Access to good shopping is always a plus, and Decatur County is the hub of Southeastern Indiana for department and discount store necessities. For the more whimsical buyer, a variety of outlets for Amish wares, antiques, country and specialty shopping dot the county.

Dining options are various, from popular chains to "Mom-and-Pop" establishments. Certain venues also offer space for special gatherings like rehearsal dinners and private parties.

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A healthy workforce of more than 15,000 people is divided between Decatur County’s industry and agriculture opportunities. An active Chamber of Commerce promotes good agri-business communication by providing education and cultivating interaction between business and farming sectors. It also offers members unique, handy benefits such as use of the Chamber’s fax machine and copier, referrals to potential customers and clients, educational seminars, and periodic wage and benefit surveys for the area. A variety of banks, both local and regional, make loans to fit all business needs.

Decatur County entrepreneurs also take advantage of the professional business advice available at area Indiana Small Business Development Center branches. Here, they can tap into business plan or inventory control advice; marketing strategies and pricing analysis; venture capital analysis; and local laws governing licensing, restrictions and zoning – to name a few services. County businesses also are encouraged to tap into the Indiana Business Modernization and Technology Corporation’s comprehensive services, which have helped more than 4,000 companies improve their competitiveness and profitability in the past 15 years. On average, each company receives services that result in $1.5 million in total value added to their business.

A large cross-section of employers in manufacturing, food processing and printing base their operations in three large industrial parks on the southwest side of Greensburg, the northeast corner of the city and in the center of Decatur County. The latter is a new, state-of-the-art facility with vacancies for new businesses.

More than 700 farms and 200,000 acres yield robust crops and livestock receipts for area farmers. The agriculture of the area is strong and sets a friendly, welcome tone for rural communities.

Five shopping centers sporting more than 30 business outlets indicate a strong retail sector.

The amiable lifestyle and low unemployment rate have contributed to Decatur County’s steady growth.

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Decatur County residents’ medical health-care concerns are met by 162 doctors working out of the Decatur County Memorial Hospital. The Medical

Multi-Specialty Clinic, which also offers a surgery center, is staffed with six doctors and more than 40 visiting specialists.

Two brand-new assisted living facilities, Morning Breeze and CrownPointe, provide in-between care. Other health-care provisions include 24-hour ambulance service, three convalescent homes, two additional medical clinics, and seven area dentists.

First Steps of Decatur County provides an early-intervention program for the detection and treatment of children’s special needs, including diagnostic medical services, nursing services, nutrition services and family training.

Religion and denominations are varied within Decatur County. There are many places to worship within town borders or a few minutes drive.

Most importantly, Decatur County citizens convert their spiritual roots into specific actions. Here, people work together cheerfully to better their communities – in 1997 they simultaneously raised $5 million to build a new YMCA and day-care facility.

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Municipal government is administered by a mayor and five-member council, elected to four-year terms. Although there is virtually no crime rate in the county, area leaders are prepared, funding a 16-member Police Department and nine-member County Sheriff’s Department to provide law enforcement.

The Fire Department is staffed by 21 regular firemen and seven volunteers. Waste removal and sewage are municipal services with some private contracting, and recycling is offered by Decatur County Solid Waste Management. Utility suppliers include Cinergy/PSI and Decatur County REMC for electricity, Indiana Gas Company, Inc. for gas, Decatur County Rural Water Co. and Greensburg Municipal Water Company for water, and GTE of Indiana for telephone service.

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