Shaping community economic development policy effectively goes beyond legislative advocacy to include administrative advocacy at the federal, state, and local levels. Prosperity Indiana engages with agencies directed by the President and the Governor, as well as mayors, boards, and commissions assuming the executive role at the local level, to advocate for reforms and initiatives that best serve Hoosier communities.

The following three initiatives are central to supporting our members’ work at the administrative level.

1. ENSURE STATE AND FEDERAL RESOURCES MOST EFFECTIVELY ADDRESS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT NEEDS THROUGH STATEWIDE CONSOLIDATED AND ALLOCATION PLANS

With regards to setting priorities and awarding federal resources, Prosperity Indiana advocates for extensive public engagement, allocation criteria which aligns resources with the local needs as ascertained by each community, and transparency. Two critical opportunities for such input is in response to the Qualified Allocation Plan addressing Low Income Housing Tax Credit investments and Consolidated Plan addressing priorities for block grant funding through the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Prosperity Indiana will continue engaging members and providing comprehensive feedback to help identify unmet needs and ensure resources are spent effectively to achieve community economic development goals.

2. SUPPORT REGIONAL ECONOMIC PROSPERITY AND RESILIENCY

Prosperity Indiana will engage members in regional Community Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) planning to ensure member interests and efforts are reflected in broader strategies designed to strengthen the regional economies by engaging community leaders, leveraging the involvement of the private sector, and taking advantage of effective partnerships.

3. STRENGTHEN THE IMPACT OF THE INDIANA AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND

Prosperity Indiana will engage members, partners and stakeholders to strengthen the Indiana Affordable Housing and Community Development Fund's efforts to meet community economic development needs. Additionally, we will urge increased engagement with the public in setting goals and determining the effectiveness of current program approaches.