SoIN Tourism Board Approves $1 million in Local Project Support
Four Southern Indiana projects to receive $250,000 from Tourism Capital Development Fund
Southern Indiana (February 10, 2025) – SoIN Tourism’s board of managers recently approved a commitment to invest a total of $1 million in support of four emerging and existing community projects in Clark and Floyd counties in Southern Indiana. The funds are derived from the Tourism Capital Development Fund (TCDF) which is aimed at supporting various community-related projects.
“Those receiving awards demonstrated an alignment with our goal of building up Southern Indiana as a visitor destination,” said SoIN Tourism Executive Director Jim Epperson. “Each of these projects improves SoIN’s quality of life and will help turn visitors into future residents.”
SoIN Tourism committed to investing $250,000 in each of the four projects. Funding for the projects will be initially covered by a municipal bond paid off by SoIN Tourism over time. The selected projects are:
Town of Borden Historic Bank Building Repurpose – Radius Indiana / Town of Borden
Adaptive reuse of a historic bank building in Borden, Indiana, to serve as a trailhead for outdoor enthusiasts and community members, enhancing quality of life in Clark and Floyd counties.
- Create a trailhead along the Monon South Trail that will serve as a gateway to nearby recreational areas, offering a comfortable and convenient space for individuals to rest, refresh, and work.
- Preserve the building’s historic character while providing modern amenities that support residents and visitors.
- Renovate the facility to include public restrooms, air conditioning, a water bottle refill station, Wi-Fi and a co-working area.
Charlestown Family Activities Park Expansion – City of Charlestown
The City of Charlestown will use funds to pay down a bond on work conducted during Phase 1 of the Family Activities Park expansion. This allows for the acceleration of the second phase of the project, which expands the park to further serve the community and draw visitors.
- Phase 1 of the expansion focused on developing The Depot, a new teen-centered hangout space featuring a stage, coffee/smoothie bar, sports and game options. The Depot opened to the public in Spring 2024, offering concerts, movie nights, professional wrestling and more.
- Phase 2 will welcome sports opportunities, including a sand volleyball court for leagues and tournaments and mini soccer fields for regional friendlies and competitions. It will also expand restroom facilities to support increased use and visitation.
The Central Green: A Community & Cultural Destination – Cornerstone Group / Town of Clarksville
Creation of a versatile public space in south Clarksville that will serve as a hub for cultural and social activities, fostering both tourism and local engagement.
The space will offer a year-round calendar of events, enhancing the local quality of life and providing a destination for tourists seeking unique cultural experiences. This project includes the construction of:
- a multi-purpose stage for live music performances
- a venue for festivals and events
- an open space for community markets such as farmers markets
Falls of the Ohio State Park Outdoor Education Pavilion – Falls of the Ohio Foundation / Town of Clarksville
Support construction of the park’s soon-to-be built Outdoor Education Pavilion, which will help serve the hundreds of thousands of people who visit the park each year, including local, school, scout and tourist groups. The pavilion aligns with three of SoIN Tourism’s priority categories:
- Small Meetings/Conferences – The pavilion will provide the space and technology for groups to schedule meetings and small events overlooking one of the region’s most impressive views.
- Riverfront/Outdoor Recreation/Adventure Travel – The pavilion will help elevate the riverfront and provide new marketing materials to help attract outdoor enthusiasts.
- Arts, Heritage, and Cultural Entertainment/Festivals – The pavilion will encourage groups and events to use the river landscape for art programs and special events, including the Foundation’s annual Rock the Rocks concert, member events and arts and educational programs which tell the story of the community’s past and its unique cultural heritage.
The TCDF program has been in place since 1984 when the Indiana General Assembly enacted an innkeeper’s tax to support marketing Clark and Floyd counties to visitors. The tax included 1% earmarked for capital projects that help to attract visitors. That percentage increased to 1.5% in 2019. Since its inception, the program has awarded nearly $9.5 million to projects in Clark and Floyd counties.
To interview a SoIN Tourism representative about the TCDF, please contact Communications Manager Anna Rosales-Crone at Anna@GoSoIN.com or 812-282-6692.
