About HCIHometown Collaboration InitiativeHCI2_cac77b0e-6148-11e8-8190-2bebf5613715Indiana CommunitiesIndiana communities that are: * Committed to building on their existing assets. * Have a population of 25,000 residents or less (community definition may include one or more city, town, or county.) * Willing to invest $5,000 into HCI.ALBION, INANGOLA, INAUBURN, INBREMEN, INBROWN COUNTY, INCORYDON, INCRAWFORD COUNTY, INCUMBERLAND, INDECATUR, INLEBANON, INLOGANSPORT, INORANGE COUNTY, INPERRY COUNTY, INPULASKI COUNTY, INRUSH COUNTY, INSEYMOUR, INSPENCER COUNTY, INVERMILLION COUNTY, INWASHINGTON, INHCI PartnersHCI program partners include Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, Purdue University and Ball State University.Indiana Office of Community and Rural AffairsPurdue UniversityBall State UniversityEnergized communities_cac77c12-6148-11e8-8190-2bebf5613715To provide building blocks for energizing communities_cac77ca8-6148-11e8-8190-2bebf5613715CollaborationA key principle of HCI is community-wide collaboration. HCI is unique from other community development programs in that the local Coordinating Team is strategically designed to represent each sector and demographic group in your community.LearningThroughout HCI, skilled and experienced facilitators and trainers from Purdue University, Ball State University and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs will present learning modules that present community development principles in an interactive and engaging learning environment.AssessmentThe Foundation Phase focuses on introducing assessment tools to discover your community’s needs and assets. These assessment tools include community-wide surveys, community forums and asset discovery.ImplementationAfter assessing your community and learning about community development strategies and tools, your team will choose a Building Block targeted to grow your community in either Leadership, Placemaking or Economy.SustainabilityDuring the Pathway Phase, your team will execute a Pathway Project designed at creating long-term community changes.LeadershipDevelop a new generation of leaders_cac77d2a-6148-11e8-8190-2bebf56137151Why is Leadership Important? Leadership underlies the ability of a community to shape its own future, to create positive change. When we think of leadership, many people may think first of elected leaders or people in positions of power. While effective leadership at that level is important, strong communities are built by many people with effective leadership skills making a difference in our families, our schools, our businesses and organizations. HCI focuses on developing community leadership capacity. It broadens and deepens our view of leadership, in which people with the desire, skills, and knowledge to lead are broadly diffused throughout all segments of the community.EngagementEngage more residents in civic activities_cac77db6-6148-11e8-8190-2bebf56137151.1CapacityIncrease capacity to accomplish community goals_cac77e42-6148-11e8-8190-2bebf56137151.2Young LeadersDevelop pool of youth and young adult leaders needed to build quality places_cac77ece-6148-11e8-8190-2bebf56137151.3Young LeadersBoards & CommitteesAssess needs of current boards and committees_cac77f64-6148-11e8-8190-2bebf56137151.4Local BoardsLocal CommitteesCommunity LeadershipBuild or grow a Community Leadership program for adults and/or youth_cac77ff0-6148-11e8-8190-2bebf56137151.5AdultsYouthProjectsCarry out a community project, employing leadership skills and relationships_cac7807c-6148-11e8-8190-2bebf56137151.6VisioningEngage youth and young adults in a community visioning process_cac78112-6148-11e8-8190-2bebf56137151.7YouthYoung AdultsPlacemakingInvest in places_cac781a8-6148-11e8-8190-2bebf56137152Indiana CitiesIndiana TownsHow Can Placemaking Transform My Community? Talent, or human capital, is the single most important element of local community economic development. To remain viable in a rapidly changing economy, communities must invest in holistic efforts to improve quality of place -- a precursor to developing, attracting and retaining human capital. The success of Indiana's cities and towns depends, in part, on effectively embracing placemaking opportunities related to arts and cultural integration, community design and central city revitalization, community well-being, educational excellence, municipal governance and readiness for change.LearningLearn more about the importance of investing in place, gaining historical perspective, examining research and discovering best practices_cac7823e-6148-11e8-8190-2bebf56137152.1AlignmentAlign community capitals assets identified during the Foundation Phase with the six key areas of placemaking_cac78306-6148-11e8-8190-2bebf56137152.2PathwaysIdentify a placemaking path, selecting a program track to address specific needs or opportunities_cac783a6-6148-11e8-8190-2bebf56137152.3Small Businesses & EntrepreneursGrow small businesses & entrepreneurs_cac7843c-6148-11e8-8190-2bebf56137153Small BusinessesEntrepreneursHow Are Existing Economic Resources Key to a Stable and Growing Economy? One of the best economic development strategies that all communities can pursue is to focus on the resources that are already present in their hometown. The key ingredients to economic stability and growth include:ConnectionsConnect cities and towns for the purpose of building a coordinated economic development plan_cac784e6-6148-11e8-8190-2bebf56137153.1CitiesTownsRegionsAssetsDiscover the key assets already in place in your hometown, such as small businesses, industries, and proprietors_cac78590-6148-11e8-8190-2bebf56137153.2Small BusinessesIndustriesProprietorsExamine the economic resources and opportunities that exist in your community and regionStrategiesIncorporate a diversity of economic development strategies, such as entrepreneurship and the retention and growth of existing enterprises_cac78630-6148-11e8-8190-2bebf56137153.3HighlightingHighlight retention, expansion and entrepreneurship as important aspects of your economic development strategies_cac787c0-6148-11e8-8190-2bebf56137153.3.1IdentificationIdentify ways to cultivate retention, expansion and entrepreneurship in your community and region_cac7886a-6148-11e8-8190-2bebf56137153.3.22018-05-26http://indianahci.org/about.phpOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net