Wabash County, IN (Feb. 21, 2022) – Grow Wabash County’s fifth annual State of Our
Communities event on Thursday, Feb. 17, saw representatives from each Wabash County
community setting intentions to help Wabash County grow in a variety of ways in 2022 and
beyond.
The community speakers featured were: John Khrin from the Town of LaFontaine, Kristie
Bone from the Town of Lagro, Jim Smith from the Town of North Manchester, Bob Ferguson
from the Town of Roann, Mayor Scott Long from the City of Wabash and Barry Eppley from
the Wabash County Commissioners.
Tenille Zartman, vice president of Grow Wabash County, emceed this year’s event and
reflected on the progress of the first ever county-wide comprehensive plan, now known as
Imagine One 85. Zartman emphasized that planning on this scale, bringing all the incorporated
communities together alongside the county, is rarely done and is a once in a generational
opportunity to intentionally create a map to grow our future. Zartman shared some of the
key themes that have emerged throughout the public engagement process and that in its final
form, that will be released soon, the comprehensive plan will include a series of technical
studies that illustrate the needs of the county and a robust action agenda to bring about
change.
“Every year I walk out of this event feeling energized,” Zartman said during opening remarks.
“And I am confident that today’s event will likewise evoke those similar feelings of
empowerment and pride to call the communities of Wabash County home because today, we
will hear from a group of dedicated leaders from across the county talk about everything their
communities have been working on – their triumphs, challenges, and hopes for the future.”
Many of the presentations from the speakers reflected on the hard work their communities
put into building a new, beautiful future for Wabash County. New projects to address housing,
promote entrepreneurship and, of course, countywide population growth, left the audience
excited about what 2022 holds for Wabash County and the importance of everyone doing
their part to support and promote this growth and renewal.
“We have to leave things better [in Wabash County] than we found it,” Bob Ferguson, clerk-
treasurer for Roann, said during his presentation. “Everyone in this room has a part to play.
We have to put the [Imagine One85] plan into motion.”
We are thankful to all of the local companies and individuals that showed their support for
this annual event by signing on as event sponsors.
This year’s Breakfast sponsors include: Arc of Wabash County, Brian Haupert for
Commissioner, Duke Energy, Manchester University and MPS Egg Farms.
Gold sponsors for this event included: Bippus State Bank, Bowen Center, Crossroads Bank, G6
Communications, Josiah White’s, Pathfinder Services, Pro Resources Staffing Services, Town of
North Manchester, Wabash County YMCA
Silver sponsors for this event included: American Structurepoint, Beacon Credit Union,
Community Foundation of Wabash County, First Farmers Bank & Trust, Miller’s Merry Manor,
Redemption Development, LLC, Regional Chamber of Northeast Indiana, Visit Wabash County
Bronze sponsors for this event included: B. Walter & Co., Groups Recover Together, Intertech
Products, Inc., Lundquist Appraisals & Real Estate, NIPSCO, SRT Aluminum, Star Excavating,
Wabash Carnegie Public Library, Wabash County Museum
Copper sponsors for this event included: Pettit Printing, TTG Equipment