SoIN Tourism is the official destination marketing organization for Clark and Floyd counties in Southern Indiana, just north of Louisville, Ky. Offering authentic experiences in the Kentuckiana region, SoIN includes historic downtowns in Jeffersonville and New Albany, Clarksville’s retail corridor, as well as the communities of Charlestown, Floyds Knobs, Henryville, Memphis, New Washington, Sellersburg and Starlight. Visitors who would like more information can visit the destination’s website, GoSoIN.com.
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Forty-six new community leaders selected for Bingham Fellows Class of 2025
Louisville, Kentucky (January 30, 2025) – From a very competitive pool of candidates, forty-six community leaders have been selected to participate in the Leadership Louisville Center’s Bingham Fellows Class of 2025. The topic for this year’s Bingham Fellows will be: A Place to Call Home: Innovative Workforce Housing Solutions, focused on Louisville’s housing crisis for the working class.
Every year, the Leadership Louisville Center seeks to address one of our community’s most pertinent issues through the Bingham Fellows program. This year’s Bingham Fellows will examine the complexities of these issues while engaging with community leaders, experts, and stakeholders to develop innovative solutions. The cohort will focus on a variety of factors including:
- Financial incentives for developers
- Innovative homeownership programs
- Zoning regulations
- Barriers to housing access
- Advocacy and policy development
Members of the Bingham Fellows Class of 2025 are:
- Francisco Alzuru, Founder Manager | Bluegrass Multifamily
- Jeff Ames, Corporate Banker | Republic Bank & Trust Company
- Juva Barber, Executive Vice President | Building Industry Association of Greater Louisville
- Cara Bland, Director for The Institute for Health Equity | Norton Healthcare
- Philip Britt, Associate Vice President, Product Management | Humana
- Carolyn Callahan, Chief of Communications and Community Relations | Jefferson County Public Schools
- JD Carey, Executive Director | Apartment Association of Kentucky
- Rowan Claypool, President | Teach Kentucky
- Kristin Faurest, CEO and President | River Fields,
- Brandon Fields, Owner | Twin Spires Remodeling
- Kristy Flippins-Bartlett, Founder/CEO | Option to Success
- Laura Grabowski, Director | Office of Housing and Community Development
- Terra Greenwell, Chief Academic Officer | Jefferson County Public Schools
- Michael Gross, Director, Development | LDG Development
- Andrew Hawes, President & CEO | The Housing Partnership, Inc
- Michael Holwerda, Senior Vice President | Fifth Third Bank
- Clay Kannapell, Director of Global Logistics Brown Forman | Brown-Forman Corporation
- Andrea Kinser, SVP, Originations | PNC Bank
- Harrison Kirby, Director of Strategic Initiatives | Community Foundation of Louisville,
- Barry Kornstein, Consultant
- Rob Locke, Chief Executive Officer | Habitat for Humanity of Metro Louisville
- Ra’Shann Martin, Executive Director | John Center
- Councilwoman Paula McCraney, District 7 Councilwoman | Louisville Metro Council
- Lena Muldoon, Principal | LSM Strategies, LLC
- Joshua O’Bryan, Partner | Frost Brown Todd
- Denise O’Donnell, Chief Financial Officer | Scope CFO
- Jody Offutt, President of Property Management | Denton Floyd Real Estate Group
- Liz Pratt, Director External & Internal Communications | LG&E and KU Energy
- Sumedha Rao, Executive Director, Mayor’s Office of Sustainability | Louisville Metro Government
- Tamara Reif, Senior Director of Housing Services | Volunteers of America Mid-States | VOA
- Brittney Ridge, Chief of Action | Bennu Development
- DeOndrea Robinson, Owner | Jump Start Realty and Development LLC
- Jean Romano, Vice President | Seven Counties Services
- Hunt Rounsavall, Owner | Rounsavall Title Group, LLC
- Jon Salomon, Partner | Dentons Bingham Greenebaum LLP
- Joseph Seiler, Senior Vice President | Limestone Bank (PBI Bank)
- Michael Springer, Housing Program Manager | Blueprint502 formerly YouthBuild Louisville
- Josh Staten, Senior Director – Business Development & Real Estate | River Ridge Development Authority
- Curtis Stauffer, Managing Director-Housing Contract Administration | Kentucky Housing Corporation
- Shalini Sutaria, Associate VP, Technology Solutions | Humana
- Christine Tarquinio, VP of Marketing | Goodwill Industries of Kentucky
- Clare Wallace, Executive Director | South Louisville Community Ministries
- Clark Welch, Vice President of Economic Development | Greater Louisville
- Eric Whitmore, Owner, Architect | Square One Collaborative
- Adonna Wickliffe, CEO/Executive Director | Milestone Services
- Josh Williams, Director of Strong Households | Metro United Way
About the Bingham Fellows program:
The Bingham Fellows program is the advanced leadership program of the Leadership Louisville Center. Created in 1988 through a $500,000 endowment from the Mary and Barry Bingham Sr. Fund, the Fellows are social entrepreneurs who have the imagination and talent needed to gather critical resources and create social change. Side by side with peers, participants work to develop dynamic and innovative solutions to our community’s most pressing challenges. The 2025 cohort is the 33rd class of Bingham Fellows, who have an impressive track record of providing community issues with visibility and momentum.
