Month: March 2017

Radius Indiana Closes Out First Regional Economic Development Course

BEDFORD, Ind. (March 30, 2017) – Radius Indiana concluded its inaugural economic development course at French Lick Resort on Thursday afternoon, wrapping up three days of education, networking and skills building for community leaders from across Southern Indiana.
The Radius Indiana Economic Development for Community Leadership Program is the first course of its kind to be offered in the area. More than 40 people representing 14 Indiana counties gathered to hear from national and regional speakers teaching educational sessions on topics such as real estate development, business attraction, workforce, marketing, business finance and incentives, and entrepreneurship.
“Radius Indiana’s vision is to help communities grow strong, working groups of local leaders versed in economic development who can affect policies and strategies for intentional business growth and skills-driven workforce development,” said Radius Indiana President and CEO Jeff Quyle. “This first program has exceeded my expectations not only in number of participants, but in how engaged and enthusiastic our leaders are to put their new knowledge to work in their counties.”
The course’s registrants included mayors, council members, county commissioners, chamber of commerce leaders, tourism directors, economic development professionals and congressional staffers.
“Our county is in the process of reorganizing our economic development and redevelopment organizations and this program came at a perfect time for us. The classes have given me some new approaches to take back to share with my colleagues,” said Crawford County Commissioner Morton Dale. “I am especially excited to see this type of conference with this caliber of speakers offered right here in our region in Southern Indiana.”
Chad Sweeney of Fishers-based site selection firm Ginovus was one of the 15 speakers at the conference. Sweeney spoke to the group about business attraction and marketing to site selectors.
“It was great to be a part of this first economic development program from Radius,” said Sweeney. “These events are key to helping communities understand what companies are looking for during an expansion or relocation project. Those attending the program now have new tools and tactics to strengthen the way their respective cities and towns respond to economic opportunities, and those first impressions can make a big impact during the site selection process,” said Sweeney.
Other sessions and speakers included Introduction to Economic Development with Jim Plump, Jackson County Industrial Development Corporation; Real Estate/Site Development with Chelsey Manns, Manns Consulting; Business Retention and Expansion with Jason Hester, Greater Columbus Economic Development Corporation; Abatement/TIF/Incentives with Matt Eckerle, Umbaugh and Associates; and Entrepreneurship with Steve Bryant, Ivy Tech.
Corporate sponsors and tuition payments helped fund the program, including generous support from Duke Energy, Hoosier Energy, Vectren, Smithville Fiber, Springs Valley Bank & Trust, Krieg DeVault and the Indiana Municipal Power Agency.
Based on the high level of interest and the immediate positive feedback already coming in from participants, Radius Indiana expects to offer the program again in 2018. Those interested in being added to next year’s roster should contact the Radius Indiana office at 812-277-9778.
ABOUT RADIUS INDIANA: Radius Indiana is a regional economic development partnership representing eight counties in Southern Indiana: Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Orange, and Washington. Formed in 2009, Radius Indiana also serves as a point of contact in Indiana for Naval Support Activity Crane and leads regional collaboration by leveraging the diverse assets of Southwest Central Indiana to drive attraction, retention and expansion of business, thereby increasing employment and investment opportunities and quality of life within the region.
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Business Development 2016 Wrap Up

BEDFORD, Ind. (March 15, 2017) — Radius Indiana continues its focus on attracting, retaining and expanding businesses in the eight-county region. We work closely with our local economic development organizations to monitor projects, pursue new business leads and conduct outreach to site selectors and companies looking to relocate or expand. During 2016 Radius staff, along with some of our LEDOs, traveled to Cincinnati, Louisville, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Evansville, Columbus, Chicago and New York to raise awareness about doing business in the Radius region.
A total of 68 new project leads came in through the state, and of those the Radius region was eligible for 43. From the eligible state leads and other local development activities, economic development projects in the region marked nearly $92 million in investments for 11 projects across six counties–with nine of the projects in the form of business retention and expansion and two new projects.
The Regional Impact Fund, which is administered by Radius, awarded nearly $500,000 to area projects in 2016. Those supported projects include Pluto Corporation, GKN Sinter Metals, Manchester Tank and M&C Tech.
New investment in the region resulted in 184 jobs added across the region, and overall, manufacturing, defense, agribusiness and tourism remain key industry clusters for the region and show the greatest potential for growth and expansion.
Radius Indiana applauds the work of our LEDOs, community leaders and stakeholders for helping make 2016 a prosperous and productive year for the region!

ABOUT RADIUS INDIANA: Radius Indiana is a regional economic development partnership representing eight counties in Southern Indiana: Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Orange, and Washington. Formed in 2009, Radius Indiana also serves as a point of contact in Indiana for Naval Support Activity Crane and leads regional collaboration by leveraging the diverse assets of Southwest Central Indiana to drive attraction, retention and expansion of business, thereby increasing employment and investment opportunities and quality of life within the region.

