Bluffton wins Aim Placemaking Award for Wells Community Aquatic Park. FRENCH LICK, Ind. (October 2, 2026) - Accelerate Indiana Municipalities (Aim) has announced that the City of Bluffton is the recipient of a 2026 Aim Placemaking Award for its redevelopment of the Wells Community Aquatic Park. Bluffton was recognized during the Annual Awards Luncheon, presented by Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors, on Wednesday, September 30, at the 2026 Aim Ideas Summit in French Lick. Bluffton earned the award in the 10,000 to 50,000 population category. Bluffton's 1972 community pool had reached the end of its useful life, with structural leaks, an obsolete filtration system, a shuttered baby pool, and failing infrastructure throughout. Rather than simply replacing what existed, the City used the moment to address several community challenges at once. The Wells Community Aquatic Park, which opened Memorial Day 2026, was intentionally built on blighted city-owned land on Bluffton's south side, a corridor that has seen minimal investment for decades. The new facility replaced four aging amenities with 15, including an eight-lane heated competition pool, a lazy river, a zero-depth ADA-accessible entry, a children's water playground, aquatic climbing and ninja course features, family restrooms, a year-round community media event room, pickleball courts, and an ADA-compliant playground. With the closure of Ouabache State Park's pool, it is now the only public aquatic facility in Wells County. The project was made possible by a broad funding coalition. The City of Bluffton contributed $5.2 million through cash reserves and a TIF bond. Wells County committed $800,000, and Harrison and Lancaster Townships combined for another $360,000, confirming the facility's role as a regional asset. Private philanthropy filled a significant portion of the remaining need: 109 private donors contributed or pledged more than $1.28 million, and a Patronicity grant plus a READI grant closed the final gap on the $8.5 million total. Community donors also purchased more than 2,700 complimentary passes so families can attend regardless of income. In its first summer, the park welcomed more than 11,000 visitors, surpassing the former pool's entire previous season, and now employs 47 seasonal staff, a 34% increase from the year before. "The Aim Community Placemaking Award honors communities that leverage public investment to shape the future of their cities and towns," said Aim CEO Matt Greller. "The Wells Community Aquatic Park reflects a deliberate strategy to anchor Bluffton's south side with a facility that serves every generation and every income level, made possible by an extraordinary coalition of local, regional, private, and state partners. We are proud to present a Community Placemaking Award to the City of Bluffton for the vision and coordination behind this exceptional investment." The Placemaking Award recognizes completed projects that demonstrate innovative approaches to addressing municipal challenges. These initiatives should showcase how planning, revitalization, or economic development efforts have improved the physical environment and enhanced the economic and social well-being of the community. Eligible projects must include a completed physical component within the past year. Awards are presented in multiple population categories based on nominations received. In its 50th year, the Aim Annual Awards program, presented by Baker Tilly, recognizes communities and individuals in municipal government for excellence and outstanding achievement. A seven-member panel of judges selected this year's winners from a competitive field of nominees from around the state. Conference Facts: 2026 Aim Ideas Summit September 29-October 1, 2026 French Lick Springs Resort | French Lick, Indiana Attendance: 1,100 (pending final registration count) Since the 1890s, Aim, formerly the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns, has been an advocate for Indiana municipalities. Aim is the official voice of municipal government in Indiana, with more than 460 cities and towns as members. Its purpose is to foster, promote and advocate for the success of Hoosier municipalities as laboratories of innovation, hubs of talent and the engines driving its state's economy.

Baker Tilly International names new global advisory services head. Meghan Loomis will work to formulate and execute the network's broader advisory road map. Baker Tilly International has appointed Meghan Loomis as head of its global advisory services, a member-company post created to support the expansion of consultancy offerings across the network. Loomis will be responsible for providing front-line professional experience and member-company viewpoints to help formulate and execute the network's broader advisory road map. She will collaborate with the global advisory services leader within the network's central executive office to determine key strategic targets, encourage joint initiatives between constituent companies and integrate advisory resources network-wide. The Global Office advisory team will offer administrative support, operational coordination and execution capabilities in the collaboration. According to the company, Loomis will draw upon her client-facing and company-level background to engage with regional advisory heads to deepen cross-border cooperation and pinpoint areas where member operators can pool resources. Baker Tilly International CEO Francesca Lagerberg said: "Advisory is central to its network ambitions and to the value International Accounting Bulletin create for member firms and their clients. "Meghan brings a powerful combination of digital expertise, commercial focus and collaborative leadership from within one of its member firms. "Working in partnership with our Global Office advisory leadership, she is exceptionally well placed to help shape the next phase of advisory across our global network." The move aligns with the network's recently unveiled global plan, which aims to strengthen advisory competencies across member entities and help them assist clients effectively. In steering this agenda, Loomis is tasked with keeping operations targeted on distinct priorities that match the requirements of member companies, commercial openings and the group's targets for 2030. Loomis currently serves as a principal within the digital solutions division at Baker Tilly in the US. Loomis said: "I am excited to work with advisory leaders across the Baker Tilly network and with the Global Office team to build on its strengths, connect its expertise and focus its energy where International Accounting Bulletin can create the greatest value. "Advisory is at its best when we combine local insight, global collaboration and practical execution to help clients make confident decisions in a changing world." Last month, Baker Tilly picked Vijay Anand as its new chief AI and technology officer. Give your business an edge with its leading industry insights.

Baker Tilly picks new chief growth officer. As chief growth officer, Broderick will be responsible for Baker Tilly's firmwide expansion. Baker Tilly has appointed Tom Broderick as its new chief growth officer, effective 1 October 2026. In this position, Broderick will report to Fred Massanova, North American managing principal and chief operating officer, and will join the firm's senior leadership team. He will succeed Rebecca Pomering, who is set to retire at the end of 2026 after almost 30 years with Baker Tilly. Pomering will collaborate with Broderick, Massanova and other leaders to support the transition. As chief growth officer, Broderick will oversee Baker Tilly's firmwide growth strategy. His role will involve coordinating industry and regional leaders with sales, marketing, client experience and market intelligence functions. The structure is intended to convert client needs and market insights into targeted growth initiatives across the organisation. Broderick is currently chair of Baker Tilly's regional principals. He has advised privately held businesses and their owners, working in public accounting since 1999 across tax, assurance, accounting and management matters. Broderick said: "Baker Tilly has an extraordinary opportunity to bring the full depth of its firm to clients in a more connected and consistent way. "I look forward to working with our industry, regional and commercial leaders to build on the progress already underway and turn our growth priorities into meaningful results for clients and our people." Massanova will continue to lead Baker Tilly's North American business, including operating performance and mergers and acquisitions strategy. Baker Tilly CEO Eric Miles said: "Tom understands how growth is generated across its firm, through strong client relationships, clear market priorities and consistent execution. "His experience as a client-serving principal and his relationships with leaders across Baker Tilly position him to connect our firmwide growth agenda more closely with our industries, regions and markets." In May this year, Baker Tilly partnered with HubSync to elevate middle-market tax services. Give your business an edge with its leading industry insights.