FRENCH LICK, Ind. (Feb. 27, 2018) — Today, for the first time, Radius Indiana revealed the Top 10 Economic Development Projects from around the region at its annual Stakeholders Meeting at the French Lick Resort.

More than 50 projects were submitted by regional stakeholders, who were then asked to vote on the 20 top projects that made the most impact in the Radius region in 2017. More than 100 stakeholders from across the region weighed in to create the list.

10. IEDA Site Selector Event Comes to French Lick

The Indiana Economic Development Association’s Site Consultant event was held at the French Lick Resort in 2017, and marks the first time the event was held outside of Indianapolis. More than 100 business leaders, elected officials and economic development professionals from across Indiana gathered to hear from 10 national site selectors. IEDA gave the region a national audience and brought many people from around Indiana to French Lick for the first time.

9. Jackson County REMC invests in rural fiber to the Home

In 2017 Jackson County REMC began forming a subsidiary called “Jackson Connect” to bring fiber-optic broadband internet service to its rural customers including many in the Radiu region. The organization invested $5.5 million into the project, and is expected to surpass $60 million by completion. The project will take at least five years to complete, but once done it will not only provide high-speed broadband internet services, but will also enhance the efficiency and communications to the electric cooperative’s existing smart grid equipment to areas in the Radius region.

8. German American announces location of new Operations Center in Jasper

 

German American Bank opened a new $6 million operations center in Jasper, which can accommodate 150 employees and solidifies German American’s precedence as a banking leader in the region. German American, a publicly-traded corporation on the NASDAQ, employs over 600 people, with 257 located in Dubois County.

7.   Farbest Foods invests more than $20 million in Huntingburg

Farbest Foods invested $21.7 million to modernize part of its plant in Huntingburg. Of the investment, $13.5 million went to building renovations, $5.5 million for equipment and $2.7 million in transportation equipment. The improvements will help the company stay competitive in the turkey industry. Farbest employs over 1,300 people, and is the fourth largest turkey processing company in the country–1,200 of those employees are from Indiana, with many residing in Dubois County.

6. M & C Tech Indiana locates in Washington, becoming the first regional Japanese investment

M & C Tech invested $4.6 million into a 40,000 square foot building and added 35 new jobs with more come to the Radius region. This was the first investment by a Japanese company in Daviess County and the Radius region, and comes on the heels of the construction of I-69. Indiana has the largest amount of Japanese investment per capita among all U.S. states and is the only state that is home to three Japanese automotive assembly plants. More than 260 Japanese business facilities operate across Indiana, providing more than 53,000 Hoosier jobs.

5. LPGA Senior Championship chooses French Lick for five-year contract tour

Last year, French Lick Resort hosted the first-ever LPGA Senior Championship and the second annual tournament will be held at the Pete Dye Course this October. The tournament is broadcast on the Golf Channel, and is expected to bring millions in tourism spending into the region and thousands of spectators in for the tour during the coming years.

4. French Lick Resort kicks of first year of the $20 million expansion at the Event Center

French Lick Resort completed the first phase of its $20 million expansion of the Event Center adding 58,000 square feet. The renovation adds to the existing 101,000 square feet of meeting space, which includes a 22,000 square foot adjustable ballroom. Now with a total of 163,000 square feet for meeting and event space, the resort contains the largest privately owned meeting space in the state  of Indiana and is positioned to be a destination of choice for state, regional and national conventions.

3. BrightVolt moves into the Battery Innovation Center

BrightVolt, a leader in battery and energy storage technology, received $500,000 in matching funds from the Radius Regional Impact Fund to move to an Indiana location at the Battery Innovation Center within Westgate@Crane Technology Park. This move allows BrightVolt to create new lab space, job positions, and battery prototype manufacturing for its design, development, and manufacturing of safe, thin and flexible batteries.

2. Orange County Economic Development Partnership sells Paoli LLC building to Jasper Seating

Jasper Group’s investment keeps furniture manufacturing and jobs alive in the region and will allow the company to expand its operations. Jasper Group has multiple facilities in Southern Indiana including five in Dubois County, and now three in Orange County with the addition of the 1.2 million-square-foot Orleans facility. Jasper will retain the remaining Paoli LLC production employees and could add more jobs as it ramps up operations in 2018.

1. Purdue Arrives at WestGate@Crane Technology Park

Purdue University and the Purdue Research Foundation joined forces with Westgate and Crane to further education, research & development, and technology commercialization across Indiana with the establishment of Purdue@WestGate. As part of the agreement, Purdue will provide educational opportunities from the Krannert School of Management and Purdue Polytechnic Institute; startup creation assistance from Purdue Foundry; increased tech transfer support from Purdue Office of Technology Commercialization; and company incubation space and amenities from WestGate@Crane Technology Park and Purdue Research Park. This is a monumental development for WestGate, bringing new jobs and multiple opportunities for new investment in the region.

