Helping COMMUNITIES Thrive

Community Matters

What does your community need to thrive? Thrive’s Community Development division is dedicated to making Indiana communities happier and healthier. We work with local counties to help develop their community goals and find resources to support them. Our work is driven by your creativity and ideas, and we love watching our communities grow. Connect with us to learn more and begin to build your community today!

  • West Central Indiana is on the verge of launching an exciting new initiative called Intern Impact, a 10-week summer community-based internship (CBI) program designed to support high school graduates and students from local higher education institutions. This program spans the region's six counties—Clay, Putnam, Vermillion, Sullivan, Parke, and Vigo—offering participants an immersive experience that will shape their future career and life decisions in the region.

    …Read More

At Thrive, our goal is to support our local communities in West Central Indiana in whatever they need. We want to see your community grow through new infrastructure, sidewalk renovations, revitalizing historic downtowns, new businesses, housing, and more. Thrive has led hundreds of projects over the years throughout West Central Indiana. All you have to do is reach out to us with your newest creative ideas and projects!

Thrive serves our region as the Economic Development District (EDD) and is accredited by the the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). Thrive has served our region in this capacity since 1968 and creates and leads our comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS) for our region.

When your community approaches Thrive, our dedicated team will help you clarify your goals and strategize the best ways to reach them. We believe that planning is an essential step in community and economic development, and we prioritize it in our work. Once we have finished working with you to create a plan, Thrive will begin to reach out to state and federal organizations to apply for grants and seek funding partners for your projects! Our professionally trained grant writers and planners will draft, write, and edit your grant applications, giving you the best possible chance of receiving funding and support for your community!

Even after Thrive has connected you with resources and funding, our team will regularly check in and support your community throughout the development process. We believe that every community deserves to grow and experience revitalization, and we’re excited to stand with you every step of the way!

Our Focus

Our Community Development team is made up of highly skilled and creative individuals, each specializing in different aspects of community development. We use this broad set of skills to help bring your ideas to life!

Additionally, Thrive can help your community grow in the following areas:

  • Rural infrastructure
  • Historic property revitalization
  • Downtown development
  • Traffic Counting Program
  • Planning Support to Local Governments
  • Planning Support to INDOT (Central Office and District offices)
  • Planning Capacity Enhancements
  • Spark Revolving Loan Program for Businesses

  • And more!

We also connect our clients with several grants and programs, including:

  • EDA infrastructure programs

  • EPA: Brownfield programs

  • The Stellar Communities Program
  • Office for Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA)
  • Community Development Block Grants
  • Small Urban and Rural Transportation Planning Assistance Program (SURTP)

  • And more!

RESOURCES YOU CAN TRUST

Throughout our 50+ years of operation, Thrive has collected many resources to aid our clients in the community building process. From webinars to presentations to our very own app, Thrive is happy to provide these free resources to our clients, available below!

Resource Library

SPARK Revolving Loan Fund

Introduced by Thrive in 2022, the SPARK Loan Fund provides new small businesses with funds at a low interest! At Thrive, we believe in the power of small businesses to improve communities and their quality of life. That’s why we paired with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Economic Development Administration, along with several other programs and local governments, to bring SPARK to West Central Indiana.

SPARK provides businesses in Clay, Montgomery, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Vermillion, and Vigo counties with the funds to start or grow their businesses.

Meet Our Team

Our dedicated Team is passionate about making a positive impact in our communities. Meet the experts who are helping our communities Thrive!

Community Development Team

Kristi Whitacre
Kristi WhitacreDirector of Community & Economic Development

Kristi is a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in community development, marketing, and public relations. Her insights enable her to excel in her current role, making substantial impacts.

As a Community Development Educator with Purdue Extension, Kristi designed and delivered programs empowering local communities, fostering growth and equipping residents with skills to improve their quality of life.

Academically, Kristi completed a Bachelor of Science in Speech Communications/Public Relations at Iowa State University, with minors in Journalism and Marketing. She furthered her education with a Master of Science in Leadership Development from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College and a certification in Healthcare Management from Indiana University.

Kristi bridges organizational goals and community needs, making her an invaluable asset. Her dedication to education and growth affirms her readiness to tackle new challenges and drive change.

Kristine Krueger
Kristine KruegerAssociate Director of Community Development

Kristine Krueger, a seasoned grant administrator certified by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, collaborates on diverse projects with the public, elected officials, and stakeholders, focusing on economic development, infrastructure, and the environment. Proficient in labor standards, she serves as a labor standards officer for various infrastructure projects. Kristine excels in initiating and completing environmental reviews, ensuring compliance with NEPA and state requirements, linking financial resources for successful projects with funding from multiple state and federal agencies.

She played a pivotal role in establishing a regional sewer district in Northern Indiana, contributing to its expansion and construction projects.

Throughout her career, Kristine has been instrumental in securing and implementing federally funded projects through agencies like HUD, EDA, EPA, USDOT, and USDA. She manages state-funded initiatives, showcasing comprehensive skills in grant administration and project management across various projects, from infrastructure improvements to job creation and quality of life enhancements.

