SUCCESS TOGETHER
Working with the community, for the community
Kegan has been working to improve the City of Tipton since 2016. Throughout this time, Kegan has been committed to inclusive leadership that valued the input of all community members.
MISSION-DRIVEN
58 of the 92 counties, all of which are rural, are projected to experience population decline.
Tipton does not have to be a rural community that suffers this fate. In the 1950s and 1960s, Tipton had over 5,600 residents and today Tipton has fewer than 5,300. For Tipton to improve its outlook, it needs to begin making investments in projects that attract and retain people in the community. Adding new houses will not be enough because Tipton still lacks the vital amenities families desire and expect.
Family
Kegan & Keilah are high school sweethearts
Kegan and Keilah met working at the local grocery store together and have been together over 16 years. In 2020, they welcomed their beautiful, ornery daughter Rio into their family!
Education
Kegan has continued his education
Kegan earned a Bachelor’s degree in accounting and information systems from Butler University. Since then, he has explored numerous education opportunities including:
- Indiana Real Estate Brokers License
- Economic Development courses from Oklahoma Universities Economic Development Institute
- Economic & Community Development courses through Ball State’s Indiana Communities Institute.
- Economic Development courses through the International Economic Development Council
Projects
Kegan has been a consistent champion for Tipton
Kegan began helping Tipton as a volunteer for the Tipton County Chamber of Commerce and Tipton Main Street Association. Kegan’s passion has resulted in numerous projects getting completed that have helped to improve Tipton.
- Served on the committee that completed The Alley project (2017)
- Applied and received a $150,000 grant for the City Splash Pad project (2019)
- Was the project lead for Now Entering Tipton production with WIPB (2019)
- Successfully worked with City Redevelopment Commission, City Council, and City Planning Commission to create the Riverfront District (2019)
- Led the team that drafted the Downtown Revitalization Plan for downtown Tipton (2019-2020)
- Successfully recruited Brett Morrow to invest in the former Citizens National Bank building (2019-Present)
- Partnered with Jim Purvis to relaunch the latest trails initiative that successfully earned a grant for trail expansion (2019)
- Launched the broadband initiative that identified the need in Tipton County for reliable broadband. This effort successfully recruited Smithville to invest in fiber deployment (2019)
- Successfully earned Tipton a Top 10 Nomination in T-Mobile’s Hometown Techover Challenge (2021)
- Created the first Tipton County Leadership Program and graduated 22 people (2021)
- Created a strategic partnership with IU Health Plans to provide Chamber members access to affordable healthcare options (2021)
- Successfully earned the Tipton County Chamber an award nomination from the Techpoint’s Mira Awards Community Impact Award (2021)
- Successfully led the Tipton County Chamber to be a finalist for Indiana Chamber of the Year (2022)
- Awarded a $99,000 grant from the USDA in 2022 to start a small business revolving loan fund in Tipton County and successfully invested those funds into local businesses in 2023.
