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MIKE GOEBEL Won the Democrat Caucus

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Mike Goebel was caucused into the Vanderburgh County Commission on February 3, 2024.  Goebel will resign from his seat as an At-Large member of the Vanderburgh County Council effective immediately, and he will be sworn in as Commissioner on February 5.  Goebel had been elected to serve on County Council for 5 terms.  Mike has entered the election race for District 1 Commissioner in November.

Mike Goebel is a lifelong resident of Southern Indiana and a graduate of Mater Dei High School. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Studies from USI (ISUE).  He received his Master’s Degree in History from Indiana State University.  Goebel thoroughly enjoys teaching government and history at Mater Dei High School where he served as Social Studies Department Chairman for 17 years. Goebel has also been fortunate to coach IHSAA state championship teams in the sports of football and wrestling.
Mike’s wife, Melanie, teachers at Holy Rosary School.  Mike and Melanie have been nominated for the “Outstanding Educator of the Year Award” sponsored by the Evansville Courier and Press and the University of Evansville numerous times.
Mike stated that serving as a Vanderburgh County Councilman has been both challenging and fulfilling.  He intends to stay true to his record of working for the good of all residents of Vanderbugh County.  Goebel supports law enforcement, first responders, increased spending on road and bridge expansion and maintenance.  He wholeheartedly supports the installation of fiber optic broadband to all Vanderburgh County residents, the improvements of Burdette Park and other quality of life projects.  Goebel is proud of his record of being fiscally conservative while holding the line on taxes.
Mike added that he is grateful to former Commissioner Ben Shoulders for his 8 years of service, and Mike wishes Ben the very best as he enters his new position in the private sector.

He was also named Football Coach of the Year at Mater Dei.

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has named Mike Goebel the 2022-2023 National Football Coach of the Year.

Celebrating Black History Month

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In honor of February being Black History Month, we decided to highlight the impact and influence of a some community leaders that are not only representing and uplifting black culture and history, but using their platform to unite, educate and foster permanent change in their respective communities. We look forward to sharing these stories with you!

 

CreatINg Places: Bringing Our Seats to the Table

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Jam

We kick off this series with the Founder and Executive Director of Teena’s Legacy, Jamika Smith.

A random visual in a neighborhood alley sparked what would become a realized vision. As a child, per the instruction of her grandmother (Teena), Jamika and her siblings were sent out to “dumpster dive” and find things to salvage. Her grandmother believed in self-sufficiency and her vision for her family was for them to tap into their natural gifts and use them to start their own business and leave a legacy for their children.
Kid

Jamika soon realized the value of bringing things back to life and putting it back in place as an asset. A chaise that was pulled from off the street became the catalyst for what we know today as Teena’s Legacy, a not-for-profit organization located in Lake County.

The CreatINg Places project campaign sought to raise $5,000, matched by another $5,000 from IHCDA, to begin the process of advocating and educating through upholstery. Where fabric seemed worn out and not worth saving, there was a vision of opportunity and growth. The project, Bringing Our Seats to the Table, focusing on re-upholstering old furniture while promoting economic growth, practical tools, life skills and self-discovery. This is truly a widespread community effort that has forged connections with a wide range of people, regardless of age, gender, or cultural background. Black History is embraced in a way that allows all to be vessels of a common message of unity while remembering and honoring the path that has been paved by our ancestors.
Teen

On Saturday, February 3, 2024, the Bringing Our Seats to the Table exhibit, specifically titled Blooming Out of Our Trauma, will be featured at the Marshall J. Gardner Center for the Arts located in the Miller Beach Arts & Creative District in Gary, Indiana. The concept behind it is capturing stories from different era in Black History dating from the 1400s to today. Through re-upholstered chairs and unique art displays, you will learn about the birth of slavery, the Atlantic Slave Trade, Jim Crow, the Civil Rights Movement, Freedom Riders and more.

Be on the lookout for a more detailed story in an upcoming issue of IHCDA…the Magazine.

Point-In-Time Count

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Last week Indiana’s annual statewide homeless census, or Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, took place through the efforts of hundreds of volunteers, service providers, street outreach teams, IHCDA staff, and other dedicated Hoosiers. The Indiana Balance of State Continuum of Care and IHCDA want to thank those dedicated individuals who crisscrossed the state to ensure that some of our most vulnerable residents were counted and assisted when possible. 