With so many great projects, a list of “Honorable Mentions” was also created. While these narrowly missed making the Top 10, they each represent important projects, events and investment in the region. This list includes:

-First Radius Economic Development Course at French Lick

-First Purdue Foundry Firestarter Group launched, taking entrepreneurs from concept to business

-SERVUS! Announces new corporate headquarters in Jasper

-ProMark Grand Opening in Linton

-Duke Energy selects Crawford County I-64 Industrial Park for McCallum-Sweeney site certification

-Radius Community SWOT analysis for Crane

-Alion expansion at WestGate@Crane Technology Park

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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 the region to drive attraction, retention and expansion of business, thereby increasing employment and investment opportunities and quality of life within the region.

BEDFORD, Ind. (Feb. 28, 2018) – Radius Indiana held its annual stakeholders luncheon
on Tuesday at the French Lick Resort where nearly 150 attendees gathered to learn
about the organization’s events planned for 2018. Radius also presented, for the
first time, the Radius Top 10 Economic Development Projects of the past year.

Gerry Dick of Inside INdiana Business joined the presentation to reveal the 2017
Top 10 list, which counted down projects from across the region and finished with
the No. 1—Purdue arriving at WestGate@Crane Technology Park. Purdue@Westgate is
working to further education, R&D, and technology commercialization opportunities
across the region.

Greg Deason, senior vice president of Purdue Research Foundation and director of
innovation and entrepreneurship at the Purdue Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship,
was on hand to give an update on Purdue@WestGate and to thank the Radius stakeholders
for voting them the top project.

“It is a great honor to see the Purdue@WestGate project receive top recognition
by the Radius stakeholders. Purdue wants to create impact in the eight Radius counties
and the project is already seeing great results and opportunities as we provide
training and programs aimed at helping innovators and entrepreneurs take their ‘Ideas
to Impact.’ We are looking forward to Purdue’s continued efforts in the region to
build a more vibrant innovation and entrepreneurial culture and to see that lead
to happier, healthier and longer lives for Hoosiers as well as great new job opportunities,”
said Deason.

The Top 10 Economic Development Projects of 2017 were chosen by regional stakeholders
through online voting prior to the meeting. Projects included new investment and
expansion at the French Lick Resort, M&C Tech locating in Washington as the first
Japanese manufacturer in the region, and a new tech company, BrightVolt, moving
into the Battery Innovation Center. Visit RadiusIndiana.com to view the complete list.

The meeting also featured Radius Indiana Board of Directors’ Chair Becky Skillman
who thanked stakeholders for their continued support of Radius and introduced Michael
Dora, Indiana State Director of the USDA. Dora spoke about ongoing projects in the
department, and spread his optimism about Radius’s recent acceptance into the USDA’s
Intermediary Lending Program, which will allow it to provide low interest loans
for regional infrastructure and economic development projects.

Jeff Quyle, Radius Indiana president and CEO, addressed the group to share successes
from the year, from economic development education efforts to site selector outreach.
Quyle also announced new initiatives for Radius in 2018. Radius will take its first
international outreach trip to Japan this fall to meet with potential investors
and companies looking to expand in the U.S. to educate them about the Radius region.
The organization is also kicking off a regional tourism branding effort to create
an identity for southern Indiana as a recreation destination.

Finally, Quyle announced that Radius will undertake a strategic planning effort
this year to define priorities for the group moving forward. To kickoff the process,
stakeholders participated in live polling to share their insights on efforts such
as developing a network of co-working spaces, collaboration with other regional
groups, and the Radius activities that affect their communities.

“Our annual meeting saw record attendance this year and I want to thank all of our
stakeholders for their continued interest and engagement as we work to grow economic
development opportunities for the region,” said Quyle. “From celebrating the Top
10 projects of 2017 to seeing the support for new initiatives planned for 2018,
the entire program was a true testament to how working together as a region can
move us forward and put our eight counties on the map for new investment.”

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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.

 

BEDFORD, Ind. (Feb. 23, 2018) — Radius Indiana and South Central Indiana Economic
Development partnered to promote their respective Indiana regions as co-hosts of
an event for site selectors from Columbus, Ohio business advisory firms last week.

This is the second joint-regional event for Radius and SCIED, and builds off the
success of the organizations’ co-hosted site selector luncheon held in Louisville
in 2017.

The session is part of Radius Indiana’s 2018 outreach program to raise awareness
about the business strengths and opportunities in the region. This program continues
to grow after launching in 2016 and marks the first outreach trip of the new year.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation joined Radius and SCIED on the trip
to help showcase the benefits of doing business in the state and the regions, as
well as available sites, demographics and the quality of the workforce that powers
existing businesses.

