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Dubois Strong reports workforce relocation brought 100 new residents; 2026 allotment remains at $60,000
Summary
Colton Pipenger told the Dubois County Council the Dubois Strong workforce relocation program added 100 new residents and an estimated $2.35 million in annual economic impact; the group proposes keeping its 2026 allotment at $60,000.
Colton Pipenger, executive director of Dubois Strong, told the Dubois County Council on July 28 that the nonprofit’s workforce relocation program and other initiatives contributed to local population and economic gains.
Pipenger said the program recorded 36 movers: 18 who joined the local workforce and 18 through a remote‑work relocation track, which he said brought a total of 100 new residents (the presentation aggregated other relocation impacts). He presented the program’s local impact estimates: $2,345,536 in annual economic activity, $280,709 in new state and local taxes, 13.7 new local jobs and an average income of $94,291.
Pipenger outlined four strategic focus areas for 2026 — comprehensive business retention and expansion, talent attraction and retention, quality of place, and infrastructure enhancement — and said Dubois Strong will continue projects tied to housing, transportation, regional connectivity and recreational programming. He noted a county housing study completed in 2023 and a childcare/early learning fund created by the Dubois County Community Foundation to support affordable childcare.
On funding, Pipenger reported the organization proposes maintaining its current county allotment: $60,000 for Dubois Strong and $40,000 for Grow Dubois County for 2026.
The council did not take a formal vote on the Dubois Strong request during the July 28 session; budget materials were distributed for small‑group review with the auditor and staff ahead of department head meetings scheduled for Aug. 13, 2025.