The results will be published in July, after the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Team analyzes the data and submits it to HUD for approval. For historical results and data on the PIT Count, as well other available data, please visit the HMIS Data Portal. 

ECP

The East Chicago Police Department participated for the first time in the count. In this picture they were discussing the locations they were going to canvas to then meet at the Salvation Army in East Chicago.

abby

Abby Johnson, NWICCA, is giving volunteers information on how to complete the survey. There were over 40 volunteers who met at the Calumet center in Gary to get direction from Abby and go to the communities to do the count.

VA

Volunteers from the Veterans Administration Department load their car with care packages, clothes, and other donations for people experiencing homelessness.

Lady Blazers cruise after first quarter scoring run to Region 24 win over Rend Lake

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VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University Lady Trailblazers closed out the weekend with a bang at the Physical Education Complex, riding a 20-0 first quarter scoring run to a big 113-53 victory over Rend Lake College Saturday night.

The Lady Blazers got the night started off strong, using an early 20-0 scoring run to break out to a 25-2 lead in the first quarter.

VU would close out the first quarter leading the Lady Warriors 33-5.

The Vincennes defense continued to apply pressure in the second quarter, using a 10-0 scoring run to build a 43-6 advantage and heading into the locker room break leading 58-17.

The second half had a very similar feel, after Rend Lake scored the first basket of the third quarter, VU used a 13-0 scoring run to lead 71-19.

After the Blazers led 84-29 going into the fourth quarter, the Lady Warriors looked to make a last push, scoring the first five points of the fourth quarter, before the Blazers completely sealed the game away with a 17-0 scoring run to lead 103-36.

Rend Lake played the game out strong until the final buzzer, ending the game by outscoring Vincennes 17-10.

Vincennes ultimately came out on top, cruising to a big 113-53 victory over the Lady Warriors, breaking the century mark in the score column for the fifth time this season.

VU had six of the nine active players score in double figures Saturday night, led by freshman Destinee Hooks (Indianapolis, Ind.) who tied her career high with 24 points, seven rebounds, six assists and five steals.

Freshman Giavonnie Belton (Indianapolis, Ind.) finished her night with 20 points off the bench. Connecting on four three-pointers and dishing out six assists on the night.

Freshman Karina Scott (Noblesville, Ind.) set a new career high with six made three-pointers on the night, giving her 18 points in the game to go along with five rebounds and three assists.

Sophomore Brie Miller (Bainbridge, Ind.) came off the bench to score in double figures, ending with 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Sophomore Elikya Baseyila (Paris, France) returned to the Trailblazer starting lineup and came away with her sixth double-double of the season and 18th double-double of her VU career, finishing with 12 points, 13 rebounds and four assists.

Sophomore Katrina Litte (Valmiera, Latvia) was the six VU scorer in double figures, ending with 10 points, six assists and four rebounds.

Sophomore Maycee Lange (Vincennes, Ind.) ended with seven points and six rebounds, while freshman Makyla Tucker ended with seven points and a pair of made threes.

No. 6/9 Indiana Produces Perfect Punctuation to Dual Meet Season Men Cruise, Women Set Three Program Standards to Defeat Ranked Foes

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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – No. 6/9 Indiana men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams will both head into championship season undefeated at 8-0 in dual meets after statement victories against No. 15/8 Louisville and No. 22/14 Wisconsin on Friday (Feb. 2) inside the Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center.

Notably, the No. 9-ranked IU women upset No. 8 Louisville 181-119 and soundly took care of Wisconsin 205-95. The Hoosier women set three program records and won 10 events – including both relays – to clinch their first undefeated dual meet season since 2006-07 (5-0).

“We’ve been working really hard, and this is the best group of people,” IU head swimming coach Ray Looze said. “It’s a really tight team. They have each other’s back, and it’s starting to permeate into the results in a positive and stubborn way. That’s nice to see.”

The Hoosiers were once again dominant on the diving boards, sweeping the springboards. IU’s women had the top three finishers on both boards, with Anne Fowler continuing her late run of exceptional diving by completing the double. On the 1-meter board, Fowler’s 328.43 placed above of freshman teammate Ella Rosselli’s 303.00 and junior Skyler Liu’s 296.48. Hoosiers had the top four scores on the women’s 3-meter, led by Fowler’s 381.45, Liu’s 349.80, freshman Lily Witte’s 318.23 and Rossellis’ 317.18.

