Author: radius

Small Business Gets a “Checkup” in the Radius Region

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BEDFORD, Ind. (June 20, 2017) – Radius Indiana released today the first findings from the Radius Small Business Index (SBI). The index shows that while rural communities in Indiana generally have a less favorable business climate than urban counties, the counties in the Radius region have held their own, even while lagging in some categories of statistics.
Radius Indiana developed the Radius SBI as part of a series of three indices, which also include manufacturing and tourism, to provide the organization with analytic tools that monitor several facets to gauge the strength of the regional economy in southern Indiana.
Statistics reveal that while some economic factors impact urban and rural communities in similar ways, smaller population centers, and subsequently a lower number of potential consumers, present specific challenges for rural areas.
“Our Radius Small Business Index gives us a good benchmark to begin tracking the growth of this important business sector in our region,” said Radius Indiana President and CEO Jeff Quyle. “Last year the Indiana Small Business Development Center reported that the Radius region is home to nearly 9,000 small businesses-that number represents a significant part of our local economy. While we know there are challenges for rural communities, we also know that our area is committed to helping our small businesses succeed.”
The Radius SBI looks at a collection of 13 statistics for the eight counties of Radius, and compares the result to 70 other counties in Indiana that are considered “rural.” The relevant statistics measure the numbers of small business in a community, their revenues, innovation (measured as a leading indicator of potential new small business births), employment, and earnings from the latest complete year of data, 2015.
The index also includes a comparison to the statistics for all 92 counties in Indiana, a benchmark number that is skewed by the inclusion of such urban counties as Allen, Vanderburgh, Marion, and Lake, among others.
The Radius region has an index ranking of 39.41, compared to a rural Indiana county benchmark of 52.59, and a total Indiana rank of 138.18. While the Radius SBI number and the rural Indiana index number are close to one another, the larger total Indiana index number reflects the urban impact of more small business establishments per county, greater receipts per establishment, and greater numbers of patents per county.
According to the statistics, the average number of patents issued in Radius counties is below the average for all Indiana rural counties, as well as below the overall 92-county average for the state. The disparity in numbers for the patent portion of the index accounted for 60 percent of the difference between the Radius region and the rest of rural Indiana.
As a result of compiling this index tool, Radius will begin to explore steps that can be taken to improve opportunities for entrepreneurs and small businesses.
“One step Radius is investigating is the development of a regional network to help aid entrepreneurs in the region,” said Quyle. “Radius will call together a collaborative group of local economic development leaders and others to explore formation of such a regional network.”
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.
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Radius Indiana’s Regional Economic Development Course Returns Next Spring

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BEDFORD, Ind. (JUNE 20, 2017) – Radius Indiana announced today that its regional economic development course, Economic Development for Community Leadership Program, will return for a second run March 27-29, 2018 at the French Lick Resort.
The inaugural economic development course held earlier this year was attended by more than 40 people representing 14 Indiana counties who gathered to learn 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.
The Radius Indiana Economic Development for Community Leadership Program is the first course of its kind to be offered in the area. The course’s registrants included mayors, council members, county commissioners, chamber of commerce leaders, tourism directors, economic development professionals and congressional staffers.
“Based on the high level of interest and the immediate positive feedback from our first session, we’ve already started planning for next year,” Radius Indiana President and CEO Jeff Quyle said. “This year’s attendees and speakers exceeded my expectations and I look forward to offering the program to more leaders in the region in 2018.”
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.
Executive Director of the Jasper Chamber of Commerce and Jasper City Council member Nancy Eckerle, who was among this year’s attendees, added, ” This course was quite comprehensive regarding economic development. I also enjoyed getting to know many of the ED and community folks that attended. It was great to hear what other communities are doing – and how they are accomplishing growth and development. Radius did a great job of choosing speakers, consultants and examples for the area communities to learn ways to network and connect on these important topics and issues.”
Formal registration will open up later this year, but Radius anticipates that the course will fill up quickly and encourages those interested in being added to next year’s roster to 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’s Timbrook Graduates from OU Economic Development Institute

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BEDFORD, Ind. (June 12, 2017) – Radius Indiana is proud to announce that Chief Operating Officer Joe Timbrook graduated from the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute May 4, 2017 at the OU EDI Spring session held in San Antonio, Texas.
The OU EDI Spring session is an intensive week long, three-tier program that provides a broad spectrum of advanced education for the economic development professional. It is the final education installment for students who have completed a total of 117 hours of instruction with curriculum selected from more than 50 seminars, workshops and discussion groups.
Timbrook becomes one of only three area leaders to graduate from the esteemed program. Bedford Mayor Shawna Girgis and Martin County Alliance Executive Director Tim Kinder have also completed the program. Timbrook will now prepare to test for the economic development industry’s nationally recognized designation as a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD).
“Completing this program is no small undertaking and is a true testament to Joe’s commitment to economic development,” said Radius Indiana President and CEO Jeff Quyle. “We are so fortunate to have Joe as part of our team — his enthusiasm and dedication for the region are evident in all he does at Radius.”
OU EDI classes focus on three major core areas including: Business Retention and Expansion, Real Estate, and Finance, as well as areas of concentration in Marketing, Strategic Planning, Entrepreneurship, and Managing Economic Development Organizations.
OU EDI Dean Peter Abramo said, “As the premier organization dedicated to training economic development professionals, I am very pleased with this year’s graduates. They represent some of the finest economic development practitioners in the U.S. working to support their local communities. My congratulations to them.”
Beginning in 1962, OU EDI is celebrating its 54thyear of service to the economic development community. Fully accredited by the International Economic Development Council, the program has trained over 4,000 graduates and remains the world’s leading economic development teacher.
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 Shares The Region With Cleveland

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BEDFORD, Ind. (June 6, 2017) – Radius Indiana and a representative from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation traveled to Cleveland 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 third visit in a series of about 10 economic development trips that Radius has planned for 2017, and the second trip for Radius to Cleveland. 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.
IEDC Regional Director Trevor Lane joined Radius Indiana President and CEO Jeff Quyle on the visit to meet with several site selectors who work with a variety of clients, including many that are part of the food manufacturing industry. The site selectors report a good deal of projects coming through the pipeline, but caution that many companies are being cautious as they await possible changes in federal tax regulation and other business operating factors.
Quyle and Lane learned that while the site selectors had familiarity with Southern 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 in counties like Dubois.
“The opportunity to share all our region has to offer has a positive impact on our economic development efforts. The site selectors were interested to learn about the skilled workforce at Crane and the region’s high concentration of STEM professionals. We were also able to put the region in context for them and highlight its proximity to other regional cities and just how connected we are with our interstate system,” 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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Radius Indiana Closes Out First Regional Economic Development Course

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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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