The Fellows don’t ponder what might be. They roll up their sleeves, shine a spotlight on an issue, and put new ideas to work. Their recent impact includes projects such as CitySpots, which is turning spaces into places to create a more vibrant downtown, and You Decide, Kentucky!, a statewide initiative working to empower local governments to decide what revenue streams will improve the quality of life in their communities. Some additional high-impact projects since program’s creation include the West Louisville community development organization OneWest, regular Café Louie conversations with elected officials at Louisville Free Public Library locations, a sustainable model for neighborhood ‘Little Free Libraries,’ and City Champs, a talent attraction and retention program now managed by Greater Louisville Inc. The impact of the Fellows goes back to the 1990s with the creation of The Housing Partnership, construction of the Presbyterian Community Center, growth of local farmers’ markets, and numerous other positive outcomes.
About the Leadership Louisville Center:
The Leadership Louisville Center is the region’s most valuable resource for leadership development and civic engagement. With a purpose to inspire and equip leaders to be better and do better, it has graduated over 15,000 through its programs since 1979. The Center is recognized as a national best practice and is known for its dynamic programming and strong community connections. Programming includes five social impact leadership programs (Leadership Louisville, Focus Louisville, Ignite Louisville, Bingham Fellows, and Encore Louisville), the Alice Houston Women’s Leadership Program, leadership skills training courses presented through partner brand LeadingBetter™, and events designed to connect leaders and motivate positive change. Learn more at www.leadershiplouisville.org.
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Dr. Lisa Hoffman appointed IU Southeast Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Services & School Partnerships
NEW Albany, Ind. (January 29, 2025) – Indiana University Southeast has appointed Dr. Lisa Hoffman as Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Services & School Partnerships. Hoffman has served as interim associate vice chancellor for enrollment services at IU Southeast since September 2023.
Hoffman will be responsible for ensuring the success of Indiana University students from the time they are prospective applicants through to their graduation. Her role includes overseeing recruitment and admissions strategies, financial aid, and Student Central.
In addition, Hoffman will develop and execute a comprehensive strategic enrollment management plan for the campus, prioritizing student recruitment, retention, and graduation. She will also spearhead efforts to establish strategic partnerships with local K-12 school districts and regional colleges and universities. These partnerships aim to create pathways for students to secure preferred admission to undergraduate and graduate programs.
“I am excited to work with Dr. Hoffman to advance IU Southeast’s enrollment priorities as we progress toward our 2030 strategic plan goals promoting student success,” said Dr. Michelle Williams, Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at IU Southeast. “During her interim role, Dr. Hoffman successfully negotiated several agreements with school partners, streamlining pathways for new students to join IU Southeast in programs aligned with their long-term career aspirations. In her new role, she will continue these vital efforts while launching initiatives that emphasize student-centered recruitment and retention. These efforts ensure that students not only enroll but also thrive in IU Southeast’s supportive environment, gaining the skills and competencies necessary for success.”