“The trip to Columbus was a great opportunity to talk to industry consultants about
our communities,” said Shance Sizemore, CEO of the Bedford Chamber and Lawrence
County Economic Growth Council. “Additionally, having the opportunity to have in-depth
conversations about industry trends allows our region to get outside perspective
on our respective communities.”

Radius Indiana President and CEO Jeff Quyle highlighted the Radius region’s assets,
its logistical advantages, interstate connectivity, and economic activity for the
Group.

“Radius’s outreach program has given us great opportunities to raise awareness about
the Radius region since we began, and in 2018 we expect to connect with many more
site selectors,” said Quyle. “By partnering with SCIED we are able to reduce costs
while boosting the exposure for both of our neighboring regions. On this trip, we
were able to meet with officials from a major corporation with operations in Indiana
and share the benefits of the region–this keeps us top of mind for expansions and
new operations.”

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. Ensuring that 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.

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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.

BEDFORD, Ind. (Feb. 9, 2018) – Radius Indiana released the list of speakers for its second regional Economic Development for Community Leadership Program being held March 27-29, 2018 at the French Lick Resort.

Speakers will feature national site selectors Jenny Massey, co-founder and president of FairWinds Advisors and Geoffrey Troan, principal at Sandridge Consulting, LLC, who will serve as the keynote speaker for the opening dinner at the conference.

The session also includes economic development experts, marketing consultants, legal advisors as well aspresentations from Wendy Dant Chesser, president and CEO of One Southern Indiana and chair of the Indiana Economic Development Association board of directors, who will lead two sessions at the conference focused on Strategic Planning and Community Relations and Collaboration.

“I am excited to join Radius for this conference again this year,” said Dant Chesser. “Regionally, this is the only conference of its kind and gives our economic development community a chance to connect with community leaders. The course offers education and real-world tools and tactics, which can help counties, cities and towns grow business and boost local economies.”

Other speakers and sessions include: Introduction to Economic Development with Jim Plump, Jackson County Industrial Development Corporation; Real Estate/Site Development with Chelsey Manns, Manns Consulting; Business Finance with Matt Eckerle, Umbaugh and Associates, and Dave Umpleby, Krieg Devault; and Business Retention and Expansion with Jason Hester, Greater Columbus Economic Development Corporation.

“After the success of last year’s conference, I look forward to bringing it to a new audience in 2018. I believe that education is a vital part of this industry and Radius looks forward to another opportunity to enhance knowledge and experience among community leaders who are eager to learn from others as well as share their own stories,” said Radius Indiana President and CEO Jeff Quyle.

Registration for the Radius Indiana Economic Development for Community Leadership Program, which takes place March 27, 28 and 29, is available at www.radiusindiana.com. Registration for leaders in the Radius eight-county region is $400, and $475 for those who live outside the region.

Radius also plans to make several scholarships available from its own office as well as area utilities and banks. Local Economic Development Organizations and those interested in attending are encouraged to contact the Radius Indiana office to learn more about scholarship opportunities in their area.

BEDFORD, Ind. (Jan. 26, 2017) – Radius Indiana kicked off its new Women In Economic Development Leadership Initiative Jan. 24 at the West Baden Hotel. This is the first-ever course of its kind for the region, and the state, and is designed to promote professional development for women.

The course will focus on a broad range of topics, including business attraction, retention and expansion, entrepreneurship, quality of life initiatives, networking, and international business etiquette. The initiative will span 2018 and encourage an open dialogue among participants to share successes, challenges and best practices.

This program adds to the portfolio of educational economic development initiatives that Radius currently leads, like the Economic Development for Community Leadership Program that will be held for the second time this year in March.

“Radius Indiana has undertaken a number of initiatives to strengthen the culture and practice of economic development in Southern Indiana. We saw that there were a number of new people who have come on the economic development scene in a relatively short period of time all in a compact area, and we felt this course could help them all and their communities,” said Radius Indiana President and CEO Jeff Quyle. “We opened up the program to our region and surrounding counties and have nearly a dozen participants from eight counties representing local economic development, the utility sector, community development, chambers of commerce, marketing and telecommunications.”

Quyle selected Chelsey Manns, president of Manns Consulting, LLC to facilitate the course. Manns is a veteran in economic development and helps communities develop and execute project plans for business growth, quality of life initiatives and community development. Manns formerly served as the Executive Director of Morgan County Economic Development Corporation, and as business development director for Banning Engineering, a central Indiana-based civil engineering and surveying firm. She began her career as a project manager with the Indy Partnership.

“I commend the Radius Indiana team for spearheading this new program,” said Manns. “I am excited for the opportunity to be involved and look forward to sharing my experiences and helping to strengthen the foundation of economic development professionals in the area.”

Manns and Quyle both hope that this initiative will leave participants with a better sense of the industry, and see this as a chance to serve as a networking opportunity for the region.

