RICHMOND, Ind. - Natco Credit Union has announced Tim Frame as its next President and Chief Executive Officer.

Frame succeeds Cindy Duke, who served with the credit union for 39 years.

Frame brings more than 20 years of executive leadership experience in the financial services industry. He served as Chief Lending Officer and President and CEO for West End Bank. Most recently, he held the position of Regional Market President at 3Rivers Federal Credit Union.

“I am incredibly proud of what our team has built together over the past 39 years,” said Cindy Duke, in a press release. “Natco Credit Union’s strength has always been its people and its culture, and I am confident Tim will honor that foundation while bringing fresh perspective and leadership as the credit union moves forward.”

The Board of Directors' decision of appointment follows a comprehensive search process. 

WAYNE COUNTY, Ind. – The Wayne County Land Trust is purchasing properties as part of a long-term effort to revitalize historic downtown spaces.

The land trust is a nonprofit entity formed by the Wayne County Foundation, focused on renovating historic commercial properties, particularly along Main Street and in Richmond’s Depot District.

The Foundation has worked in downtown revitalization for nearly a decade through its partnership with Forward Wayne County, a countywide community development initiative that works to strengthen the local workforce, quality of life, and support economic growth.

“We did a feasibility and structural assessment of any building on Main Street across Wayne County,” said Rebecca Gilliam, Executive Director of the Wayne County Foundation.

Gilliam said the assessments helped determine the condition of buildings, their current use, and what would be required to renovate them.

“Most of those buildings either had limited tenants or some were just vacant and they were in disrepair,” she said.

The Foundation has also worked alongside organizations such as Richmond Neighborhood Restoration and Revitalize Richmond and, through that work, identified a gap in long-term restoration efforts and ongoing building upkeep.

“There was a gap where we were seeing the different development activities happening, but what was going to keep it together long term,” Gilliam said.

This is when the trust officially formed, established in May 2025 to address that need.

“That’s where we came into the picture,” Gilliam said. “We can continue this work long term. We will start working in the spaces with building owners and businesses that aren’t part of these other projects and see what their interest is.”

Shortly after forming, the trust began working with building owners. While governed by the Wayne County Foundation, the trust operates with its own board and property management team.

“The trust board is who is in charge of making the decisions about the scope of the project, the buildings that will be acquired, and managing the work that’s happening,” Gilliam said.

So far, more than 20 properties have been acquired. Gilliam said the trust is now entering the design and development phase and plans to hire a design and architectural firm in the near future.

Foundation leaders emphasize that community input played a key role in shaping the initiative and encourage ongoing public engagement. More information is available through the Forward Wayne County website and the organization’s Facebook page.

“This is an initiative with the community,” Gilliam said. “This is based on lots of feedback that we received, work that Forward Wayne County has been doing across the county in community development. This arose from a need.”

WAYNE COUNTY, Ind. – The Wayne County Foundation has announced the creation of the Wayne County Land Trust.

This is a nonprofit investment dedicated to the revitalization of Wayne County’s communities.

Revitalization focuses on the restoration of historic buildings, expanding housing options, and reinvesting locally for long-term growth.

The Trust has already purchased 22 properties in downtown Richmond and the Depot District. It will operate as a long-term owner of the restored properties.

The Trust Board is appointed by the Wayne County Foundation Board. The Board consists of local private sector leaders with experience in real estate, construction, law, finance, and economic development.
The Foundation stresses this initiative is focused on giving back to the community for generations.

You can learn more about the Trust here.

RICHMOND, Ind. – The Richmond Municipal Airport is moving forward with plans for a new terminal building, after decades of operating in its original facility, built in 1945.

Airport Manager Rodney Mayse said the current terminal is more than 80 years old and suffers from major structural and accessibility issues, including leaking windows, failing bricks, and outdated heating and cooling systems.

The building is also not ADA compliant, and its layout creates congestion during busy times.

“We needed a bigger waiting area for passengers and pilots to come in and out of,” Mayse said.

The proposed terminal would include after-hours access, allowing pilots who use the airport’s self-fueling station to access restrooms, a pilots’ lounge, showers, and lockers 24 hours a day. The airport is currently open daily from 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., making after-hours access a major need for pilots who arrive late or depart early.

The discussion about a new terminal originally began in 2008 during the administration of former Mayor Sally Hutton. Early efforts stalled due to lack of funding, but a renewed push began in 2022 after federal infrastructure funding opened new grant opportunities.

