IEDA Brings Site Selector Conference to Radius Indiana Region

BEDFORD, Ind. (August 21, 2017) – Radius Indiana served as the host sponsor for the 2017 Indiana Economic Development Association’s Site Consultant Event at the French Lick Resort, Aug. 16-18.

IEDA created the site consultant event in 2012 as a way for its statewide membership to connect with site selectors. This year’s conference in the Radius region marks the first time the annual event has been held outside of Indianapolis.

“Traditionally our members have to travel around the country to different conferences to meet with site selectors, said Lee Lewellen, CEO of IEDA. “This event gives us an opportunity to provide an unvarnished view of Indiana as well as learn from site selectors what they are looking for. We can then translate what we learn into actionable items for communities, business leaders and legislators.”

More than 100 business leaders, elected officials and economic development professionals from across Indiana gathered to hear from 10 national site selectors about how businesses choose locations for relocation and expansion, and what cities and counties can do to best position themselves for growth.

The two-day conference included multiple sessions from the visiting site selectors on topics from workforce to technology and manufacturing investment to site preparedness as well as presentations from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Indiana Office of Defense Development, and the Indiana Department of Transportation.

“This conference was very beneficial by giving perspective on new trends and data related to advanced manufacturing and location requirements. The diverse group of presenters made for a very informative session, and I look forward to taking this information back to my community to help us as we plan approaches to attract new business, said Justin Green, Salem City Council and Radius Indiana Board member.

As the eight-county economic development partnership for the region, Radius Indiana advocated to bring the conference to the area, and applauds the IEDA for its willingness to move to a new location this year.

“Radius, along with our local economic development organizations, travel to cities around the country to educate site selectors and business advisers on the advantages of doing business in our region. Bringing this event to southern Indiana was a tremendous opportunity for everyone to see for themselves what our area has to offer,” said Radius Indiana President and CEO Jeff Quyle.

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 IEDA: The Indiana Economic Development Association was formed in 1968 by industrial developers to provide continuity to statewide community development efforts. Today the nonprofit, 400-member association serves as the voice of economic development for Indiana. Made up of economic developers, utilities, attorneys, consultants, financial institutions, higher education professionals, engineers, architects and construction professions, the organization works to attract and retain jobs for Indiana. IEDA works to promote state and federal policies that support a positive business climate and ensures that the important economic development issues are on the agenda for state administrators and elected officials.