Rachel Steckler, director of Communication & Community Development for the City of Huntingburg, who is attending the course, added, “The Women in Economic Development Initiative is a great opportunity for women in this industry to discuss important issues in our region, and share best practices to not only sustain our communities, but to promote and enhance them, as well. I applaud Radius for supporting regional collaboration, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be included with this great group of economic development professionals.”

BEDFORD, Ind. (Jan. 23, 2018) – Radius Indiana and Southwest Indiana Development Council (SWIDC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will guide growing cooperation between the two organizations.

Radius and SWIDC developed the MOU to promote economic development coordination across their respective regions, which share similar demographics and industry clusters including high concentrations of agriculture and manufacturing.

“This newly formed relationship has the opportunity to bring more business and success to the counties involved,” said Radius Indiana President and CEO Jeff Quyle. “We look forward to working alongside SWIDC and seeing what can be achieved as we expand our regional approach. We are already in the planning stages to co-host a site selector event in Chicago, and have started discussions to include representatives from SWIDC in our international outreach efforts.”

The two groups will identify opportunities to collaborate on outreach, such as joint site selector events, and continuing professional education in topics related to economic development for economic development professionals and elected civic leaders, as well as through other opportunities for mutual support that may arise. In addition, an annual meeting will be held between Radius and SWIDC to facilitate conversations among both regions’ Local Economic Development Organizations.

“Collaboration among stakeholders is key to economic development especially in rural areas. This MOU between Radius and SWIDC is a positive step toward improving the capabilities of all represented counties in bringing economic development to southwest Indiana,” said Alvin Evans, chairman of Southwest Indiana Development Council. “I applaud the leadership of Radius Indiana in reaching out to SWIDC to improve all our efforts.”

As neighboring regional economic development groups, Radius and SWIDC represent multiple counties in Southern and Southwest Indiana and there are three counties, Daviess, Martin, and Dubois that are members of both organizations.

“Dubois Strong is member of both regional groups. The new collaborative partnership agreement opens many opportunities to promote Southern Indiana as a great place to live, work, play and invest,” said Ed Cole, president of Dubois Strong.

Ron Arnold, executive director of Daviess County Economic Development Corporation added, “There are challenges related to workforce and the continued migration of our bright young residents to the urban areas. It will take all of us working together utilizing all our resources to remain competitive.”

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.

ABOUT SWIDC: Southwest Indiana Development Council is a gateway to economic development resources in Southern and Southwest Indiana. As one of the nation’s most dynamic, growing regions, we welcome new and expanding businesses. The experienced Local Economic Development (LEDO) directors of SWIDC (Daviess, Dubois, Knox, Martin, Perry, Pike, Posey and Spencer counties) have teamed to offer project specific assistance designed to identify, maximize, secure, and apply all available incentives to make Southwest Indiana the most attractive location for business.

BEDFORD, Ind. (Jan. 10, 2018) – The Radius Indiana Board of Directors begins 2018 with new Board members and a number of new initiatives for the organization, including an international economic development marketing venture.

The board reconfirmed former Radius Indiana CEO Becky Skillman as Board Chair, the election of three new Board members, and ratified a 2018 budget that includes several new priorities and projects to benefit the Radius region.

Additional officers include Vice Chair Don Schulte, Schulte Consulting; Secretary Tim Kinder, Martin County Alliance; and Treasurer Neil Dauby, German American Bank. Rounding out the Executive Committee are Misty McCammack, Duke Energy; Sabrina Burdine, Washington County Economic Growth Partnership; Doug Kellams, East Gate Business & Technology Park; and Mayor of Washington Joe Wellman.

New board members elected to three-year terms are Tim Robinette, Old National Bank; Steve Bartels, Patoka Lake Marina & Winery; Mike Roeder, Vectren; and Misty Weisensteiner, Orange County Economic Development Partnership.

“The board members bring additional perspectives to our leadership for regional economic development,” said Radius Indiana President and CEO Jeff Quyle. “I look forward to seeing what the group will accomplish for the region in 2018.”

The board also approved a 2018 budget that includes funding for the second Economic Development for Community Leadership Program, increased marketing and graphic design activities, increased support for Crane Community Development and funding to support a regional tourism strategy. The new budget also includes a Radius Indiana sponsored economic development trip to Japan slated for late fall 2018.

“The Radius Indiana trip to Japan will be the first international trip for us as a regional economic development group and will include local elected officials and several economic development professionals from around the region,” said Quyle. “Foreign investment in Indiana is a powerful economic driver and we continue to see more and more companies choosing our state for new ventures. We want to ensure that the Radius region is top of mind for companies looking to expand or locate new facilities in the Midwest.”

Other initiatives include multiple site selector trips to share the benefits of doing business in the area, regional marketing efforts, as well as a continued commitment to skilled workforce development, community development and defense industry strategy.