Previously, Hoffman served as Dean for Research and Graduate Studies at IU Southeast from 2021 to 2023 and as Director of Graduate Studies for the IU Southeast School of Education from 2018 to 2021. A member of the IU Southeast faculty since 2009, she has taught in the School of Education in both part-time and full-time capacities, specializing in educational research and the needs of multilingual students and families.
Hoffman holds a B.A. in International Relations from Samford University, an M.S. in Multilingual Education/TESOL from Florida State University, and a Ph.D. in International and Multicultural Education from Florida State University.
“I am proud to lead a team that is deeply dedicated to breaking down barriers for students, whether it’s by streamlining the enrollment process, broadening access to scholarships, or fostering meaningful partnerships with employers,” said Hoffman. “At IU Southeast, we pride ourselves on cultivating a welcoming and empowering environment where every student feels supported in achieving their goals. I’m honored to be part of a community that inspires growth and success, and I’m thrilled to help even more students uncover their passions and forge rewarding career pathways with us.”
Hoffman and her family reside in Oldham County, Kentucky.
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About IU Southeast: IU Southeast is one of nine campuses of Indiana University. Offering top-quality and nationally accredited programs in education, nursing, business, social sciences, natural sciences, arts and humanities, the scenic 180-acre campus is located less than 15 minutes from downtown Louisville, Kentucky. It currently has over 3,750 students and employs over 360 faculty members. About 400 students live on campus in five fully furnished, lodge-style residence halls. Through an agreement with the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Indiana University Southeast offers in-state tuition to students enrolled from eight counties in the Louisville region. For more information, visit https://southeast.iu.edu. IU Southeast is a tobacco-free campus.
IU Southeast, Louisville hospital groups partner on workforce development
NEW ALBANY, Ind. (Jan. 22, 2025) — Baptist Health, Norton Healthcare and UofL Health will join forces with Indiana University Southeast to build a degree program that will fill needed laboratory science health care positions, establishing a historic five-year workforce development partnership.
Beginning in the fall, IU Southeast will offer a Bachelor of Science in medical laboratory science, training students to become medical technologists or clinical laboratory scientists. These professionals play a critical role in health care by analyzing biological samples to help diagnose and treat diseases.
“This important partnership demonstrates Indiana University’s commitment to serving Hoosiers and our Kentucky neighbors, offering students the opportunity to gain experience in a critical, growing field,” IU President Pamela Whitten said. “Graduates of IU Southeast’s new degree program will go on to provide meaningful care to patients in local communities and across the globe.”
“We are pleased to announce this unique arrangement with our hospital partners at UofL Health, Baptist Health and Norton Healthcare,” said Debbie Ford, chancellor of IU Southeast. “This collaboration reflects our institution’s commitment to addressing community needs while delivering top-tier educational opportunities close to home. Graduates of these programs embark on fulfilling and highly sought-after health care careers, with many choosing to remain in the region, strengthening our economy and serving local communities.”
Previously, the program was offered through a consortium with Bellarmine University in Kentucky, but students will now complete the degree fully at IU Southeast.
“The clinical lab testing done by medical laboratory scientists creates the foundation for all of modern health care,” said Dr. Emily Volk, vice president of system pathology and laboratories for UofL Health. “Without medical laboratory scientists, over 70 percent of the information used to diagnose patients would not be available. I applaud Indiana University Southeast and the other health care providers for working together to increase the number of laboratory medical scientists in our health care workforce.”
The program will transfer to IU Southeast, along with faculty members and laboratory equipment necessary to teach the program. The three hospital groups will support the program’s development at IU Southeast by providing faculty and operational support, supplying laboratory equipment, remodeling campus laboratory spaces, and offering students hands-on clinical experience through internships. Current Bellarmine students in the program will come to IU Southeast in the fall to complete their degrees.
The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science has approved the transfer of accreditation to IU Southeast, ensuring the program meets national standards. Graduates will be required to pass the American Society for Clinical Pathology national board exam to qualify as medical laboratory scientists.
