Lt. Governor Eats Lunch with Local Republicans
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jennifer [email protected]
She also had lunch at Boathouse Restaurant, Winona Lake, with Kosciusko County republicans, and met with local city and county officials for a meeting.
The stop was part of her 92-county tour that will take place over the next 18 months titled “Hoosier Crossroads Tour.”
Skillman said the purpose of the tour is to meet with local government leaders, and talk about how to work together to better serve Hoosiers.
During the tour, Skillman will have discussions with government leaders throughout the state that will include possible ways the state can help local units of government deliver services more effectively and efficiently, in addition to ways to boost the local economy.
She said she plans to have recommendations to Governor Mitch Daniels by the end of this year prior to the 2012 legislative session.
The tour also includes visits to community projects that were funded by agencies Skillman directs.
Giverny Fitness Studio benefited from those funds when it received funding for renovations from the state’s Office of Community and Rural Affairs.
The building was purchased in fall 2008, and was renovated and opened in March 2009.
Before Giverny moved into the building, it was a vacant building. It also was previously Brennan’s Home Medical Building.
Giverny received a facade grant and low interest loan for building renovations at the end of 2008, according to Missy Cook, Giverny business manager.
The second and third floor was gutted, and upstairs bathrooms, and locker room facilities were added, and stairs were installed up to the third floor.
“We are very proud of this facility and proud of the way the renovations turned out and we are thrilled to have the lieutenant governor come and see what we are doing here,” Cook said.
Skillman said community development has been one of her passions as well as economic development.
“This is a great project to celebrate when you have refurbished an existing building and made this investment and it is a win-win on many fronts,” Skillman said.
She said with tough economic times statewide there are empty buildings.
“When other individuals and other small businesses see that they are willing to make an investment to take a risk and hire more people that gives other businesses the confidence to do so as well,” Skillman said.
She said that is why she likes to celebrate projects because it sends a very powerful message that there is confidence in the local and state economy and that Indiana is a great place to do business.
“This is a community that has great resources, but the best resources are the people because they have a can-do attitude,” Skillman said.
She said Giverny is the perfect example of the state’s private sector workforce.
“Our state’s economic health depends on how well our small businesses do, so it brings us great encouragement when we see entrepreneurs who take a risk, make an investment and hire more Hoosiers,” Skillman said.
Skillman said the tour has allowed her to have great conversations about efficiencies and partnerships between the state and local cities and towns.
Besides overseeing the Office of Community and Rural Affairs, she oversees the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, the Office of Energy Development, the Office of Tourism Development, and the State Department of Agriculture.
These agencies primarily aid communities through financial investments and other programs.
They have administered more than 1 billion in funding assistance for projects, such as housing developments, local governments' capital projects, and energy initiatives.[[In-content Ad]]
She also had lunch at Boathouse Restaurant, Winona Lake, with Kosciusko County republicans, and met with local city and county officials for a meeting.
The stop was part of her 92-county tour that will take place over the next 18 months titled “Hoosier Crossroads Tour.”
Skillman said the purpose of the tour is to meet with local government leaders, and talk about how to work together to better serve Hoosiers.
During the tour, Skillman will have discussions with government leaders throughout the state that will include possible ways the state can help local units of government deliver services more effectively and efficiently, in addition to ways to boost the local economy.
She said she plans to have recommendations to Governor Mitch Daniels by the end of this year prior to the 2012 legislative session.
The tour also includes visits to community projects that were funded by agencies Skillman directs.
Giverny Fitness Studio benefited from those funds when it received funding for renovations from the state’s Office of Community and Rural Affairs.
The building was purchased in fall 2008, and was renovated and opened in March 2009.
Before Giverny moved into the building, it was a vacant building. It also was previously Brennan’s Home Medical Building.
Giverny received a facade grant and low interest loan for building renovations at the end of 2008, according to Missy Cook, Giverny business manager.
The second and third floor was gutted, and upstairs bathrooms, and locker room facilities were added, and stairs were installed up to the third floor.
“We are very proud of this facility and proud of the way the renovations turned out and we are thrilled to have the lieutenant governor come and see what we are doing here,” Cook said.
Skillman said community development has been one of her passions as well as economic development.
“This is a great project to celebrate when you have refurbished an existing building and made this investment and it is a win-win on many fronts,” Skillman said.
She said with tough economic times statewide there are empty buildings.
“When other individuals and other small businesses see that they are willing to make an investment to take a risk and hire more people that gives other businesses the confidence to do so as well,” Skillman said.
She said that is why she likes to celebrate projects because it sends a very powerful message that there is confidence in the local and state economy and that Indiana is a great place to do business.
“This is a community that has great resources, but the best resources are the people because they have a can-do attitude,” Skillman said.
She said Giverny is the perfect example of the state’s private sector workforce.
“Our state’s economic health depends on how well our small businesses do, so it brings us great encouragement when we see entrepreneurs who take a risk, make an investment and hire more Hoosiers,” Skillman said.
Skillman said the tour has allowed her to have great conversations about efficiencies and partnerships between the state and local cities and towns.
Besides overseeing the Office of Community and Rural Affairs, she oversees the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, the Office of Energy Development, the Office of Tourism Development, and the State Department of Agriculture.
These agencies primarily aid communities through financial investments and other programs.
They have administered more than 1 billion in funding assistance for projects, such as housing developments, local governments' capital projects, and energy initiatives.[[In-content Ad]]
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