“We swept both boards, and, as normal, Anne Fowler was awesome,” assistant diving coach Eric Best said. “Anne was just dialed-in and diving great. I think we’re in a really good position going into the postseason.”

Despite missing juniors Carson Tyler and Quinn Henninger to World Aquatics Championships competition, Indiana’s male divers also completed the double via sophomore Maxwell Weinrich. Weinrich had personal bests on each board, a 388.13 on 1-meter and 428.93 on 3-meter.

“Max lit it up on both boards with two personal bests,” Best said. “The inward 3 1/2 that he did was absolutely amazing, somewhere around 80 or 90 points. It was just a huge meet for Max.”

Indiana set the tone in the first event of the day, the 200-yard medley relay. Juniors Kacey McKenna and Brearna Crawford, sophomore Chiok Sze Yeo and senior Ashley Turak posted a 1:35.86 as Turak out-touched Louisville’s Gabi Albiero by two hundredths. McKenna’s 23.93 leadoff was the difference as the Cardinals made up ground on each of the final three legs. Senior Brendan Burns (21.49 split), junior Finn Brooks (22.62), and seniors Tomer Frankel (19.74) and Gavin Wight (19.03) had no issues in the men’s event, setting the fourth-best time in the country this season.

Junior Ching Hwee Gan kept IU’s momentum going in the 1,000-yard freestyle, winning by 71 hundredths in 9:30.07 – the No. 3-best time nationally. Her mark also beat her own program record (9:30.71) previously set during her silver medal performance at the 2023 NCAA Championships. Gan was steady, with all 20 splits sitting beneath 29 seconds including a 27.34 final 50 yards. The junior from Singapore would close strong in the 500 free as well, her 26.56 final 50 good enough to catch Wisconsin’s Abby Carlson – the reigning Big Ten Champion and national runner-up – and win in 4:40.30.

IU would go back-to-back women’s events with program records. Fellow junior Anna Peplowksi may have posted the time of the meet with a 1:42.20 in the 200-yard freestyle. That time would have won the NCAA title last season and ranks No. 3 this season. Peplowski now owns the top five times in program history.

The Hoosiers would string together four consecutive event victories, as junior Rafael Miroslaw completed the sweep of the 200 free in 1:32.55, McKenna posted a personal best 51.33 in the women’s 100 back and Burns (45.91) and junior Luke Barr (46.25) managed a 1-2 finish in the corresponding men’s race.

The men would win their next two events as well. Perhaps the most eye-popping men’s time, Brooks won the 100-yard breaststroke in 51.34, the No. 3 time in the nation this season, despite not having raced the individual event since the 2022 CSCAA National Invitational Championship – when he went 56.23. Brooks, however, did split a 52.99 during a relay versus Kentucky, and has since posted 50-yard relay splits of 24.18, 23.12 and 23.02 this season before a personal best 22.62 split during the medley relay Friday. Following Brooks, Burns captured his second of three individual wins in the 200-yard butterfly with a time of 1:40.78.

Sophomore Kristina Paegle got Indiana’s women back in the win column in the 50-yard freestyle, touching in 21.84. Her time marks the No. 3 mark in program history after she set the record at midseason in 21.76.

After falling in the 50-yard freestyle by a tenth of a second, IU’s men would win four of its next five events. In the 100-yard freestyle, Tomer Frankel (42.19) and Gavin Wight (42.96) led the way. The very next event, the 200 back, IU went 1-2 again via Burns (1:40.04) and junior Kai van Westering (1:42.07). Yep continued his season-long success in the 200 breast, winning in 1:53.16, and, in the 100 fly, Brooks (45.67) and Frankel (45.76) again had IU in the top two positions.

Down the stretch, IU’s women earned important wins from Crawford in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:09.73) and fellow junior Anna Freed in the 400 IM, posting a personal-best 4:10.94.

Indiana’s women finished the afternoon emphatically, shattering another program standard in the 400-yard freestyle relay. When only one other swimmer had a split under 48 seconds, three Hoosiers did it to deliver the victory. Peplowski kicked things off in 47.82, giving way to Turak’s 47.91. Louisville took the lead on the third leg, out-splitting senior Ella Ristic 47.86-48.61 – still quicker than all but six opponents – to set up the final leg between two sophomores: UL’s Ella Welch and IU’s Paegle. On this day it could only end one way: Paegle was a second quicker than the Cardinal, dropping the fastest split of the afternoon in 47.03. IU’s quartet beat the program record by 1.02 seconds with a new best time of 3:11.37 – the No. 7 time in the country.

