Indiana 15 Regional Planning Commission is a multi-county governmental agency established under Indiana Code 36-7-7. The Commission was formally established October 23, 1973 with the counties of Crawford, Dubois and Orange as the initial region. Originally named Patoka Lake Regional Planning Commission, the primary focus was to bring these three counties together to work regionally around the development of Patoka Lake. Perry and Spencer Counties joined in 1974. With the focus moving away from Patoka Lake and onto the larger region, the name changed to Indiana 15 Regional Planning Commission in 1978. This designation was based on the 18 regions identified by Governor Bowen’s Water Resources Study Commission, with this region designated as “Region 15”. Pike County joined in 1993, establishing the final footprint of the region.
Indiana 15 is a designated Economic Development District (EDD) through the US Department of Commerce- Economic Development Administration and a Regional/Rural Planning Organization (RPO) through the Indiana Department of Transportation.
Indiana 15 provides support to the counties, cities and towns in the region through grant writing and administration. We provide support in economic and community development planning, but we are not involved in recommending or implementing any land use planning or zoning. We are not a regulatory agency, nor do we have any enforcement authority.
Throughout its years of service, Indiana 15 has been involved with a multitude of community and economic development projects bringing millions of dollars into the regional economy.
Since 1973 Indiana 15 has been involved with a multitude of community and economic development projects bringing millions of dollars into the regional economy.
The staff of Indiana 15 Regional Planning Commission conducts the daily activities and operations of the six-county commission. There are five certified grant administrators on staff to service the program requirements of Community Development Block Grant funds for the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affair's programs. The Commission also provides for staffing of specialized services in revolving loan fund administration, computer-aided mapping, municipal codifications, infrastructure development, and community and economic development planning.
Nathan assumed the role of Executive Director of Indiana 15 in 2023. He oversees the professional, technical and administrative services to our six-county district. In his position, he reports to the Board of Directors about the performance of this regionally outcome-based organization. Nathan is an accredited grant writer through the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. He is responsible for administration of CDBG funded projects, grant applications and administration of other grants, and provides assistance on other projects which Indiana 15 is developing. Nathan also conducts U.S. Department of Labor Standards Verification on construction projects. Prior to his arrival at Indiana 15, he worked at Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial in Lincoln City. He is a graduate of Brescia University in Owensboro, KY with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies with Secondary Education, and received his Master of Public Administration from Western Kentucky University. He has been with Indiana 15 Regional Planning Commission since March 2006.
Cheri serves as the Financial Administrator for Indiana 15 and manages the accounts and contract financial records through Grant Management Systems (GMS) software, maintains personnel management files, prepares the annual budget of the Commission, conducts inventory control, maintains all board records, files state and federal financial requirements, assists with the codifications and newsletter. Cheri also administrates the Crawford County Revolving Loan Fund. Cheri joined Indiana 15 in December 2014 as a Project Assistant and is a certified grant administrator with the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. She has an Associate’s Degree in Finance from the University of Kentucky-Owensboro Community College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Brescia. Prior to arrival at Indiana 15, she worked for the Perry County Chamber of Commerce.
Joining Indiana 15 in March of 2018, Jenny serves as Housing Administrator. She is a certified grant administrator with the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. In her role at Indiana 15, Jenny is responsible for CDBG grant writing and administration, conducting income surveys, verifying labor standards and environmental reviews. Jenny holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Southern Indiana and is a life-long resident of Spencer County. Prior to her arrival at Indiana 15, Jenny worked in local schools and in Adult Education.
Serves as the Project Assistant of Indiana 15 Regional Planning Commission. Lindsey greets visitors to our office, answers the phone, maintains all board records, backups, and website. She also assists with codifications and the newsletter, conducts inventory control, and is additional office support for staff. Lindsey joined the Indiana 15 staff in June of 2018.
Jessica graduated from Indiana University in 2005 with a Bachelor’s of Art in History. Jessica brings more than 20 years of administrative, analytic and financial experience to Indiana 15. Most recently as the Dubois County Soil & Water Conservation District Administrative Assistant where she worked with the Executive Director and NRCS District Conservationist to maintain compliance with both administrative and fiscal policies as they pertain to the public sector. She grew up on a 30-acre farm in Paoli and currently lives in St Anthony with her partner and two children.
Anthony is a Project Administrator at Indiana 15 Regional Planning Commission, where he leverages his experience in community development and grant writing to support impactful projects. Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, he now resides in Jasper with his wife and family. With a deep commitment to enhancing local communities, Anthony’s expertise plays a key role in advancing regional initiatives.
