Lt. Governor Becky Skillman has often said that rural development happens by choice and not by chance. As a local and state elected official, Becky has a long history of supporting rural areas in building stronger, more sustainable communities.

In 2005, Lt. Governor Skillman became the first-ever Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. Under the leadership of the Daniels-Skillman Administration, House Enrolled Act 1008 (2005) created the Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA), making rural areas a priority for the first time in Indiana's history. As an elected official, Lt. Governor Skillman believes that the state must promote programs that strengthen our communities and contribute to their economic development and sustainability. In her capacity as Lt. Governor, she has made it a priority to invest time and resources in encouraging economic prosperity and viability in rural Indiana.

Since 2005, Lt. Governor Skillman has awarded millions of dollars to support the development of rural communities. Over $91 million dollars has been distributed to rural areas through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which promotes long-term community development through infrastructure, quality of life, health and safety, urgent need, economic development, microenterprise assistance, and similar development projects.

In order to support workforce and educational development and rural entrepreneurship, the Rural Capacity Grant program was created in 2006. This program seeks to encourage entrepreneurship in rural areas and provide opportunities to enhance workforce skills and educational opportunities for Hoosiers in rural areas, which are issues at the heart of Lt. Governor Skillman's plan for Indiana. Since 2006, Lt. Governor Skillman has awarded over $4 million to fund 34 workforce and educational development and rural entrepreneurship projects that benefit Hoosiers. Additionally, Lt. Governor Skillman led the charge in creating the Advancing Women in Business seminars, which connect female entrepreneurs in rural areas to business resources and entrepreneurial networks.

In her capacity as Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, Lt. Governor Skillman also oversees the Indiana Main Street program, which encourages economic development through building and sustaining downtown areas in Hoosier communities. In 2007, Lt. Governor Skillman awarded $213,600 to fund 11 downtown enhancement projects through the newly established Downtown Enhancement Grant program. Recently, Lt. Governor Skillman launched the Indiana Artisan Development Project to promote artisan entrepreneurship and attract visitors to the state.

Lt. Governor Skillman has long been a champion of rural development in Indiana and continues to support rural communities through unique community development programming and grant programs. Through Lt. Governor Skillman's guidance and leadership, the state has implemented many rural-serving programs in a very short time. Lt. Governor Skillman believes that in order for the state to thrive, rural

Indiana must thrive. That is why she remains committed and passionate about increasing the quality of life in the state's rural communities.