Montgomery County, IN

Comprehensive Plan

The largest barrier to economic development in Montgomery County was the lack of County zoning. This made prospective businesses uncomfortable with what might happen to neighboring properties. However, there was resistance to zoning among some residents. HWC worked to build consensus on “common sense” zoning regulations, leading to the adoption of the County’s first Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance. With this key issue resolved, Montgomery County was able to attract $138 million in investment along with 300 new jobs.

Whitestown, IN

Comprehensive Plan

With development pressures increasing along the I-65 corridor and interchanges, the Town of Whitestown engaged HWC to assist in developing both an economic development strategy and a Comprehensive Plan update that shared a unified vision that promoted responsible growth that retained the character of the Town. This unified plan focused on developing new primary employment opportunities, engaging the I-65 corridor, diversifying the community’s industrial base, and growing a quality workforce.

Franklin, IN

Comprehensive Plan

HWC completed an update to the City’s 2002 Comprehensive Plan. This update focused on new opportunities and goals for future development within the City and supporting recent successful efforts at downtown revitalization. Major ideas identified during the plan included a renewed focus on core neighborhood revitalization, emphasis on improving aging infrastructure, continued reinvestment in downtown redevelopment, encouraging a broader mix of housing options, and developing the I-65 gateway corridor to maximize its full potential.

In 2015, our team completed the I-65 Economic Development Plan for Franklin with a focus to improve economic success of the community’s primary eastern gateway along I-65. The I-65 Interchange Economic Development Plan was intended to redevelop the interchange and create a dynamic gateway into the community. The planning process focused on 420 acres and included interchange-specific strategies and communitywide economic development goals.

Now complete, the gateway has resulted in new restaurants, retail, and commercial investment in the corridor totaling over $220 million.

Rushville, IN

Comprehensive Plan

 In 2013, Rushville’s Mayor, Michael Pavey, knew he needed a catalyst to spark major changes in his community. Rushville had approximately 6,000 residents, and its population had been in decline for decades. HWC was selected to lead a planning process that provided the spark Rushville needed at a time when it needed it most.

 With HWC’s help, the City asked residents and community stakeholders what they thought Rushville needed. Those ideas resulted in a Comprehensive Plan outlining specific steps to implement the community’s vision. Since acting on the plan and winning Stellar in 2016, Rushville has seen more than $460 million in federal, state, local, and private investment in the past seven years among 200 different projects. Rushville now proudly proclaims they are “Leading the Way in Rural Indiana.”

 In 2020, Rushville selected HWC to complete an update to the original Comprehensive Plan that helped the community experience a great deal of success. The updated plan brought together various groups and organizations to develop a common set of goals to help the community build on its recent success for many years to come.