The airport applied for a competitive federal grant through the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program, which allows communities to apply over a five-year period. Richmond received funding for the terminal design in 2024, and the airport hopes to secure funding for construction in the program’s final year.

“We’re hoping since they funded one part of the project that they’ll fund the construction part,” Mayse said.

Plans are approximately 80% complete, and construction bids are expected to be released at the beginning of March, with results due by May. If all goes as planned, groundbreaking could begin as early as fall 2026, with completion expected within six to 12 months.

The new terminal would be built directly across from the current building, allowing airport operations to continue during construction.

If the FAA does not approve the construction grant, the airport has alternative options, including using cash reserves, pursuing redevelopment funds, or seeking donations and loans.

Mayse emphasized that the airport plays a vital role in local economic development.

“It’s the first thing they see when they land at the Richmond Airport for the City of Richmond,” Mayse said.

The airport currently supports local businesses including Dot Foods, Primex Plastics, and Georgia Pacific, and serves as a key resource for corporate travel and logistics. Mayse also stressed that the airport is not funded by taxpayer dollars for daily operations. Revenue comes from fuel sales, hangar rentals, and farm leases.

“We have an operating budget for 2026, it is $583,000,” Mayse said.

In addition to terminal upgrades, the airport supports flight training through Flight Master Aviation and plans to host community events, including food truck gatherings and potential airplane rides this summer.

Mayse said the goal is to encourage more people to use the airport and recognize its value to the community.

“We want people to choose Richmond because of the facilities we have. It’s kind of up to the pilot where they want to land,” Mayse said. “So, it’s important to have a well-maintained airport in your community, in your city.”

WAYNE COUNTY, Ind. – A proposal that could bring a casino to Wayne County is moving through the legislative process, after a state-commissioned study identified the county as one of Indiana’s top potential sites for a new gaming license.

Wayne County ranked third in the study, prompting surprise and curiosity from local officials, directing them to explore what a casino could mean for the region.

“We were surprised,” said Wayne County Chamber CEO Melissa Vance. “Wayne County was listed as number three behind Indianapolis and Fort Wayne.”

Vance said the interest is locally driven by economic development. With Richmond sitting on the Ohio border, the state sees opportunities for tourism.

“The benefit for the state is that, especially with us here on the Ohio border, the opportunity to bring people in from Ohio through tourism opportunities and bringing their money here,” she said.

Vance continued, “We also know that if hundreds of millions of dollars get invested in one industry, other industries will grow around it. The more people we can bring into our community, the more we can support our local businesses.”

Tax revenue from a gaming license would be split between the City of Richmond and Wayne County, with potential impacts on schools and quality-of-place projects.

As far as the layout goes for a potential casino, that is left up to the state to decide. While the state study highlights traffic along I-70 and U.S. 27, Vance said the location and design of any casino would be determined by the state and the eventual operator of the casino.

“The state will determine what the minimum investment would be by the casino, and we think that that will end up being between two and five hundred million dollars,” Vance said. “That's more than a building that's probably a hotel and other amenities that could draw people in.”

To keep residents informed, local officials have released a website and social media platform, called Richmond on a Roll. The alliteration highlights continued momentum.

“There's so much happening that this is just another potential influx of investment here that would keep that momentum going. Really, Richmond is on a roll, just kind of identifies that momentum that we have.”

While this is the momentum local officials are carrying forward in discussions of a casino, Vance doesn’t believe the county’s recent revitalization efforts influenced the state’s ranking.

“I think they really looked at the traffic studies and the drive time with a radius of who we might draw in. I think that was really the basis for the study,” she said.

A bill is currently being amended to add Wayne County as a potential casino site. If it passes this session, the question will appear on the November ballot for voters to decide. After that, Vance said the Indiana Gaming Commission would spend about a year vetting casino operators before selecting one.

“We’re years away from breaking ground anywhere. This is really brand new, the first step for us.”

Some residents have raised concerns about crime, traffic, and addiction. Vance said local leaders have looked at Terre Haute, a community like Richmond, for guidance. Officials there have reported minimal crime increases, noting the casino has its own police presence.

“This is a large entertainment venue. Its visibility in reducing crime is, they're used to that. They know how to do that. So, from a crime standpoint, I think that has really eased our minds,” Vance said.

