Collaborative Effort to Establish the Community’s Vision and Comprehensive Plan
October 21, 2020, WABASH COUNTY INDIANA– A team of elected and appointed officials, civic leaders, and
organizations is launching an innovative, comprehensive planning process for the five incorporated communities
of Wabash County. The plan, called Imagine One 85, is prompted by Wabash County’s steady and alarming
decline in population that threatens school funding, industry and job growth, economic development and
competitive wages, the availability of retail and professional services, and home values. Together, leaders and
citizens from all sectors of the county will develop a bold, comprehensive plan for the growth and prosperity of
the entire county and the incorporated communities of La Fontaine, Lagro, North Manchester, Roann and
Wabash.
The first community involvement opportunity – Focus on the Future Community Workshops – will take place
during the week of November 9 with in-person meetings planned in each of the county’s incorporated cities and
towns. This round of engagement will also include virtual events and special stakeholder sessions. Registration is
not required but appreciated for all events and is available at www.imagineone85.org. To ensure the safety of
participants and event volunteers, all events will adhere to strict safety protocols outlined by the Indiana
Department of Health.
The workshops will begin with a brief presentation from the planning team on the county’s most important
conditions and trends. Attendees will be asked to share their thoughts and ideas about the future of their
community and Wabash County overall. This input will be used as foundation blocks for the Comprehensive
Plan.
“Imagine One 85 is our opportunity – as a committed network of communities – to stem the
tide of population decline. This is THE issue for our county and its inheritors. We have to
work together to build great places, expand opportunities and improve livability for our
residents. We have a great opportunity to chart this path with Imagine One 85 through an
unprecedented co-funded initiative between the Community Foundation of Wabash County,
Grow Wabash County and Lilly Endowment Inc.”
-Patty Grant, Executive Director, The Community Foundation of Wabash County