Radius Indiana’s Stakeholder Meeting Attracts Area Leaders

BEDFORD, Ind. (March 10, 2017) — Radius Indiana saw record attendance this week at its annual stakeholders luncheon at the French Lick Resort. Nearly 150 attendees gathered to learn about the organization’s accomplishments from the past year and to hear about initiatives and key focus areas for 2017.

Radius Indiana Board of Directors’ Chair Becky Skillman opened the program by recognizing the region’s artisan community and its important contribution to the fabric of the region. This year’s luncheon featured woodcarving artist Larry Green, from Washington displaying his wood carving skills for guests. Radius partnered with area artisans to provide gifts from the regional including wine from the French Lick Winery, a signed carving from Green, cookies from the Sisters of St. Benedict in Ferdinand, and tickets to the Indiana Artisan Marketplace later this month.

Jeff Quyle, Radius Indiana president and CEO, explained the Southern Indiana economic development landscape and how Radius functions compared to neighboring regional economic development organizations. He also touted that the region recorded nearly $92 million in investment for new or expanding businesses and an impressive $270 million is tourism spending by visitors to the eight-county region.

Regional Opportunity Initiatives Interim CEO Tina Peterson offered the keynote address. Peterson gave an update for a variety of Southwest Central Indiana initiatives. ROI facilitates the 11-county grant from Lilly Endowment awarded to the Radius counties plus Brown, Monroe and Owen in 2015.

Peterson shared a preview of the ROI’s recently completed occupational needs assessment, which garnered information from employers in the region representing advanced manufacturing, defense and national security and life sciences. A key finding of the study shows an urgent need for STEM education in the region as well as a need to create viable pathways for high school students to fill jobs from production to engineering. Peterson also announced the first stakeholder meeting for the Regional Opportunity Initiatives will be held April 26 at the French Lick Resort as well.

ABOUT RADIUS INDIANA: Radius Indiana is a regional economic development partnership representing eight counties in Southern Indiana: Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Orange, and Washington. Formed in 2009, Radius Indiana also serves as a point of contact in Indiana for Naval Support Activity Crane and leads regional collaboration by leveraging the diverse assets of Southwest Central Indiana to drive attraction, retention and expansion of business, thereby increasing employment and investment opportunities and quality of life within the region.

Tourism Spending On The Rise For Radius Indiana

BEDFORD, Ind. (March 8, 2017) —Tourism is thriving in the Radius Indiana region, according to a newly released study by market research firm Rockport Analytics. The study shows visitor spending totaling $271.6 million, marking a 13 percent increase from the previous year and a regional economic impact of $198 million.

The study compared tourism data during a two-year period for Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Orange and Washington counties and reports that nearly 5,000 area residents are directly employed in tourism, making it the 7th largest industry in the region.

“Tourism is not only good for the local economy in the Radius Region, but also has many other benefits for the community. A booming tourism industry also helps create a healthy job market and puts dollars into our school systems. Moreover, it helps to relieve the tax burden of households in the region,” said Radius Indiana President and CEO Jeff Quyle.

The study was commissioned by the Indiana Office of Tourism Development and Radius Indiana and is the first-ever analysis of the economic impact of tourism for Radius. It shows that the region outpaced the state’s growth in tourism spending by 5 percent and has a nearly 2.5 percent share of overall tourism spending in Indiana.

“I applaud Radius Indiana for undertaking this study to establish a baseline of tourism’s impact for their area,” said Mark Newman, executive director of the Indiana Office of Tourism Development. “This region is an asset-rich part of the state and has some of the state’s most important historical sites within just miles of one another. This data will help us to better support the region as we work together to develop tourism strategies for the state.”

Radius Indiana facilitates a regional tourism advisory council, and the group will use the study to create new initiatives that will support this vital part of the local economy.

“The data shows us that 73 cents of every $1 spent on tourism stayed in the local economy and saves our taxpayers about $359 per year in taxes — money that stays in the region stimulates our communities and promotes vitality and growth,” said Quyle.

Highlights of the study include Orange County, home to French Lick Resort and Casino and historic West Baden, with the largest amount of tourism spending for the region and coming in at No. 2 for the state in spending per capita; Washington County recorded a 30 percent increase in tourism spending during the study period, ranking it as the No. 1 county in the state for tourism spending growth.

ABOUT RADIUS INDIANA: Radius Indiana is a regional economic development partnership representing eight counties in Southern Indiana: Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Orange, and Washington. Formed in 2009, Radius Indiana also serves as a point of contact in Indiana for Naval Support Activity Crane and leads regional collaboration by leveraging the diverse assets of Southwest Central Indiana to drive attraction, retention and expansion of business, thereby increasing employment and investment opportunities and quality of life within the region.