She added the county has discussed dedicating a portion of revenue to social services.

Vance encourages the community to stay educated and informed through richmondisonarole.com as the process continues

“For the Chamber, this is a business case. For our community, it is an investment in our quality of place. It's lifting education,” she said. “It’s an opportunity that doesn't come along every day.”

WAYNE COUNTY, Ind. – Washington Road’s overpass bridge closed Monday, shutting down the stretch between Kepler Road and Moyer Road.

The closure is expected to remain in place through summer 2026. Drivers will need to follow the posted detour using Moyer, Jacksonburg, and Kepler roads.

The project will allow crews to rehabilitate the bridge and install a new deck to extend its lifespan.

Image Source: INDOT

Darke County Economic Development is pleased to announce the participants selected for the 2026 Leadership Darke County program, a countywide leadership development initiative designed to educate, engage, and prepare emerging and established leaders for greater community involvement.

Leadership Darke County is a yearlong program that brings together professionals from diverse industries to explore key aspects of leadership, teamwork, communication, and community impact. Through interactive sessions hosted by local businesses, organizations, and institutions, participants gain a deeper understanding of Darke County while strengthening personal and professional leadership skills.

The 2026 program will include monthly sessions beginning in February and concluding with graduation in the fall. Topics range from self-leadership and emotional intelligence to conflict management, community leadership, and mentorship. Sessions are hosted throughout the county, allowing participants to experience firsthand the breadth of industries and organizations that contribute to Darke County’s success.

Darke County Economic Development is proud to recognize the following individuals selected for the 2026 Leadership Darke County class:

• Betsy Petitjean — Versailles Exempted Village Schools / Darke County Agricultural Society
• Candace Phlipot — Midmark Corporation
• Cortney Yount — EverHeart Hospice
• Greg Billing — Darke County Visitors Bureau
• Heather Fornshil — Wayne HealthCare
• Heidi May — Darke County Agricultural Society
• Jacob Weaver — JAFE Decorating
• Jared Beatty — Moriroku Technology North America – Greenville
• Joseph Badell — Darke County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Darke DD)
• Kylie Prasuhn — Darke County Educational Service Center
• Leigha Brown — JAFE Decorating
• Lexi Horner — Flinn & Detling Law Group Co., L.P.A.
• Lyndsay Huffman — Greenville Federal
• Mattias Petersson — Moriroku Technology North America – Greenville
• Melissa Muhlenkamp — Park National Bank
• Michael Karns — Wayne HealthCare
• Rachel Neal — Darke County Chamber of Commerce
• Ryan Buck — JAFE Decorating
• Traci Woods — Weaver Bros., Inc.
• Tyler Goettemoeller — Darke Rural Electric Cooperative

“Leadership Darke County continues to invest in people who care deeply about this community and want to play an active role in its future,” said Denise Elsas, Workforce Specialist with Darke County Economic Development. “This year’s class represents a strong cross-section of industries, perspectives, and leadership potential.”

For more information about Leadership Darke County, please contact Denise Elsas at delsas@darkecounty.com or 937.548.3250.

Richmond, Ind. — The Wayne County Foundation has received a grant of $1.5 million from Lilly Endowment Inc. through the Community Support Grant component of the ninth phase of its Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT IX) initiative. This is one of 92 Community Support Grants being awarded through GIFT IX, a statewide Lilly Endowment initiative designed to support the efforts of community foundations to strengthen the quality of life in the communities they serve.

The Community Support Grant is designed to provide the Wayne County Foundation with flexible funding to enhance its grantmaking capacity to address compelling, near-term needs in its county. The Foundation will have up to three years to use its grant to address community-driven priorities.

“We are deeply grateful for the continued support of Lilly Endowment,” said Rebecca Gilliam, Executive Director of the Wayne County Foundation. “GIFT IX will allow us to build upon the incredible work underway across the county and provide transformative opportunities for our communities to thrive.”

With the grant, the Foundation, through Forward Wayne County, will be able to create positive change in communities throughout Wayne County. This includes investing in recreational amenities, improving the appearance of downtown areas, developing placemaking strategies, and strengthening nonprofit Main Street organizations.

“Through recent countywide strategic planning and strong community feedback, we were able to quickly identify areas of focus to utilize our grant dollars,” said Acacia St. John, Program Director for Forward Wayne County. “The next three years will continue to transform our communities around Wayne County.”

