Community Development Director Launches Leadership Program, Reports New Initiatives

From the Hartford City Common Council meeting on March 2, 2026

Community Development Director Cheri Brown reported several new initiatives to the council on March 2.

A new leadership program is launching in partnership with Hartford City, Montpelier, the Community Foundation, Indiana Farm Bureau, Chamber Leadership Academy, and the Ball Brothers Foundation, which is providing funding. Meetings are scheduled on Tuesdays from 11 AM to 2 PM with lunch provided, with capacity for 10 to 20 people in the first round.

Brown also reported that high school freshmen and sophomores are visiting Ivy Tech in Marion for career-focused opportunities, the People's Marketplace is returning in April for a spring run, and various grant opportunities are being pursued for city departments.

Additionally, the January 5 salary ordinance amendment (Ordinance 2025-15) corrected an omission — Brown's Community Development Director position had been inadvertently left out of the original salary ordinance.

Source: Hartford City Common Council Minutes, March 2, 2026 (hartfordcity.net)