened on May 7, 2020. Applications were awarded on a rolling basis. The Indiana 15 Regional Planning Commission was awarded a $400,000 grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by developing strategies to become more resilient. A portion of the grant was used to obtain professional consultant assistance for the creation of this plan.

IND15RPC advertised a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) later in 2020, with qualifications submissions due by December 14, 2020. After interviewing qualified consultants, IND15RPC selected the planning team of Indianapolis-based Rundell Ernstberger Associates and the multi-national firm AECOM to facilitate the creation of the resiliency and recovery plan.

The formal planning process kicked off with a meeting between IND15RPC staff and members of the consultant team on March 25, 2021. After which, the project was introduced to the Board of Directors of the IND15RPC on April 27, 2021.

A series of targeted focus group meetings was also conducted early in the process. These meetings occurred virtually on May 25, 2021, and included such groups as elected, appointed, and local economic development leaders from each county; community foundations; community service providers; agricultural groups; medical and healthcare providers; school corporations and educational institutions; workforce development organizations; emergency management agencies; small business owners; tourism industry leaders; and transportation professionals. A second round of focus group meetings occurred in early November 2021 and they were also virtual.

Following the early outreach and engagement efforts, a project task force was established. This task force included IND15RPC staff, as well as representatives from member counties, cities, towns, educational institutions, local economic development organizations, and other key stakeholders. The first task force meeting occurred on June 28, 2021. The task force met periodically throughout the planning process to identify opportunities and current issues in the study area; confirm analysis and engagement results; provide direction regarding plan vision, pillars, goals, and strategies; and prioritize implementation recommendations. These meetings were conducted in person at the IND15RPC office as well as virtually on Zoom.

An online survey was distributed to residents and business owners across the IND15RPC region. The survey was open for eight weeks, from late August 2021 to late October 2021. The goals of the survey was to evaluate how residents and businesses were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to identify the

Following the early outreach and engagement efforts, a project task force was established. This task force included IND15RPC staff, as well as representatives from member counties, cities, towns, educational institutions, local economic development organizations, and other key stakeholders. The first task force meeting occurred on June 28, 2021. The task force met periodically throughout the planning process to identify opportunities and current issues in the study area; confirm analysis and engagement results; provide direction regarding plan vision, pillars, goals, and strategies; and prioritize implementation recommendations. These meetings were conducted in person at the IND15RPC office as well as virtually on Zoom.

An online survey was distributed to residents and business owners across the IND15RPC region. The survey was open for eight weeks, from late August 2021 to late October 2021. The goals of the survey was to evaluate how residents and businesses were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to identify the needs of the community. Questions focused on changes in employment, access to services, and additional assistance during the pandemic. In total, 323 people participated in the survey; a summary of results is included in Appendix A.

The planning process slowed between August and November of 2021 as the consultant team, IND15RPC staff, and many of the task force members were involved in the preparation of the aforementioned Indiana First Region READI plan. Following submission of the READI plan at the end of September and presentation of the plan to the IEDC in late November, activity for this resiliency plan subsequently increased, with monthly task force meetings in January, February, March, and April 2022. After reviewing the draft plan with the task force and IND15RPC Board of Directors, the plan was presented at a community summit on May 17, 2022, at the Ferdinand Community Center. It was then finalized and adopted by the Board of Directors on October 25, 2022.