“It takes a robust team of trained professionals to make sure the public gets the health care they need, and our organizations are proud to support the new medical lab sciences program at Indiana University Southeast,” said Charlotte Ipsan, senior vice president and chief hospital officer for Norton Healthcare. “A lab technologist’s work is vital to obtaining accurate test results that providers need to determine care plans.”
Medical laboratory professionals work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, diagnostic labs and research facilities, and the partnership will help fill these critical positions in the health care system.
The demand for medical laboratory scientists is steadily rising in Indiana and Kentucky. According to Lightcast labor data, job demand in this field has increased by 5.4% over the most recent four-year analysis. From October 2023 to October 2024, monthly job postings for medical laboratory scientist positions averaged 435 across the two-state region. Local median salaries for these roles range from $58,740 to $82,900, reflecting competitive opportunities in this critical health care profession.
“Lab scientists are vital members of the overall health care team,” said Mike Schroyer, president of Baptist Health Floyd. “Their work is vital in determining the plan of care for both inpatients and outpatients. Their work is also vital in caring for chronic conditions that count on accurate testing to regulate medications and prevent recurrent hospital admissions.
“Baptist Health is very honored and proud to support Indiana University Southeast’s new medical lab sciences program. We look forward to supporting the program and the students’ needs.”
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About IU Southeast: IU Southeast is one of nine campuses of Indiana University. Offering top-quality and nationally accredited programs in education, nursing, business, social sciences, natural sciences, arts and humanities, the scenic 180-acre campus is less than 15 minutes from downtown Louisville, Kentucky. It currently has over 3,750 students and employs over 360 faculty members. About 400 students live on campus in five fully furnished, lodge-style residence halls. Through an agreement with the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Indiana University Southeast offers in-state tuition to students enrolled from eight counties in the Louisville region. For more information, visit https://southeast.iu.edu. IU Southeast is a tobacco-free campus.
About Norton Healthcare
Norton Healthcare is a leader in serving adult and pediatric patients from throughout Greater Louisville, Southern Indiana, the commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond. The not-for-profit hospital and health care system has six Louisville-based hospitals and three hospitals in Southern Indiana.
With more than 23,000 employees, over 1,750 employed medical providers and more than 3,000 total providers on its medical staff, Norton Healthcare is Louisville’s second largest employer. It provides care at more than 400 locations throughout Kentucky and Southern Indiana. The six Louisville hospitals have a total of 1,927 licensed beds, and the Southern Indiana hospitals have a total of 347 licensed beds. The hospitals provide inpatient and outpatient general care as well as specialty care, including heart, neuroscience, cancer, orthopedic, women’s and pediatric services. The system also includes 10 outpatient centers, 19 Norton Immediate Care Centers, 14 Norton Prompt Care clinics and an expanded telehealth program. A strong research program provides access to clinical trials in a multitude of areas.
About UofL Health
UofL Health is a fully integrated regional academic health system with nine hospitals, four medical centers, Brown Cancer Center, Eye Institute, more than 250 physician practice locations, and more than 1,000 providers in Louisville and the surrounding counties, including southern Indiana. Additional access to UofL Health is provided through a partnership with Carroll County Memorial Hospital.
Affiliated with the University of Louisville School of Medicine, UofL Health is committed to providing patients with access to the most advanced care available. This includes clinical trials, collaboration on research and the development of new technologies to both save and improve lives. With more than 14,000 team members – physicians, surgeons, nurses, pharmacists and other highly-skilled health care professionals, UofL Health is focused on one mission: to transform the health of communities we serve through compassionate, innovative, patient-centered care. For more information on UofL Health, go to www.UofLHealth.org.
About Baptist Health
Founded in 1924 in Louisville, Kentucky, Baptist Health is a full-spectrum health system dedicated to improving the health of the communities it serves. The Baptist Health family consists of nine acute care hospitals, employed and independent physicians, and more than 450 points of care, including outpatient facilities, physician practices and services, urgent care clinics, outpatient diagnostic and surgery centers, home care, fitness centers, and occupational medicine and physical therapy clinics.
