Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
A self-described “glass half full” kind of guy, Denny Spinner has always looked for opportunities where others might see obstacles. That outlook has served him well during his time as mayor of Huntingburg, executive director of Indiana’s Office of Community and Rural Affairs, and in his current role as executive director of Indiana University’s Center for Rural Engagement.
His propensity for seeing potential in small, rural communities was recognized Tuesday when he was presented the Becky Skillman Regional Leadership award. The award was presented during the Regional Opportunity Initiatives Annual Report to the Region, held at the French Lick Resort.
Tina Peterson, ROI president and CEO, said of Spinner, “Denny’s career has been defined by a penchant for service and unwavering commitment to rural Indiana. He has always called the Indiana Uplands home.”
Spinner grew up in Huntingburg and after graduating from Indiana State University, began a career in broadcasting. He was elected mayor in 2011 and in 2014 the city was named a Stellar Community, which would spark a revitalization effort that continues to this day. Projects included a new streetscape in downtown and Market Park, a vibrant outdoor space connecting downtown to Old Town Hall. In 2020, he went to work for OCRA, the agency started by former Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman.
Spinner said Skillman was an early mentor in his career as a public servant.
“Becky has been a mentor and example of what service is about,” Spinner said to the gathering of more than 300.
He said the Stellar award gave Huntingburg the confidence to strive for more.
“We made great strides in housing and we engaged and supported a growing Latino community. The work not only transformed Huntingburg, it inspired other communities to take on aspirational projects,” he said. “Huntingburg is really no different than other rural communities. It’s about building on your strengths. Leadership can make this happen in any community.”
Spinner said he has been fortunate to work with talented teams who “are passionate about improving life for rural Hoosiers.” He also thanked his wife Shari for her support and credited his faith as a constant in his life.
“Amid challenges and uncertainty, there is always opportunity,” he said. “No matter what happens around us, keep focused on the work in front of us.”
ROI presented several other awards recognizing innovation in education, workforce and quality of place in the Indiana Uplands.
ROI awards
Regional Collaboration award was presented to Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane’s Technology Transfer office and Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington’s Cook Center for Entrepreneurship.
The two partnered to create a free, online course that teaches small businesses how to work with federal labs, such as Crane, and use tech transfer to grow their business. Since the program was introduced, more than 40 businesses have taken the course.
Employer Innovation award was presented to PRD Inc., a Lawrence County manufacturer. PRD has been active in developing the next generation of talent by offering apprenticeships and participating in ROI’s UpSkill program. To learn more about expanding those opportunities, PRD President Mark Murphy traveled to Switzerland to look at the Swiss internship model and PRD annually welcomes Lawrence County eighth-graders to tour PRD on Manufacturing Day.
PRD opened in 1979 and is a custom injection molder serving global customers.
INvets received the Talent Innovation award for its work aiding military veterans who are re-entering civilian life after the completion of their military service. INvets, which received two nominations, connects veterans with Indiana employers. A nonprofit, INVets has built up a network of more than 500 employer-partners and the staff helps veterans update their resumes and prepare for job interviews. Through their work, 150 new residents have moved to the Indiana Uplands.
STEM Innovation award was presented to Southridge High School and the Huntingburg Regional Airport. Students in Dubois County are literally reaching new heights thanks to an aviation partnership between Southridge High School and the Huntingburg Regional Airport. The aviation program is offered through the Patoka Valley Career & Technical Cooperative and provides an overview of the aviation industry and career paths.
A Dubois County resource center that helps the Latino and Hispanic community received the Diversity Innovation award. ALASI’s mission is to remove barriers and serve as a bridge to connect families with the support they need to thrive in their new home. Dubois County’s population of Latino and Hispanic residents is 10.2%. In 2024, ALASI recorded more than 500 client appointments. ALASI also hosts the annual Huntingburg Latino Fest.
The Quality of Place Attraction award was presented to the city of Washington and Daviess County Economic Development Corporation for its Commons project. The unique outdoor gathering space in downtown Washington represents a $3.1 million investment that will give current and future community events a vibrant home. The project transformed three-quarters of a city block and includes the German American Stage, TrueScripts Market Pavilion and Knights of Columbus Event Pavilion.
Quality of Place Innovation award was presented to the Owen News, a nonprofit news organization covering Owen County. Established in 2022 to restore local news coverage, the Owen News “offers a testament of what is possible when a community pushes back against what might seem inevitable,” read the nomination. Grant support from the Owen County Community Foundation will support the endeavor for the next three years.