Stellar Pathways program accepting applicants

Friday, August 7, 2026 at 7:27 AM

By Staff report

A new round of funding is now open for the Stellar Pathways program in Indiana.

The Stellar Pathways program is a multi-year, multi-million-dollar initiative led by OCRA. The program works with communities and regional partnerships on a shared vision for community and economic development, promotes local collaboration and assists in implementing sustainable solutions to challenges Indiana's rural communities face.

“Indiana’s greatest strength has always been its communities," Lieutenant Governor Beckwith said. "Stellar Pathways equips local leaders to build on that foundation, create new opportunities, and strengthen the places Hoosier families call home.”

Interested applicants may apply as either a single local unit of government or as a self-determined region and partner with other local units of government, including county governments, municipalities and townships.

“In my travels across the state, I've visited several Stellar communities, and the impact of the program stretches far beyond the grant funding,” OCRA Executive Director Fred Glynn said. “It often brings in private investment that keeps the momentum going long after the program ends. After many conversations with communities, we determined this round of Stellar will be open to individual communities, in addition to self-determined regions. This increases the number of communities able to apply and take advantage of what is truly a transformational opportunity.”

Eligible communities must be in good standing with the State of Indiana and not participating in existing large-scale capacity-building programs. Those considered a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development entitlement community are not eligible.

Interested applicants must attend a Stellar Pathways workshop this fall in order to submit a letter of interest and be eligible to apply. Upcoming workshop dates will be posted on OCRA’s website at ocra.in.gov/stellar.