Baptist Health’s eight owned hospitals include more than 2,300 licensed beds in Corbin, Elizabethtown, La Grange, Lexington, Louisville, Paducah, Richmond and New Albany, Indiana. Baptist Health also operates two joint venture hospitals: the 410-bed Baptist Health Deaconess Madisonville in Madisonville, Kentucky with Deaconess Health System based in Evansville, Indiana, and the Baptist Health Rehabilitation Hospital, a 40-bed inpatient rehabilitation facility with Encompass Health, based in Birmingham, Alabama.
Baptist Health employs more than 24,000 people in Kentucky and surrounding states.
Baptist Health is the first health system in the U.S. to have all of its hospitals recognized by the American Nursing Credentialing Center with either a Magnet® or Pathway to Excellence® designation for nursing excellence.
Baptist Health’s employed provider network, Baptist Health Medical Group, has more than 1,775 employed providers offering care in 78 specialties, including approximately 825 physicians and 955 advanced practice clinicians. Baptist Health’s physician network also includes more than 2,000 independent physicians.
Learn more at BaptistHealth.com.
From left, IU Vice President for Regional Campuses and Online Education Ken Iwama; School of Natural Sciences Dean Pamela Connerly; IU Southeast Chancellor Debbie Ford; IU President Pamela Whitten; IU Southeast students Adrienne Nalley and Cheyenne Helton; Charlotte Ipsan of Norton Healthcare; Dr. Emily Volk of UofL Health; and Michael Schroyer of Baptist Health Floyd at an IU Southeast event announcing the new partnership.
Republic Bank named one of America’s Best Regional Banks for the second consecutive year
Republic is the only Louisville-based bank to be recognized on Newsweek’s list in both 2024 and 2025
Louisville, Ky. (Jan. 8, 2025) – Republic Bank & Trust Company (“Republic” or the “Bank”) announced today that it has been recognized as one of America’s Best Regional Banks 2025 by Newsweek and Plant-A-Insights Group. For the second consecutive year, Republic is the only Louisville-based bank to receive the award.
Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group recognized top regional banks in the United States by conducting a large-scale study based on the analysis of over 9,000 institutions, more than 70,000 customer surveys and millions of social media reviews.
“To be recognized by Newsweek as one of the best regional banks for the second year in a row is especially gratifying because this was based on feedback from customers, not just ranking and data analysis,” Republic Bank President and CEO Logan Pichel said. “We are deeply rooted in the local communities we serve, which gives us the capability to reach markets that need our services.”
“We are proud to offer our customers products and services that meet their needs and make their private and professional personal banking as easy as possible. Our online lending capabilities, which have also been recognized by Newsweek, are great examples of our technological leadership and customer-first approach,” Pichel added.
“Regional banks are the financial backbone of communities nationwide as they support small businesses, fund local projects and ensure easy access to essential banking services. We are proud to highlight companies utilizing a community- and customer-centric approach to make a big financial impact in their neighborhoods,” Newsweek Global Editor in Chief Nancy Cooper said.
For more information or to view the complete list, visit Newsweek Best Regional Banks 2025.
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About Republic Bank
Republic Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) is the parent company of Republic Bank & Trust Company (the “Bank”). The Bank currently has 47 banking centers in communities within five metropolitan statistical areas (“MSAs”) across five states: 22 banking centers located within the Louisville MSA in Louisville, Prospect, Shelbyville, and Shepherdsville in Kentucky, and Floyds Knobs, Jeffersonville, and New Albany in Indiana; six banking centers within the Lexington MSA in Georgetown and Lexington in Kentucky; eight banking centers within the Cincinnati MSA in Cincinnati and West Chester in Ohio, and Bellevue, Covington, Crestview Hills, and Florence in Kentucky; seven banking centers within the Tampa MSA in Largo, New Port Richey, St. Petersburg, Seminole, and Tampa in Florida; and four banking centers within the Nashville MSA in Franklin, Murfreesboro, Nashville and Spring Hill, Tennessee. In addition, Republic Bank Finance has one loan production office in St. Louis, Missouri. The Bank offers internet banking at www.republicbank.com. The Company is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, and as of September 30, 2024, had approximately $6.7 billion in assets. The Company’s Class A Common Stock is listed under the symbol “RBCAA” on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.