Jordan Cunningham
Jordan Cunningham Grant Writer

Jordan Cunningham is a dedicated professional committed to making a positive impact. Bringing a degree in public relations from IUPUI’s School of Journalism, she values the transformative power of effective communication. At Thrive West Central, Jordan excels as a proactive leader and has recently become a certified grant administrator through OCRA. Her focus lies on projects involving blight clearance, redevelopment, brownfields, and business development. Currently, she plays a pivotal role in leading a $2 million EDA project, showcasing expertise and unwavering dedication. Jordan collaborates closely with business owners, providing guidance for development and grant opportunities, and contributed significantly to the EDA Recompete Pilot Program application process. In her current position, she actively engages the public for Thrive projects, ensuring initiatives resonate with the community. Jordan’s hands-on approach establishes meaningful connections, enhancing the overall impact of agency endeavors. Her passion, expertise, and dedication make her an invaluable asset, propelling projects and reinforcing a commitment to positive change.

Karen Schneiders
Karen SchneidersSenior Planner

Karen Schneiders joined Thrive West Central in 2021 after retiring from the Colorado Department of Transportation. With an extensive and devoted career in Transportation Planning, she is unwavering in her commitment to enhancing the livability of communities. During her career, Karen collaborated closely with local agencies, working on diverse projects such as securing trail funding, finding transportation safety investment opportunities, preserving scenic easements, and restoring historic sites.

Karen’s wealth of experience is complemented by her educational background, which includes a bachelor’s degree in Urban/Regional Studies from Indiana State University and another in Organizational Leadership for Government and Non-Profits from Colorado State University.

In her leisure time, Karen actively participates in the Clay County chapter of Delta Theta Tau and enjoys quality moments at home with her dogs while exploring the rich offerings of Indiana.

Michael Shaw
Michael ShawPlanner

Michael Shaw possesses a comprehensive background in economics, geography, and public administration. After dedicating a decade to the medical supply industry, he earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from Indiana State University. This experience has honed his expertise in supply chain logistics, client relations, and operational efficiency.

Driven by a deep commitment to public service and a desire to effect positive change in communities, Michael returned to Indiana State University to pursue a Master of Public Administration, which he completed in Spring 2024. His advanced education equips him with the ability to effectively integrate his private-sector experience with his public administration training to lead impactful initiatives. Recognized for his sharp analytical skills, strategic thinking, and dedication to community development, Michael is well-prepared to make a substantial contribution in his forthcoming professional endeavors.

Chris Hicks
Chris HicksData Collection Specialist

Chris joined Thrive West Central in August 2023 as our Data Collection Analyst, responsible for setting up tube and video traffic counting devices on roads following INDOT policies. His role extends beyond routine tasks, contributing to effective traffic management and infrastructure planning. Adhering to strict policies ensures the efficiency and safety of the road network.

In addition, Chris conducts an essential inventory of roadway signs for rural counties, vital for driver safety. He recognizes the potential hazards of defective or missing signs, actively working to prevent confusion and traffic crashes in the community.

Chris, a devoted family man with four children, balances his professional and personal life, exemplifying a holistic approach. His commitment to both roles makes him a valuable asset to Thrive West Central and the community at large.

Lauren Hoogenboom
Lauren HoogenboomData Collection Specialist

Admin Team

Ryan Keller
Ryan KellerChief Executive Officer
Shelly Madden
Shelly MaddenChief Operating Officer
Gabriel Cheek
Gabriel CheekChief Technology Officer & Marketing
Dana McLain
Dana McLainController
Cody Bender
Cody BenderDirector of Finance
Ashley Gordon
Ashley GordonDirector of Human Resources
Chris Durcholz
Chris DurcholzLeadership Coach
Shelly Amerman
Shelly AmermanPublic Relations Manager
Jonathan Shelley
Jonathan ShelleyCybersecurity Engineer
Alison Bryant
Alison BryantAccount Specialist
Caden Mason
Caden MasonStaff Accountant
Becky Edwards
Becky EdwardsReception
Dianna Presslor
Dianna PresslorReception

Experience the Thrive Difference 

Choose Thrive West Central Community Development Team and turn development challenges into community-enhancing successes. Connect with us today and let’s build thriving communities together.

Contact us today to learn more about our offerings and how we can help your community thrive.

  • CEDS

    COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

    The CEDS lays the groundwork for where we want to see our region grow over the next five years. It will promote strategic conversations about economic development in our region, as well as encourage

    …Read More

  • Terre Haute, IN –– Thrive West Central is thrilled to announce one of our newest innovative initiatives for seniors and aging individuals in our region, the Thrive Foundation. This foundation will serve to support, implement, and develop creative

    …Read More

  • West Central Indiana – The Wabash River Regional Development Authority (RDA) submitted its comprehensive READI proposal this week, totaling nearly 0 million in projects for West Central Indiana.

    Through the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI), the Indiana Economic Development

    …Read More

  • It can be hard to access capital as a new or growing business. Thrive West Central is dedicated to encouraging the entrepreneurial spirit that drives business development in our communities. Working with local governments, the Just Transition Fund, the Economic

    …Read More