TEAM SCORES

Men

No. 6 Indiana 189, No. 15 Louisville 110

No. 6 Indiana 202, No. 22 Wisconsin 96

Women

No. 9 Indiana 181, No. 8 Louisville 119

No. 9 Indiana 205, No. 14 Wisconsin 95

HOOSIER WINNERS

Men

Finn Brooks – 200 medley relay (1:22.88), 100 breaststroke (51.34), 100 butterfly (45.67)

Brendan Burns – 200 medley relay (1:22.88), 100 backstroke (45.91), 200 butterfly (1:40.78), 200 backstroke (1:40.04)

Tomer Frankel – 200 medley relay (1:22.88), 100 freestyle (42.19)

Rafael Miroslaw – 200 freestyle (1:32.55)

Maxwell Weinrich – 1-meter (388.13), 3-meter (428.93)

Gavin Wight – 200 medley relay (1:22.88)

Jassen Yep – 200 breaststroke (1:53.16)

Women

Brearna Crawford – 200 medley relay (1:35.86), 200 breaststroke (2:09.73)

Anne Fowler – 3-meter (381.45), 1-meter (328.43)

Anna Freed – 400 IM (4:10.94)

Ching Hwee Gan – 1,000 freestyle (9:30.07), 500 freestyle (4:40.30)

Kacey McKenna – 200 medley relay (1:35.86), 100 backstroke (51.33)

Kristina Paegle – 50 freestyle (21.84)

Anna Peplowski – 200 freestyle (1:42.20)

Asshley Turak – 200 medley relay (1:35.86)

Chiok Sze Yeo – 200 medley relay (1:35.86)

NCAA CUTS

A: Men’s 200 medley relay (1:35.86); Women’s 200 medley relay (1:22.88); Anna Peplowski – 200 free (1:42.20).

B: Luke Barr – 100 back (46.25); Finn Brooks – 100 breast (51.34); Brendan Burns – 100 back (45.91), 200 back (1:40.04); 200 fly (1:40.78); Brearna Crawford – 200 breast (2:09.73); Mya DeWitt – 100 back (52.35), 200 back (1:55.75); Katie Forrester – 200 fly (1:57.14); Tomer Frankel – 100 free (42.19); Anna Freed – 200 back (1:55.24), 200 fly (1:56.98); Ching Hwee Gan – 500 free (4:40.30); Lily Hann – 200 fly (1:57.81); Elyse Heiser – 200 free (1:46.37); Mikkel Lee – 50 free (19.46); Josh Matheny – 100 breast (53.50), 200 breast (1:56.54); Kacey McKenna – 100 back (51.33); Rafael Miroslaw – 200 free (1:32.55); Kristina Paegle – 50 free (21.84), 200 free (1:45.46); Anna Peplowski – 200 back (1:54.50); Maxwell Reich – 100 breast (53.31), 200 breast (1:56.18); Ella Ristic – 200 free (1:46.09); Ashley Turak – 50 free (22.17); Kai van Westering – 200 back (1:42.07); Armando Vegas – 200 fly (1:43.37); Ava Whitaker – 200 fly (1:58.13); Gavin Wight – 50 free (19.75), 100 free (42.96); Jassen Yep – 100 breast (52.10), 200 breast (1:53.16)

NCAA ZONE QUALIFYING SCORES

1-meter: Anne Fowler (328.43), Skyler Liu (296.48), Ella Rosselli (303.00), Maxwell Weinrich (388.13)

3-meter: Anne Fowler (381.45), Skyler Liu (349.80), Ella Rosselli (318.23), Maxwell Weinrich (428.93), Lily Witte (318.23)

UP NEXT

Indiana is sending 11 athletes and coaches to Doha, Qatar, to compete in the World Aquatics Championships this month. Domestically, the Hoosiers are also preparing for championship season, starting with the Big Ten Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships from February 28-March 2.

 

Indiana Educator Fellowship for Creative Teaching

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Educator Recognition and Professional Development Program

Teachers are some of our state’s best creative problem solvers and innovators. Great educators take risks, learn, reflect, and collaborate. Those same attributes are the building blocks of creativity. The Indiana Educator Fellowship for Creative Teaching was created to celebrate and support outstanding educators to expand classroom teaching through creativity.

