The Year 2005 continued to be filled with exciting ideas, dreams and realities as the AREC worked to implement projects identified within our Strategic Plan and Annual Public Hearing Process. The activities focused on empowering residents, improving overall quality of life, and obtaining financial sustainability for AREC Residents.

Construction activities involving AREC were abundant as we watched new housing construction in three areas of Town, homeowner occupied residential rehabilitation of five (5) homes through the AREC in partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, new baseball activities for children in our Austin Park System, a new commercial business venture and we cannot forget the continued construction activity on the Town’s Storm Drainage System.

Beautification efforts continue and we are all proud of the Austin PRIDE Award Program having recognized 53 residences and 8 businesses to date which have  consistently or recently partaken of efforts to improve or maintain their property in good overall condition and set an example to others throughout Austin. A lack of community pride was identified within our Strategic Plan as an area of major concern, programs such as the Austin PRIDE Award has made remarkable strides in changing this opinion of our town. To further promote the PRIDE efforts, AREC has continued to provide assistance to 2 established Neighborhood Associations this year, the South 1st Street Neighborhood and the Austin Main Street Neighborhood. Both groups have become active and vibrant groups within our community. During 2006 we will establish at least one new association. A new program for 2005 was the Austin Adopt-a-Street Program, tailored after the INDOT Adopt-a-Highway Program. This will incorporate approximately 25 various local community and school groups in a well coordinated and methodical plan of promoting and keeping our streets and sidewalks clean throughout the year.

The lack of basic health care for all residents continues to be an issue we deal with in Austin. We are very fortunate to have Dr. William Cooke on board in our new Primary Care Center, but alas, his clinic has such a patient load that no new patients have been accepted since September 2005. This has been a blessing to insure the continued success of Dr. Cooke’s practice, yet we are now faced with the need for a second physician. During 2005, our Executive Director was appointed to the Indiana Rural Health Association, in which she is an active board member. Sadly, during 2005, Scott County lost the designation as a HPSA, Health Professional Shortage Area, which has a direct impact on our ability to recruit and keep young health professionals in Austin. Through her appointment to the IRHA Board of Directors, our Executive Director has worked with the Indiana State Department of Health to reopen the HPSA monitoring process and in 2006, she will be directly involved with the reevaluation and possible designation for the Austin area based upon our demographics and lack of medical resources.

In August, the AREC conducted a local health survey in conjunction with the Scott Memorial Hospital and Scott County Health Department. The results of this survey will enable the AREC and our partner agencies to plan for new medical resources in the next 3-5 years and assess our current health care needs and shortage areas. The partnerships with Scott Memorial Hospital and the county medical staff continue to thrive as we serve the residents of our enterprise community. To date, more than 10,000 medical visits have occurred through our partnerships. The AREC continues our partnership with Scott Memorial Hospital and the Scott County Health Department to provide our annual Health Fair Celebration (93 booths in 2005) in an ongoing attempt to promote preventative services within our community and hopefully reduce the need for major hospitalization or chronic care services in the areas of lifestyle behaviors and preventable diseases. Programs such as the health fair also promote “healthy families” and strive to provide resources to assist families with all areas of need, including the Scott County Clearinghouse, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Scott County, Center for Women and Families, the United Way and CAPE programs.

It is a well know fact that the future of Austin lies with our youth. To improve our community, we must instill the ideas of a better life and teach opportunities to our students at an early age. Programs including the Future Leaders of Austin, the Austin Youth Volunteer Corps and the Junior Leaders of Austin reach well into the High School and Middle School ranks to accomplish this goal. In 2005 we saw the class sizes increase from 87 in the Spring Semester to 102 students in the Fall Semester. These FLA and JLA students meet monthly in a cooperative effort with the Scott County School District 1 and undergoes a vigorous leadership program covering topics from “Living in Poverty is not for ME!,” “Health Care for All,” “WE CAN CHANGE FOR THE BETTER”, “Serving our Residents,” and of course the sessions include components of local, state and federal government to teach the students that the path to a better future begins now.

The Austin Youth Volunteer Corps are a group of students willing to meet after school and on weekends to learn about true volunteerism and make a difference within Austin. Projects such as Family Fun Nights, reading programs, cleaning our town streets & sidewalks and raking leaves for those in need of assistance are only part of the work these students undertake. The AREC Youth Development Center, located on the 3rd floor of the old Austin Middle School continues to thrive. In this center we provide Movie Nights for K-3 and AMS Students, Senior Night activities for AHS graduating seniors and their parents, summer school programs such as transitional kindergarten and first grade, ISTEP remediation and SAT/ACT preparation classes. All activities provided through the center are free to students of the Austin School System and residents of our community. In 2005, over 1500 students received services through our Youth Center.

Other educational activities include the awarding of 5 scholarships to AHS graduating Seniors and 18 graduating FLA Students to provide a small financial incentive for continuing their education with the idea of “bringing back” something to Austin – in essence the “planting of a seed” does not always mean bricks and mortar, but can just as effectively include the most valuable resource we have – our children! To help families prepare for college or vocational opportunities, AREC conducted 2 Senior Night Programs last year, providing FAFSA counseling on-site, scholarship information and college recruiters for students and parents to have an additional chance for help with paperwork or to search out additional funding programs.

Economic Development continues to be slow in Austin; however, we are pleased to announce the changing of ownership for two (2) businesses and through our Austin Main Street District, the local businesses have made some increases in overall revenue for 2005 and feel more optimistic about a long term future in our Town. A big push during 2005 was with INDOT to solidify the SR256 and Hwy 31 Construction Project which will widen our downtown streets and intersection. Due to the continued delay on this project, most of our property owners within the construction area are reluctant to make façade improvements or invest new dollars into their businesses. After a combined meeting with Town Officials and the INDOT Commissioner, an agreement was reached which will see this project through completion during the 2006 construction season.

Our Executive Director also serves as a board member on the Indiana Reinvestment Corporation, a New Markets Tax Corporation and the Indiana Association of Community Economic Development, both with the desire to bring new business to our community. Through the Austin Main Street Program, AREC continues to provide services to local businesses though the Business Association and will work with the homeowners in the district through the Main Street Neighborhood Association. The AREC plays a vital role in many community functions and festivals, particularly now that we a re a Certified Indiana Main Street Community.

During 2005 we coordinated and assisted the Jennings Township Volunteer Fire Department with their annual Austin Fireman’s Festival, the Scott County Back-to-School Bash, Austin Elementary School PTO Carnival, Psi Iota Xi Christmas Craft Show, and in excess of five (5) events coordinated by the Austin Main Street Program to promote activity in our business district. As an organization we are proud to assist in any way possible and encourage all residents to participate in all activities offered within our community.

As we look forward to 2006, the Board of Directors will continue to monitor the ever changing needs of our community and pledges that any service provided within our limited scope of funding, will meet a current priority need within our Strategic Plan and improve the overall quality of life for our residents. Volunteers are always welcome and greatly needed with our Committees and local projects. Through our efforts as a Community, Austin will continue to grow and thrive and provide additional sustainable opportunities for our residents.  

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