Patron in the City: Jessica Potts

We believe that passionate individuals can spur change in their communities. We refer to those individuals as Patrons in the City, dedicating their time, sweat, and energy to building vibrant communities.

Hindostan Falls, nestled in the heart of Martin County, Indiana, was once a bustling, premier frontier town. Although it was wiped out in the 1800s by yellow fever and never rebuilt, it remains a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, with strong historical significance and striking natural beauty.

Jessica Potts, Executive Director of the Martin County Alliance for Economic Growth, is proud to call Martin County home. Growing up in the area gave her a deep understanding of its local strengths and challenges, and she uses that knowledge to develop and enhance the county. Her work aims to support small businesses, attract investments, and foster sustainable growth in Martin County. Jessica is particularly passionate about projects that improve the quality of place, expand housing options, and build more partnerships that strengthen the local economy.

Sunset over a rushing river with trees framing the foreground — The White River at Hindostan Falls

At the 2020 relaunch of Hindostan Days, a now annual event celebrating the local area’s history and people, Jessica recognized a need within the community: a permanent gathering space to eat, laugh, and spend time together by the gorgeous White River. She set to work with the Martin County Alliance on plans to improve an open field in Hindostan Falls with a shelter, complete with tables, bench seating, and a two-sided fireplace. The Martin County community came together in force to support the project, reaching the goal in just 18 days. With 144 patrons contributing to the Patronicity campaign, they unlocked an extra $40,000 from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s CreatINg Places program.

We spoke with Jessica to learn more about the Hindostan Falls shelter and how rural communities can rally for change.

Patronicity: Why do you love where you live and work? Tell us about your community!

Jessica: I love where I live because it’s home. It’s where my roots, family and relationships are deeply rooted. I’m inspired by the potential that Martin County has. Rural places like ours are built on resilience and strong connections. I love being a part of its future, and helping it grow while preserving what makes it special. It’s meaningful work, and I consider myself fortunate to play a role in working toward the future.

Patronicity: Can you share more about your project and why it was so necessary?

Jessica: The project I was involved in was building a beautiful shelter house at a hidden gem in Martin County, Hindostan. Hindostan was once the county seat, but was later wiped out by yellow fever. The community never rebuilt. People travel from everywhere to explore the history, walk on the flat rock that takes you out to the middle of the White River, and enjoy the sounds of the falls. The property is owned by DNR, but it’s a beloved area in the County. There used to be a shelter house on the grounds, and people gathered to have family reunions and picnics there. There wasn’t that space to gather anymore, and so many visit the area, I felt like it was important to create that gathering space again.

Patronicity: What inspired you to get involved and build this project?

Jessica: In 2020, a grassroots effort successfully brought Hindostan Days back to life. Originally a one-time event held in the 1980s, a group of community members saw the value in reviving it and made it happen. Now held on the first Saturday in October, Hindostan Days features local makers, live music, and food trucks. Fast forward six years, and the event continues to grow, drawing larger crowds each year. In that first year, we set up a large tent to give people a place to gather, and after watching the community come together to put it up, it became clear that the event needed a permanent structure.

A permanent shelter house in the grass full of people seated at benches, with market gazebos in the background — The shelter in full use at the 2025 Hindostan Days festival

Patronicity: What have been the results of your crowdfunding campaign? How has the project changed your community?

Jessica: The community rallied together and exceeded our fundraising goal, making it possible to build a beautiful shelter house at the Hindostan grounds. Since then, the space has become a gathering place for family reunions, weddings, baby showers, and even simple moments, like stopping to enjoy a picnic on a beautiful day.

Patronicity: How has the community responded to your project?

Jessica: The community has taken great pride in our accomplishments of getting the shelter house built. Many love the area, and the shelter house, and it means a little more knowing that so many were involved in making it a reality!

Patronicity: What do you hope community members take away from this project?

Jessica: I hope the Hindostan Shelter House stands as a lasting reminder, not just for our community, but for those around us, that when people come together, resources don’t define what’s possible. With collaboration and determination, anything can be achieved.

Patronicity: How did the matching IHCDA CreatINg Places dollars improve your overall project and provide greater impact?

Jessica: This project wouldn’t have been possible without the matching grant from IHCDA’s CreatINg Places. Raising $40,000 is a significant lift for a small rural community, but so many people believed in the vision and rallied behind it. We were proud to meet that goal, though reaching the other half of the amount awarded through CreatINg Places would have been a challenge without their support.

Patronicity: If someone wanted to become more involved in their community, what advice would you give them?

Jessica: Start by figuring out what you enjoy and care about. The easiest way to stay involved is to do something you’re already passionate about. Most importantly, don’t underestimate what you bring to the table. Communities thrive when people show up, share their ideas, and get involved in ways that feel meaningful to them.

GIF showing the empty field before, transitioning into the permanent structure — Before and after transformation from an open field to the permanent shelter

Get Involved!

What are you passionate about? Whether it’s a space for your community to gather, a garden to support the local pollinators, or art installations to beautify the streets, Patronicity can help you make your dream a reality. Take the first step at patronicity.com/start.

The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA), in partnership with Patronicity, developed CreatINg Places, a place-based crowdgranting program. CreatINg Places supports projects that activate underutilized public spaces or create new public spaces in Indiana. The program transforms communities by harnessing the power of crowdfunding combined with a matching grant from the IHCDA.

Since 2016, CreatINg Places has supported over 350 projects across the state.