Research shows creative teaching strategies, also known as arts integration, improve student engagement, student learning retention, and student literacy skills. The Indiana Educator Fellowship for Creative Teaching supports educators with robust training, funding, and a community of experts to inspire and implement creativity-centered innovation in the classroom. 

If selected for the program, Creative Teaching Fellows receive: 

  • Three days of immersive training in creativity and connections to standards 
  • Access to a fully funded in-school creative arts residency 
  • Support from community creative partners, experts, and professionals 
  • Membership in a statewide community of energetic, innovative, educators 
  • A $1,000 honoraria

  • Fully Funded in-School Creative Arts Residencies

    After exploring what creativity in education can be in theory
    during the summer training, all Creative Teaching Fellows will collaborate with their Community Arts Partner to bring a professional, in-person artist residency in their classroom in the Fall semester to see the work in a
    real classroom setting.

     

Vanderburgh County Commissioners Announce Name Dedication and  Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for Burdette Park’s Playground 

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EVANSVILLE, IN — February 1, 2024 — The Vanderburgh County Commissioners are excited to announce they will hold a name dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for one of Burdette Park’s recently completed playgrounds. This event is scheduled to take place on Monday, February 5, 2024, at the playground located by the lake in the center of the park. 

Media representatives are cordially invited to join in commemorating this occasion. 

Event Information: 

What: Burdette Park Playground Name Dedication and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony 

When: February 5, 2024 

Where: Burdette Park – 5301 Nurrenbern Rd., Evansville, IN 47712 (by lake in center of park) 

Time: 12:00 p.m. 

Hoosier History Highlights

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February 4 – February 10

This Week in Indiana History
colts

February 4, 2007 The Indianapolis Colts won Super Bowl XLI in Miami, defeating the Chicago Bears, 29-17.

February 6, 1962 William Bruce Rose was born in Lafayette, Indiana. At age 20, he moved to California, changed his name to Axl Rose, and in 1985 formed the band “Guns and Roses.”

Axl Rose
IU 1901 February 8, 1901 Indiana University competed in its first official basketball game. One hundred fans traveled with the team by train to Indianapolis to play Butler, which won by the score of 20 to 17.

James Dean, actor and cultural icon, born in Marion, IN.

Dean
February 9, 1982  President Ronald Reagan spoke to legislators in the Indiana House of Representatives.  The topic was his new federalism policy which would return authority in some areas back to the states. Reagan in IN
Greentown Glass The Indiana Tumbler and Goblet Company was incorporated in Greentown, Indiana. The factory was destroyed by fire in 1903 and today the many beautiful pieces of “Greentown Glass” are highly prized.

Our Where in Indiana? from last week was taken in Farmland, Randolph County.

Red Gold  

Where in Indiana?

Do you know where this photograph was taken?

Visit us on Instagram to submit your answer.

Feb 4

Follow us on Instagram: @instatehousetouroffice

Indiana Statehouse Tour Office

Indiana Department of Administration

Guided Tours of the Indiana Statehouse are offered Monday through Saturday.  For more information, contact us.

(317) 233-5293
Estanley@idoa.in.gov

Statehouse Virtual Tour

Indiana Quick Quiz

1.In what Indiana city did Elwood Haynes build some of the first automobiles?

2. The oldest chapter in the world of this fraternity can be found at Indiana University. Name the fraternity.?

3. Indiana University Southeast is found in what city?

4. What is the oldest university in Indiana?

Answers Below

For more activities

             in IN

https://www.visitindiana.com/

Answers

1. Kokomo

2. Sigma Chi

3. New Albany

4. Vincennes University (Founded in 1801)

USI to host second annual Be a Teacher Day

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The University of Southern Indiana’s Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education is hosting its second annual Be a Teacher Day on Wednesday, February 28 on the USI campus. The event will highlight the importance of the profession of education, allow students to meet current teaching professionals and teacher education students, as well as ask questions about the profession. The day will kick off with a staggered check in for Eastern and Central time zone schools from 8 to 9:20 a.m. at the Fuquay Welcome Center and then move to the USI Performance Center. Registration is open through February 14.

The event will include a panel discussion with a superintendent, a principal, a special education teacher, a first-year teacher, and current USI teacher education students; a keynote presentation; a major matching event; a classroom experience; and a tour of campus.

Last year’s event was a huge success, drawing more than 350 high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors from the Tri-state area. USI’s Teacher Education Department was thrilled with the outpouring of interest and is looking to provide prospective students with a unique, engaging experience.