Lilly Endowment created the GIFT initiative in 1990 to help local communities in Indiana develop the philanthropic capacity to identify local needs and challenges and work with other organizations and residents to help their communities thrive. Through GIFT IX, Lilly Endowment has allocated up to $271.5 million to support Indiana’s community foundations in growing their financial resources and further strengthening their ability to address their community’s highest-priority challenges and opportunities.

Article from Haley Hokey, with the Wayne County Foundation.

RICHMOND, Ind. – A groundbreaking ceremony Thursday marked a historic investment in Richmond’s Vaile Neighborhood.

22 new affordable homes are going to be built for low- to moderate-income families.

The $1.2 million project, funded through Indiana’s READI program, will transform vacant lots into opportunities for families to put down roots.

“These homes will be built on infill lots in the neighborhood and right behind me is one of those lots here today,” said Valerie Shaffer, president of the Wayne County Economic Development Corporation.

Shaffer emphasized that the project will not only strengthen the community but attract families to the local school district.

READI is a statewide program that helps regions implement strategies for population growth and economic development. For Richmond, this represents the next step in a decade of revitalization efforts.

“We've worked on a lot of different projects in this neighborhood over the last decade,” said Sarah Mitchell, Wayne County’s economic development manager. “It’s not just about today, but it's just moving that one more step forward.”

The Vaile Neighborhood is named after Dr. Joel Vaile, Richmond’s first school board member in the 1800s. The neighborhood sits between Old Richmond and the Glen Miller/Brewer District. Over the past decade, millions have been invested here through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program and owner-occupied rehab projects. This resulted in new sidewalks and streets and the elimination of unsafe homes.

“These neighborhoods often face challenges, yet they hold tremendous opportunity for redevelopment,” Mitchell said.

Key partners on this project include Intend Indiana, Wayne County Foundation, Interurban, Richmond Power & Light, the City of Richmond, Habitat for Humanity, and the Richmond Housing Authority.

“What’s really special is that you and your friends are a part of this change by hearing about your neighborhood, keeping it clean, being kind to others, you make this a better place. Your neighborhood is improving and becoming stronger every day,” Mitchell said.

WAYNE COUNTY, Ind. – The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) of Wayne County has been awarded $5.1 million through Indiana’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI).

READI is a statewide program that helps regions implement strategies for population growth and economic development.

Through this award, Wayne County will focus on improving housing, neighborhood revitalization, and community development projects.

Under the READI 2.0 initiative, three key areas will drive revitalization:

• Starr Neighborhood (Richmond): Funding will help rehabilitate 22 historic homes, returning them to owner-occupied status and preserving the district’s architectural character.
• Vaile Neighborhood (Richmond): Nonprofit Intend Indiana will build 22 new single-family homes on vacant lots, providing affordable housing for low- to moderate-income families.
• Downtown Wayne County: The program will expand downtown revitalization efforts, focusing on remediating blight, reopening vacant buildings, creating upper-story housing, and supporting historic preservation to attract investment and increase community vibrancy.

The initiative will create or rehabilitate a total of 144 housing units with a combined investment exceeding $55 million.

Key partners include Intend Indiana, Wayne County Foundation, Interurban, Richmond Power & Light, the City of Richmond, Habitat for Humanity, and the Richmond Housing Authority.

Construction and redevelopment are scheduled to continue through 2028, with design and predevelopment starting in 2025.

Richmond, Ind. – The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) of Wayne County has approved support for Milestone Trailer Wash, a new 9,000-square-foot facility planned on 5.7 acres in the Midwest Industrial Park.

The $2.36 million investment looks to bring specialized FDA-compliant cleaning services for food-grade and refrigerated trailers.

The project is expected to create six new jobs, each paying $20 per hour plus benefits. To assist with the development, the EDC Board approved a $26,000 EDIT Grant and the sale of 5.7 acres.

Construction on Milestone Trailer Wash is scheduled to begin in early 2026, with operations expected to start by late 2026.

WAYNE COUNTY, Ind. – Travelers passing through Centerville on westbound I-70 will soon see big changes at the local welcome center. Currently closed for renovations, the site is undergoing a major transformation as part of a statewide effort to modernize Indiana’s rest areas and enhance the travel experience.

