Radius Indiana and Crane Regional Defense Group host congressional events in U.S. Capital

ODON, Ind. (July 5, 2022) – Radius Indiana and Crane Regional Defense Group (CRDG) hosted a series of events last month in Washington D.C in coordination with NSA Crane and industry peers. The events served to engage government leaders, defense and technology firms, and constituents in conversations and updates about ongoing developments for the base and southern Indiana’s defense industry.

The annual Team Crane Congressional Breakfast was held on Capitol Hill for the first time since 2019 after a pause due to pandemic restrictions. Indiana Senators Mike Braun and Todd Young and Indiana Congressmen Larry Bucshon, and Trey Hollingsworth hosted the breakfast, sponsored by Radius Indiana in partnership with the Federal Manager’s Association (FMA) Crane Chapter 170, Indiana Innovation Institute (IN3), and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). 

As Naval Support Activity (NSA) Crane continues to demonstrate the success of its technologies and products, Radius and its partners took this opportunity to highlight the increasing military value of Crane and give insight into the future goals for the base. The events also served to underscore the positive impact NSA Crane has on the advancement of technology in the state of Indiana and to the continued well-being of nearby communities as it remains the region’s largest employer.

“We are immensely grateful for our relationship with Crane and the work with our many regional partners to strengthen the defense innovation ecosystem in southern Indiana,” said Jeff Quyle, president and CEO of Radius and emcee for the Breakfast. “Radius is dedicated to growing the region’s prosperity, using economic development tools to strengthen our current business community as well as attract new companies. The rise of technological innovation at Crane is initiating conversations with companies that seek to grow here for access to the talent and innovation that reside in this region.”

As a prelude to the Congressional Breakfast, CRDG brought together the defense ecosystem for a first-of-its-kind networking event in our nation’s capital. Guests had a unique opportunity to interact with other defense industry peers along with academic and government officials and staff to discuss relevant topics. Additionally, CRDG officers and members were available to discuss the organization’s role in the southern Indiana community as an effort to expand community support and advocate for Crane at the local and federal levels. 

“As the Chief of Staff for the headquarters element overseeing 14 U.S. Navy installations, Naval Support Activity, Crane tops the list in terms of support from external Navy partners,” said Captain John Hewitt, Chief of Staff, Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic. “NSA Crane and their resident Navy and Army commands have and will continue to have tremendously strong support from a range of stakeholders including private industry, academia, the State of Indiana, civic organizations such as Radius Indiana and IN3, and Indiana’s Congressional delegation. These partners understand the vital work that goes on aboard NSA Crane – everything from ammunition manufacturing and storage all the way to advancements in hypersonic technology – and how the installation supports the broader context of America’s national defense.”

There were nearly 100 attendees for each event, including defense industry representatives, flag officers, congressional delegation members, senior executive service members, program office personnel, Department of Defense officials, professional staff members (House and Senate), corporate partners, Congressional Delegation staff members, and academic partners. 

“It was a pleasure and success to see so many industry peers and leaders together again in one room, not just once, but twice with the addition of the CRDG reception,” said Kent Parisien, chair of CRDG. “Our organization looks forward to hosting and attending both events again next year as we continue to advocate for Crane and the defense sector at the local, state and national level.”

Radius and CRDG expect to participate annually, and planning for future events has already begun. 

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ABOUT RADIUS INDIANA and CRANE REGIONAL DEFENSE GROUP: Radius Indiana is a regional economic development partnership representing eight counties in Southern Indiana. 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 is also the parent organization of the Crane Regional Defense Group, formed to preserve the strategic value of Crane by supporting local outreach and legislative initiatives that protect military installations in the region and state, and leverage the installation’s potential to bring economic growth to Southern Indiana.