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Enrollment at Capacity for Radius Indiana’s New Regional Economic Development Course

Enrollment at Capacity for Radius Indiana’s
New Regional Economic Development Course

BEDFORD, Ind. (March 1, 2017) — Radius Indiana’s inaugural economic development course scheduled for March 28-30 at the French Lick Resort is sold out and the waitlist for additional registrants continues to grow.

The Radius Indiana Economic Development for Community Leadership Program is the first course of its kind to be offered in the area. It will feature national and regional speakers teaching educational sessions on topics such as real estate development, business attraction, workforce, marketing, business finance and incentives, and entrepreneurship.

“We are pleased but not surprised by the strong interest we have experienced from our southern Indiana neighbors,” said Radius Indiana President and CEO Jeff Quyle. “Holding these classes right here in the heart of our region has opened the door for more people to attend the course and learn the principles that build successful long-term economic development strategies.”

The course’s 45 registrants include mayors, council members, county commissioners, chamber of commerce leaders, tourism directors, economic development professionals and congressional staffers. Representing 18 counties, two thirds of the attendees hail from the eight Radius counties and the remaining third come from counties scattered across southern and central Indiana.

“Our community leadership really benefits from listening to experts in economic development explain what the best practices are for local governments that want to increase business activity,” Bedford Mayor Shawna Girgis said. “That’s why I’m so pleased we have five people from Lawrence County attending the course; the more of us who understand these things and collaborate, the better the results we can achieve for our citizens.”

Corporate sponsors and tuition payments will fund the program, including generous support from Duke Energy, Hoosier Energy, Indiana Municipal Power Agency, Vectren, Smithville Fiber, and Springs Valley Bank & Trust.

“This class is not intended to produce revenue, we will instead measure its value in the number of community leaders that will be better prepared to help contribute to the growth of our regional economy,” Quyle stated. “Economic development success grows from the grassroots up, from local people who can be part of the local investment in economic growth.”

Based on the high level of interest that sold the course out one month before its first session, Radius Indiana expects to offer the program again in 2018. Those interested in being added to the waitlist should contact the Radius Indiana office at 812-277-9778.

ABOUT RADIUS INDIANA: Radius Indiana is a regional economic development partnership representing eight counties in Southern Indiana: Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Orange, and Washington. Formed in 2009, Radius Indiana also serves as a point of contact in Indiana for Naval Support Activity Crane and leads regional collaboration by leveraging the diverse assets of Southwest Central Indiana to drive attraction, retention and expansion of business, thereby increasing employment and investment opportunities and quality of life within the region.

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Radius Indiana Connects with South Carolina

BEDFORD, Ind. (Feb 27, 2017) — Radius Indiana and a representative from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation traveled to Greenville, S.C. last week to meet with site selectors and share the advantages of doing business in the Radius region. The organization is continuing its successful outreach program that began last year.

This is the second visit in a series of economic development trips that Radius has planned for 2017 and the first trip for Radius to South Carolina. Ensuring decision makers know about the area’s offerings is a primary focus for Radius Indiana, the regional partnership representing Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Orange, and Washington Counties.

IEDC Regional Director Trevor Lane joined Radius Indiana President and CEO Jeff Quyle on the visit to meet with nine site selectors who work with industrial clients, including many that are part of the auto industry. The site selectors report an increase in projects coming through the pipeline, many of which include foreign investments considering the U.S. as a place to expand or locate operations.

Quyle and Lane learned that while most of the South Carolina-based site selectors had familiarity with Indiana, many did not know the Radius Indiana region specifically. The pair took the opportunity to discuss the region’s competitive advantages including the I-69 corridor, Naval Support Activity Crane and New Market Tax Credit eligibility. They also explained the area’s pro-manufacturing culture with an emphasis on advanced manufacturing, and Radius’ ongoing collaboration with Regional Opportunity Initiatives Inc., the 11-county consortium for the region focused on education, workforce programs and quality-of-place investments.

“The chance to open new doors is always good for our Radius communities. We heard positive feedback about the efforts our region is making to collaborate with groups such as the Regional Opportunity Initiatives and its workforce development programs. These folks now know a little more about our region, and we’ll continue to build a relationship with them so that our part of Indiana becomes a place they will advise clients on in the future,” said Quyle.

Radius Indiana will partner with the IEDC and Local Economic Development Organizations from the region’s respective counties for future visits in Indiana and other states across the country.

ABOUT RADIUS INDIANA: Radius Indiana is a regional economic development partnership representing eight counties in Southern Indiana: Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Orange, and Washington. Formed in 2009, Radius Indiana also serves as a point of contact in Indiana for Naval Support Activity Crane and leads regional collaboration by leveraging the diverse assets of Southwest Central Indiana to drive attraction, retention and expansion of business, thereby increasing employment and investment opportunities and quality of life within the region.

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