Source: Republic Bancorp, Inc.
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Community Foundation of Southern Indiana Receives $5 Million Matching Grant
NEW ALBANY, Ind. – The Community Foundation of Southern Indiana (CFSI) has received a matching fund grant totaling $5 million as part of the eighth phase of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s initiative, Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT VIII).
The Community Foundation of Southern Indiana will use the funding to support its unrestricted Community Impact Fund, which supports the greatest needs and highest priorities of Clark and Floyd counties – both now and for future generators. Qualifying matching funds raised to support CFSI’s unrestricted endowment will be eligible for a $2(grantor)-to-$1(grantee) match from the Endowment.
“The GIFT VIII Planning Grant is an exciting opportunity to bring significant funding into our community to support our community’s greatest needs and highest priorities, now and forever,” said Linda Speed, CFSI President and CEO. “While our region’s future needs and objectives may differ from those in place today, funding to the unrestricted Community Impact Fund will provide our Foundation with important grant flexibility down the road, helping organizations address the ever-evolving needs of our communities.”
Through GIFT VIII, Lilly Endowment has awarded matching fund grants totaling $133.8 million to community foundations serving all 92 of Indiana’s counties. Eligible community foundations submitted proposals requesting grants ranging from $100,000 to $15,000,000 based on the population of the counties they serve.
In 2023, Lilly Endowment launched GIFT VIII to help community foundation strengthen the town, cities, and counties they serve. Matching fund grants are one of several funding opportunities designed to help community foundations promote long-term viability; further strengthen their abilities to lead; encourage board engagement; and support and develop strategic efforts to enhance quality of life in their communities.
For more information on the GIFT VIII grant initiative, please visit our website: www.CFSouthernIndiana.com/Gift8
About CFSI
The Community Foundation of Southern Indiana was founded in 1991 as the region’s partner, resource, and steward in philanthropy. The Foundation manages $134 million in charitable assets and administers nearly 300 individual funds – each of which supports the unique charitable intent of the donor who established the fund. Annually, the Foundation awards millions in grants and scholarships and is a National Standards certified community foundation. For more information about the Community Foundation, contact 812-948-4662 or visit www.CFSouthernIndiana.com.
About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. The Endowment funds significant programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion. However, it maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.
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Contact: Wes Scott, Marketing and Communications Officer, Community Foundation of Southern Indiana
Phone: (812) 948-4662
Email: wscott@cfsouthernindiana.com
PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital Acquires Southern Indiana Rehab Hospital
ENOLA, Pa., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — National healthcare leader PAM Health is pleased to announce its acquisition of Southern Indiana Rehabilitation Hospital, effective December 3, 2024. The hospital will now operate as PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Greater Indiana North.
Conveniently located at 3104 Blackiston Boulevard in New Albany, Indiana, this hospital becomes PAM Health’s second location in the state, joining PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Greater Indiana South in nearby Clarksville.
“We are excited to partner with the exceptional team already in place at this hospital,” said Anthony Misitano, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of PAM Health. “Together, we aim to build on their strong foundation by enhancing patient care and fostering a culture of innovation and healing. Patients remain our top priority, and we know the key to delivering exceptional care lies in a dedicated, extraordinary team focused on optimizing outcomes.”
The New Albany Hospital will continue providing specialized care for patients recovering from debilitating illnesses and injuries, such as traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, strokes, amputations, orthopedic conditions, and post-surgical recovery. Advanced technologies, including an aquatic therapy pool, will support patients in their recovery journeys.
PAM Health, PAM Health, based in Enola, Pennsylvania, provides post-acute healthcare services through more than 100 long-term acute care hospitals, medical rehabilitation hospitals, behavioral health hospitals, as well as wound care clinics and outpatient physical therapy locations, in 23 states. PAM Health is committed to providing high-quality patient care and outstanding customer service, coupled with loyal, dedicated, and highly trained staff, to be the most trusted and impactful source for healthcare services in every community it serves.
Learn more at PAMHealth.com.
