Indiana Bicentennial Visioning Project underway

To celebrate the state’s history and future, the project — the website is www.in.gov/ibc/3138.htm — asks Hoosiers where they think Indiana should aspire to be in the next 50 years.

Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann, a Ferdinand native, spearheaded the project that will allow anyone to submit ideas.

“In addition to our conversations with thought leaders, we are eager to hear from others who have ideas and visions for Indiana’s next 50 years,” Ellspermann said.  

The project will consider “big ideas” submitted to the website, as well as ideas gathered from leaders throughout Indiana. The project will include publication of a report of selected ideas in the summer of 2016. Bicentennial commission co-chair Lee Hamilton proposed the concept.

“I see this Visioning Project as a way to capture the best ideas for Indiana’s future from today’s big thinkers across a wide range of economic, social and cultural issues,” Hamilton said.

Veteran Indianapolis journalist Norm Heikens will serve as editor and project manager. Old National Bank is the project sponsor.

Indiana’s 2016 Bicentennial Celebration hopes to honor the state’s 200 years of history engaging all 6.5 million Hoosiers while leaving a lasting legacy for future generations. The commission works with volunteer coordinators in every county to develop projects that are worthy of designation as Official Bicentennial Legacy Projects. All projects are categorized under four main themes set forth by the commission: youth and education, historical celebration, nature conservation and community involvement. To date, 329 projects have been endorsed in 78 counties.

Dubois County hasn’t developed an official legacy project yet, but Dubois County Visitors Center Executive Director Kevin Manley said a group of local folks spread throughout the county will meet in the coming months to create a legacy project by the winter.

The bicentennial celebration will kick off Dec. 11, 2015, and continue until a grand finale weekend Dec. 10 and 11, 2016.