Radius Indiana

News & Reports

Education Roundtable Session Set for February 9

January 27, 2012

On February 9 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., invited members of the French Lick, Indiana, and Crane communities will gather at the French Lick Resort for an input session about priorities for education and workforce development in the South Central Indiana region.

Participants will include leaders in workforce development, economic development, industry, K-12 education, and higher education. Radius Indiana will use findings from this and prior input sessions to develop a regional action plan for education and workforce development, with a focus on near-term action.

Radius Indiana is also working with Thomas P. Miller and Associates (TPMA), the group facilitating the input sessions, to identify and pursue funding sources for implementation of the action items.

New Fund Gives Radius Indiana More Influence on Local Use of State Money

January 27, 2012

With the recent IEDC approval of the Regional Impact Fund, Radius Indiana now has more influence on decisions regarding the local use of state casino revenue designated for use in South Central Indiana.

Historically, the revenue collected in accordance with the 2007 casino legislation was separated into two pools: 1) The Radius Indiana operating budget was governed by an annual service agreement with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). 2) Remainder monies of approximately $500,000 were governed by individual grant applications submitted to and approved by the IEDC, headquartered on the North side of Indianapolis.

In the Fall of 2011, during IEDC personnel tours of South Central Indiana and interviews with key stakeholders in our area, it was agreed that South Central Indiana residents should play more of a key role in allocating the casino funds. IEDC deputized a steering committee from the Radius Indiana board of directors, who developed a working model for the Regional Impact Fund. That model was recently made part of the service agreement between IEDC and Radius Indiana.

Continuing to work in partnership with county local economic development organizations (LEDOs), Radius Indiana will now have more input on how state casino funds are used to build the South Central Indiana region.

2012 Annual Meeting Recaps Success

January 27, 2012

At the January 17 Radius Indiana Annual Meeting, 2011 successes, as well as future plans, pointed to the momentum and success of the South Central Indiana region’s economic development efforts:

• The South Central Indiana region and its opportunities are attracting positive attention. Annual meeting attendance was over 100.
• Local economic development organizations (LEDOs) reported 2011 total investment of $194 million, and more than 500 jobs created for the region.
• Ivy Tech Community College opened a new center in Orange County. The Springs Valley Learning Center offers classes in math, reading, writing, business, computers, English, psychology, and student success. The center also offers corporate training. The new Ivy Tech site adds to the region’s growing education footprint.
• Construction of the WestGate Academy is well underway.
• Other educational services to our communities and businesses continue to expand.
• WestGate@Crane Technology Park has continued to grow, bringing jobs to Martin County.
• We are discussing 2012 projects to build the economy related to construction of the I-69 interstate.
• The recently established Regional Impact Fund gives more local and regional control of how state funds are used in our area.

Regional Asset Inventory Underway

January 27, 2012

Radius Indiana is creating an inventory record of regional assets by county, designed to help take advantage of economic development opportunities as they arise, as well as to identify gaps that need to be filled.

The inventory will provide a full accounting of what the South Central Indiana region offers, including local infrastructure, incentive programs, workforce assessments, education and training programs, and other assets related to economic development in the region.

In the coming months, Radius Indiana will work with each local economic development organization (LEDO) and the region’s communities to gather this information.

Area Non-Profit Purchases Vacant Martin County Facility

January 27, 2012

Knox County Association for Retarded Citizens (KCARC) announced in December that it has purchased a 139,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Martin County, Indiana. The building, located in Loogootee, was vacated in 2011 by Perfect Fit Industries.

"We are actively considering how to put in new manufacturing operations and we have every intention of employing people who were laid off," says Mike Carney, KCARC president. Carney says the new growth and expansion is an opportunity to replace lost jobs and create new ones in the region. 100 jobs were lost when Perfect Fit left the region.

KCARC is a Vincennes-based non-profit organization serving Southern Indiana people with disabilities. It operates Wabash Heritage, LLC and a number of other for-profit companies that provide manufacturing and services to major companies and organizations in a variety of industries. Its clients include the U.S. Department of Defense and Mack Trucks, among others. KCARC employs about 400 people.

"This is about people in Indiana finding ways to help each other and advance the state," says R.J. Reynolds, president and CEO of Radius Indiana. He applauded the cooperative efforts of all parties involved, including Carney; Tim Kinder, Executive Director of the Martin County Alliance for Economic Growth; and then-Loogootee Mayor Don Bowling.

"It’s the beginning of a great success story for Loogootee and Martin County," says Reynolds.

The facility, which is over 50 years old, will be remodeled to accommodate the new use. Plans will be finalized early this year.

For more information, visit www.kcarc.com.