The Indiana Department of Transportation launched its Rest Area and Welcome Center Improvement Plan in 2019. This plan, expected to be complete by 2034, calls for more than $600 million in improvements to 21 rest areas across the state, funded by a mix of state and federal dollars.

The existing welcome center in Centerville closed in early February 2025, with the new facility expected to open in 2027. F.A. Wilhelm Construction Company of Indianapolis was awarded the contract through a bidding process.

Each renovated welcome center follows a theme tied to Indiana’s racing history and identity.

“One goal is to help showcase all Indiana has to offer while providing a safe, relaxing place for travelers to rest and take a break,” said Natalie Garrett, INDOT Strategic Communications Director, in an email.

In Centerville, the welcome center will celebrate Indiana’s rich basketball heritage. Planned exhibits will highlight Hoosier Hysteria, legendary coach John Wooden, and other basketball icons. The facility will also include a children’s play area, an adult recreation zone, a walking path, and a dog park. Four individual basketball half-courts will be available, with basketballs provided on-site.

Similar transformations are taking place statewide. The Kankakee Welcome Center along I-65 in Jasper County features themes tied to northern Indiana’s sand dunes and Lake Michigan. The Clear Creek Welcome Center in Virgo County highlights the state’s racing history and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Meanwhile I-64 in Posey County, the Black River Welcome Center reflects Abraham Lincoln’s boyhood home with a log cabin-inspired design.

The broader plan also includes the addition of over 1,200 additional truck parking spaces statewide, nearly doubling current capacity. At the Centerville location, over 200 parking spaces for cars and semitrucks are being added.

“INDOT is aware that there is a critical shortage of safe, accessible truck parking for semitruck drivers, and adding more spaces at our rest areas and welcome centers is one way the agency is trying to help alleviate the issue,” Garrett said.

INDOT will continue to maintain and operate the renovated facilities.

“The goal of INDOT's overall improvement plan is to provide safe, relaxing, informative places for travelers to stop, rest, and recharge along Indiana's interstates,” Garrett said.

While the Centerville location is closed, travelers are encouraged to use INDOT’s Greenfield rest area, located on westbound I-70 at MM 107 in Hancock County.

Image provided by Indiana Department of Transportation East Central.

WAYNE COUNTY, Ind. - From infrastructure improvements to community development, organizations across Wayne County are actively investing in the region's future. Ongoing upgrades to public spaces, new housing initiatives, and targeted business incentives are setting the stage for long-term growth and improved quality of life.

One major effort underway is the expansion of single-family housing throughout the area.

In July, the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) of Wayne County announced plans for the construction of 82 new homes over the next five years, as part of the Housing Accelerator Program.

The program focuses on supporting public infrastructure in unfinished subdivisions, helping developers complete neighborhoods that stalled due to a lack of roads, utilities, or sidewalks.

"We wanted to set this program up to help local or regional house builders consider accelerating their production of homes in Richmond and Wayne County," said Valerie Shaffer, president, and Sarah Mitchell, manager of economic development for Wayne County.

To attract builders, the EDC offered $10,000 per lot in incentives through the program.

The initiative is supported by $820,000 from the EDC and is part of a broader $26 million investment in housing development across the county.

The EDC received nine applications for this project. Of those, five were selected for funding. The selected projects are: Meers Estates in Cambridge City, Willowbrook Place in Centerville, Garwood Acres, Sandbridge Hills, and Hidden Valley in Richmond.

The investment results in the construction of 41 homes in Centerville and Cambridge City and 41 homes in Richmond.

The Housing Accelerator Program was launched in partnership with Wayne County Government and is funded through the Consolidated EDIT Fund and the Wayne County EDIT Fund. Three developers are behind the five approved projects. Trademark Construction, one of the main participants, will oversee developments in Hidden Valley (Richmond), Sandbridge Hills (Richmond), Woolbrook Estates (Centerville), and Mier Estates (Cambridge City). 

The homes will range in price from $250,000 to $450,000, with sizes varying between 1,200 to 3,500 square feet. 

"This will create churn in the marketplace," they explained. "Individuals that might be in more of a starter home could be moving into these new homes that are built, which frees up some additional homes within the real estate market here in Wayne County."

By filling critical infrastructure gaps, the program is helping to unlock the full potential of existing subdivisions and meet growing demand for housing. The Housing Accelerator Program is the result of years of planning and aligns with goals outlined in Wayne County's Comprehensive Plans, as well as the City of Richmond.