Nashville, Indiana – Brown County and Indiana University are preparing to deepen a long-standing relationship through a new collaboration aimed at strengthening rural life while honoring local identity. Beginning in the 2026–27 academic year, the county will partner with the Indiana University Center for Rural Engagement as part of the Sustaining Hoosier Communities initiative, a program that connects university resources with community-driven priorities.
The partnership represents the latest chapter in a connection between Brown County and IU that spans more than a century. From shared artistic roots to environmental stewardship and public health work, the relationship has evolved alongside the county itself. Local and university leaders say the new collaboration is designed to build on that history while responding to present-day challenges and opportunities.
Sustaining Hoosier Communities brings together IU Bloomington faculty, their courses, and hundreds of students to support projects identified by local communities. Areas of focus typically include quality of place, public health, business development, education, and natural resource management. Rather than imposing outside ideas, the initiative emphasizes local leadership and community voices, with students and faculty serving as partners in implementation.
“Brown County is a small community with big shoulders — creative, resilient and proud of its roots,” said Brian Tadlock, chair of the Brown County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Our partnership with Indiana University will help us build a future where our residents and visitors thrive together.”
Brown County’s relationship with IU dates back to 1922, when renowned artist T.C. Steele was appointed artist-in-residence at the university. Two decades later, the county further cemented that bond with the 1942 donation of the Lilly-Dickey Woods to IU, a move that advanced environmental research and conservation. Since then, collaborations have continued across disciplines, reflecting the county’s strong ties to art, nature, and education.
University leaders say the Sustaining Hoosier Communities initiative is well suited to Brown County’s character and ambitions. “We are delighted to work alongside Brown County, an artistic and innovative community,” said Kyla Cox Deckard, interim executive director of the IU Center for Rural Engagement. “The Sustaining Hoosier Communities partnership will connect local expertise with inspired, energetic students and faculty to bring community-led initiatives to life.”
The timing of the collaboration coincides with new planning efforts underway in Brown County. In recent years, increased innkeeper’s tax revenue, driven by a strong tourism economy, has created opportunities for long-term thinking about infrastructure, services, and quality of life. County leaders say the challenge lies in balancing the needs of residents with those of the millions of visitors who come each year.
Tourism plays a central role in Brown County’s economy, with an estimated 2 million visitors annually drawn by its scenery, arts culture, and events. The county seat of Nashville, located about 19 miles east of the IU Bloomington campus, is home to the historic Brown County Art Colony, which continues to shape the region’s identity. Other landmarks include Brown County State Park, the largest state park in Indiana, and the Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival, which has earned national recognition.
At the same time, Brown County remains a rural community of about 15,600 residents, spread across towns such as Helmsburg, Story, Bean Blossom, and Gnaw Bone. Local leaders say that growth and popularity bring both benefits and pressures, making thoughtful planning essential.
The Brown County Quality of Life Committee will serve as the community coordinating committee for the Sustaining Hoosier Communities partnership. The committee represents a wide range of county interests and was originally formed to review and recommend how innkeeper’s tax funds are allocated. Its guiding mission is to ensure that revenue generated by tourism supports infrastructure and services that improve daily life for residents, while also sustaining the visitor experience.
Through the partnership with IU, the county hopes to expand its capacity to explore solutions that reflect this balance. By tapping into academic expertise and student energy, local leaders see an opportunity to test ideas, gather data, and develop strategies that might otherwise be out of reach for a small rural county.
This will be the seventh Indiana county to participate in the Sustaining Hoosier Communities initiative. The program has received national recognition for its impact, including being named a regional winner of the 2025 W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Engagement Scholarship Award. It was also recognized in 2019 as the Outstanding Program of the Year by the Educational Partnerships for Innovation in Communities Network.
As part of the planning process, Brown County and the IU Center for Rural Engagement will host a series of community listening sessions in the coming months. These sessions are designed to gather input from residents, identify priorities, and shape potential projects for the 2026–27 academic year.
The first session is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Seasons Lodge Event Center, located at 560 State Road 46 in Nashville. A second session will be held at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 19 at Van Buren Elementary School, 4045 State Road 135 in Nashville.
Organizers encourage residents to attend, share ideas, and ask questions about the partnership and its goals. Those interested in participating or learning more may contact the Brown County Convention and Visitors Bureau at [email protected] or by calling 812-988-7303.
Local and university leaders say the success of the initiative will depend on community engagement. By grounding projects in local knowledge and lived experience, they hope the collaboration will produce results that are both practical and lasting, strengthening Brown County while preserving the qualities that make it unique.
