50+ Years of Community Partnership

Administrative Resources Association (ARa) was founded November 28, 1973, with assistance and funding from the Lilly Endowment. Created using Indiana's Intergovernmental Cooperation Act, ARa was designed to provide shared-cost technical community development staff to help smaller cities compete for resources and comply with complex federal regulations.

Today, ARa is a governmental association owned by nine Indiana cities, operating on a not-for-profit basis. We've developed and administered more federal, state, and private community development projects than any other organization in Indiana.

Our Mission

ARa improves the quality of life of its member communities through proactive development and implementation of community and economic development projects.

Our Vision

We believe the communities we serve should be places where all persons have the opportunity to live and work in an environment that provides economic and social opportunity.

Our Region

Map of Indiana displaying locations of various cities and counties, including Martinsville, Brown County, Nashville, Columbus, Seymour, Bedford, Mitchell, North Vernon, Greensburg, Henry County, Batesville, and Bates County, with city names and marker icons.
Historic stone courthouse with a central tower, red slate roof, arched windows, surrounded by green trees and a landscaped lawn, under a clear blue sky.

  • Mayor: John Irrgang

    County: Ripley and Franklin

    Key Employers: Hillenbrand Industries, Batesville Tool and Die

    www.batesvilleindiana.us

    ARa Member since 1973

  • Mayor: Sam Craig

    County: Lawrence

    Community Size: 13,413

    Key Employers: GM Power Train, IU Health

    bedford.in.us

    ARa member since 1973

  • Mayor: Mary Ferdon

    County: Bartholomew

    Community Size: 44,061

    Key Employers: Cummins Engine Company

    columbus.in.us

    ARa member since 1973

  • Mayor: Joshua Marsh

    County: Decatur

    Community Size: 11,492

    Key Employers: Honda

    cityofgreensburg.com

    ARa member since 1973

  • Mayor: Kenny Costin

    County: Morgan

    Community Size: 11,828

    Key Employers: IU Health, Nice-Pak Products Inc., TOA USA LLC

    martinsville.in.gov

    ARa member since 2017

  • Mayor: Don Caudell

    County: Lawrence

    Community Size: 3,900

    mitchell.in.gov

    ARa member since 2024

  • Mayor: Shawn Gerkin

    County: Jennings

    Community Size: 6,728

    Key Employers: Muscatatuck Center for Complex Operations, Lowes Distribution Center

    northvernon-in.gov

    ARa member since 1973

  • Mayor: Mike Pavey

    County: Rush

    Community Size: 6,341

    Key Employers: Copeland Industries, Fujitsu Ten Corporation: Intat Precision, Inc., Harcourt Industries, The Trane Company

    cityofrushville.in.gov

    ARa member since 1989

  • Mayor: Matthew Nicholson

    County: Jackson

    Community Size: 17,503

    Key Employers: Aisin USA, Wal-Mart Distribution Center, Valeo Sylvania

    seymourcity.com

    ARa member since 1973

  • The Board of Directors approved guidelines, procedures, and fees for new “members” on September 13, 2001, which allow for two new associates to be accepted per year. Associate members do not serve as board members of the organization, nor have any ownership equity in the organization, but do receive the same grant services as members.

    Associate members:

    • Town of Nashville

    • Brown County

    • Henry County

    • Jennings County

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