“Last year’s event exceeded our expectations, drawing students who were genuinely excited about education,” says Dr. Tori Colson, Assistant Dean of the Pott College and Interim Chair of Teacher Education. “We’re confident this year’s event will surpass that success with a full day of engaging activities to spark student interest in the teaching profession.”

The keynote presentation this year will be given by Hal Bowman, a speaker, author and thought leader in revolutionizing classroom and campus culture. Bowman was a former teacher who spent over two decades in the classroom and now works to help teachers and school leaders create the most effective environment for student success and teacher retention. “Hal Bowman is an inspiration to educators across the country and will impart a hunger for teaching in these aspiring educators,” says Dr. William Elliott, Interim Dean of the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education.

USI’s Teacher Education Department offers a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science through the following majors:

  • Early childhood education
  • Elementary education
  • Special education

The teacher education minor in secondary/P-12 education may accompany any of the following majors to prepare discipline-specific teachers:

  • English teaching
  • History teaching
  • Mathematics teaching
  • Science teaching
  • Earth/space science, chemistry, life science, physical science, physics
  • World languages and cultures teaching (P-12)
  • Physical education (P-12)
  • Visual arts teaching (P-12)

Be a Teacher Day is made possible through generous support of the USI Foundation.

Eagles rebound with 7-0 win over Saints

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Doubles: The Screaming Eagles secured the doubles decision point after sweeping all three opponents. Sophomore partners Axel Sabourin (Marseille, France)/Mathys Bove (Lyon, France) stood tall at number one with a 6-2 win while the combination of junior Guy Finkelstein (Lehavim, Israel)/freshman Eytan Michaeli (Beer Sheva, Israel) took care of business in the three hole with a 7-6 win to seal the point. Wrapping up doubles play was the junior Quinten Gillespie (Whiteland, Indiana)/senior Dylan Brown (Evansville, Indiana) duo who squeezed past their foes in the second flight, 7-5.
 
Singles: All Eagles soared in singles play against the Saints with five of the six flights winning in just two sets. Gillespie started it off at number four with a 6-4, 6-3 decision before Bove captured a 6-4, 6-4 win at number three. In close fashion, Sabourin took down his opponent at number one (7-6, 6-1) before Michaeli needed three sets and a pair of tiebreakers to score the point for USI (7-6, 6-7, 1-0). Closing out the dominant evening was Brown’s 6-2, 6-0 win at number five before junior Blake Deaton (Indianapolis, Indiana) scored a 6-3, 6-4 decision in the six spot.
 

$6.7 million in grants available to strengthen food supply chain infrastructure

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The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) announced it has a cooperative agreement with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) under the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI). Through this agreement, the two entities are working together to offer over $6.7 million in competitive grant funding for projects designed to build resilience across the middle of the supply chain.

The purpose of this program is to improve food supply resilience in the middle of the food chain through increasing distribution, aggregation, storage capacity, market expansion and facility updates/expansions. Following federal guidance, the project performance period will be June 2024 through May 2027. Applicants must demonstrate how this project will improve resilience in the middle of the food chain.

“These grants are critical to ensuring the security of our food supply,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Federal partners like USDA-AMS are a wonderful asset to Indiana and to agriculture. I am excited to see Hoosier businesses expand with these grants.”

The purpose of this program is to improve food supply resilience in the middle of the food chain through increasing distribution, aggregation, storage capacity, market expansion and facility updates/expansions. Following federal guidance, the project performance period will be June 2024 through May 2027. Applicants must demonstrate how this project will improve resilience in the middle of the food chain.

“Our Hoosier farmers, producers, agribusinesses and consumers need a steady food supply chain system. We are grateful that USDA recognized this need in Indiana and across the country and continue to work with us to enhance our middle of the food chain businesses,” said Don Lamb, Indiana State Department of Agriculture director. “These grants will go a long way in ensuring rural vitality and success for our small and mid-sized producers, processors as well as Hoosier consumers.”

WHO IS ELIGIBLE:

Indiana businesses and producers that work in the middle of the food chain sector, defined as “from the farm gate to the end retail market” or the processing and aggregation/distribution sector of the food chain. Eligible product ideas could include, but are not limited to, creating a produce packing line, value added dairy and egg products, establishing/expanding a co-packing facility or building a commercial kitchen.

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