Stellar Communities Designation Program Finalists Announced

The finalists for the 2017 Stellar Communities Designation Program were announced early Thursday morning.

The Town of Culver was selected a finalist for the second consecutive year. Finalist communities are divided into two different categories based on population for the designation award. Culver will be placed into Division 2 which is for communities that have a population of 5,999 or less. Culver will compete against the Town of Churubusco in Whitley County and the City of Union City in Randolph County.

Culver Town Manager Jonathan Leist said the town will be revising its Strategic Investment Plan, updating project plans, and working on renovation plans for the Culver movie theater which is new to the application this year. Plans will continue for last year’s major projects listed in the application which include the Sand Hill Farms workforce housing development, Lake Maxinkuckee Bike and Pedestrian Trail, and Culver Beach Lodge.

Just for being a Stellar Communities finalist, Culver will receive a planning grant to create or build upon existing local projects.

The Stellar Communities Designation Program supports community planning and development initiatives by streamlining access to available funding sources and capacity building programs.

Site visits will be conducted by the Stellar Communities Team which is comprised of representatives from partnering agencies. A finalist in each division will be announced later this summer.