RRDA Opening Jim Lewis Avenue at State Road 62 with New Traffic Pattern
Intersection Improvements Expected to be Fully Completed in the First Quarter of 2025
Charlestown, IN (December 5, 2024) – River Ridge Development Authority (RRDA) announced today it is preparing to open the Jim Lewis Avenue intersection at State Road 62 in the coming months with a new traffic pattern on SR62. This project marks an important milestone in infrastructure improvements to serve new businesses and their employees within the River Ridge Commerce Center (RRCC).
As part of ongoing development, the “Green T” intersection project is expected to be fully completed in the first quarter of 2025. In the interim, the intersection will open to allow traffic flow, but without signalization. Drivers will have the ability to turn right into and out of Jim Lewis Avenue at the intersection at SR62, but left turns will be temporarily restricted until the project is finalized.
Additionally, upgrades are underway at Miami Trail with installation of a four-way, signalized intersection. This critical improvement aims to enhance connectivity and streamline traffic flow into Dan Cristiani Excavating’s Shadow Lake development and into the RRCC. This project will also complement the additional infrastructure enhancements at Jim Lewis Avenue.
“The opening of the Jim Lewis Avenue intersection demonstrates our commitment to improving transportation infrastructure for our businesses while prioritizing public safety for their employees and residents in the area,” said Jerry Acy, Executive Director. “We appreciate the community’s patience and cooperation as we work to deliver these upgrades.”
The “Green T” intersection is designed to enhance traffic flow and reduce congestion, improving access and safety for all road users. Once complete, the project will include new signalization, lane configurations, and enhanced signage to support smooth navigation.
For more information about the design and functionality of the planned “Green T” intersection, visit the Indiana Department of Transportation website at https://www.in.gov/indot/traffic-engineering/green-t-intersection/.
“We are excited to see the positive impact this project will have for residents, commuters and businesses in the area,” said Chris Jackson, President of Dan Cristiani Excavating Co, Inc. “These changes will serve the community well for years to come, setting a foundation for future investment.”
Charlestown city officials also highlighted the importance of these improvements for the community. “These upgrades represent significant progress in making Charlestown more accessible and safer for our residents and visitors,” said Charlestown Mayor Treva Hodges. “We’re proud to see investments like this taking shape, proving once again there has never been a better time to choose Charlestown.”
Residents and commuters are encouraged to stay updated on the project by visiting RiverRidgeCC.com for announcements and real-time updates.
About the River Ridge Development Authority
The River Ridge Development Authority (RRDA) manages the River Ridge Commerce Center, a 6,000-acre business and office park established in 1998 to replace lost economic activity from the closure of the Indiana Army Ammunition Plant.
Today, River Ridge is home to approximately 80 companies such as Amazon, Bose, Collins Aerospace, Medline, Optum and PharmaCord. Onsite employment totaled more than 12,002 in 2023, and the Center produced a total of over $2.9 billion in economic output and supported an additional 6,555 jobs. The investments and growth at River Ridge earned the RRDA the International Economic Development Council’s 2020 Gold Award for Real Estate Redevelopment and Reuse.
Joshua G. Wolford Joins Stites & Harbison’s Louisville Office
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Dec. 5, 2024)—Stites & Harbison, PLLC welcomes attorney Joshua G. Wolford to the firm based in the Louisville, Ky., office. He joins the Creditors’ Rights & Bankruptcy Service Group.
Wolford’s practice focuses on creditors’ rights, bankruptcy, and commercial finance matters. Before joining Stites & Harbison, he worked as a law clerk for Judge Danny J. Boggs, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit (2023-24). Prior to that he was a law clerk for Judge Karen K. Caldwell, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky (2022-23). Wolford earned his J.D. from the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law, valedictorian, summa cum laude, and Order of the Coif, in 2022. He is admitted to practice in Kentucky.
About Stites & Harbison
Stites & Harbison, PLLC is a nationally recognized, full-service law firm. With 11 offices across six states — Kentucky, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia — the firm represents clients across the United States and internationally. Tracing its origins to 1832, Stites & Harbison is known as a preeminent firm managing sophisticated transactions, challenging litigation and complex regulatory matters on a daily basis. For more information, visit www.stites.com.