In Indiana, a state facing significant health disparities and infrastructure challenges, the growing influx of older adult migrants highlights both vulnerabilities and opportunities for advancing community well-being. This review examines Indiana as a microcosm to explore how migration driven demographic shifts impact Community Quality of Life (CQOL) and to identify scalable, place-based solutions for thriving rural communities. By leveraging stakeholder engagement through participatory methods and a comprehensive literature review, this research highlights how localized insights can inform the refinement of CQOL models to address healthcare access, social integration, and economic sustainability. This work contributes to a deeper understanding of how place-based solutions can be scaled to address migration-driven challenges and promote thriving communities across rural regions. This paper closely aligns with the conference theme, "Innovative Pathways to Thriving Communities," by exploring how migration acts as a transformative force that influences the social, economic, and health dynamics of rural communities. Using Indiana as a case study, the research uncovers innovative, place-based strategies to tackle the unique challenges and opportunities arising from migration-driven demographic changes. At the core of this study is the CQOL framework, a comprehensive and multidimensional tool designed to enhance health equity, strengthen social cohesion, and promote economic sustainability in rural settings. By employing participatory methods, including stakeholder engagement and community-driven insights, this research bridges the divide between theoretical models and practical applications. It underscores the critical role of collaboration among local stakeholders, policymakers, and researchers in refining CQOL indicators and creating tailored interventions. These efforts highlight the power of place-based collaboration as a key driver of resilience and thriving communities. Additionally, this study aligns with the conference tracks, "People, Technology, and Place-Based Collaboration," by incorporating community feedback into the CQOL framework and addressing health disparities through inclusive, collaborative approaches. The participatory methodology ensures that CQOL indicators and associated tools are responsive to real-world needs, enabling scalable and actionable solutions for rural regions. This research ultimately provides a roadmap for rural communities to navigate demographic changes, fostering sustainable development and thriving environments through innovation, collaboration, and equity-driven strategies.
