RDA VOTES TO APPROVE RCI FUNDING REQUESTS
Last week, the Board of the Regional Development Authority (RDA) for the South Bend – Elkhart region in North Central Indiana met to consider requests for Regional Cities Initiative funding.
The RDA allocated $1.864 million, the final portion of the $42 million awarded to the Innovate Indiana plan submitted by the South Bend – Elkhart Region in late 2015.
During the meeting, all 12 project applications received were discussed and evaluated based on the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) and RDA criteria for the Regional Cities Initiative. To learn more about the projects voted to receive funding, Click Here.
ATTRACTION UPDATE: IEDC SALES TRIP: NEW YORK CITY, NY
The South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership partnered with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) in conducting a series of sales meetings in New York City, August 15th-17th. The group met with consultants and site selectors during the day and hosted a suite of consultants, brokers and site selectors for the Yankees vs. Mets game.
This was a great opportunity to share Indiana’s story and expose deal-makers and decision influencers to the benefits of locating in the region. About IEDC.
ATTRACTION UPDATE: SIOR REGIONAL CONFERENCE: MILWAUKEE, WILast month, Emberton represented the South Bend – Elkhart Region at the SIOR Regional Conference in Milwaukee. Here she attended a series of networking events and an industrial panel discussion along with over a hundred top brokers from seven states in the Great Lakes Region. About SIOR.
ATTRACTION UPDATE: BISNOW’S NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL EVENT: CHICAGO, IL
Emberton also represented the South Bend – Elkhart Region at Bisnow’s National Industrial Event in Chicago. The reception and summit brought together top developers, investors, brokers, and logistics and supply chain experts from around the US to network and learn from 30+ experts on industrial real estate topics. These topics ranged from capital markets to global infrastructure to trade innovations.
While attendees were from across the nation, the Midwest-based location offered a unique opportunity to share the South Bend – Elkhart Region’s success story and highlight the benefits of locating in the region. About Bisnow’s National Industrial Event.
REGIONAL RESOURCES: 2017 WAGES & BENEFITS REPORT NOW AVAILABLE
In a survey of employers in the five-county region, the regional economic development organization found more than 85 percent of participants added workers in the last six months, with 42 percent already planning further employment growth in 2017. This is a decrease from 95 and 43 percent respectively in 2015. The average wage of all participants increased by 3.74% between 2015 and 2017, with the highest wage increases occurring in Human Resources, Construction and Technical Industries at 14%, 13% and 8% respectively.
The workforce outlook is contained in a voluntary survey of compensation practices and policies of 168 employers and 70,481 employees in the five-county region served by the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership. Survey participants include some of the area’s leading employers engaged in manufacturing, medical, logistics, financial, education and other activities, some with annual sales of hundreds of millions of dollars and others with only a few employees. View full report.
REGIONAL PARTNERS:
MARSHALL COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORP.
Since 2007, the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) has been the leading organization dedicated to strengthening Marshall County’s economy. The MCEDC works closely with the communities in the county, servicing Marshall County, the City of Plymouth, and the Towns of Bremen, Bourbon, Argos, Culver, and LaPaz to ensure their success.
MCEDC’s mission is to expand and diversify the local economy by fostering investment in new and existing facilities and creating entrepreneurial capacity. Recently, MCEDC has taken the lead in planning our county’s Regional Cities projects by coordinating application planning for a county-wide housing projects, spec building developments and entrepreneurship centers. About MCEDC.
PROPERTY HIGHLIGHT: ARGOS MANUFACTURING CENTER
The Argos Manufacturing Center is a joint partnership between the developer, Marshall County EDC, and the Town of Argos. This development, located within a 75 acre Shovel Ready certified park, is a customizable spec building set to be completed by December 2017.
Coming off the heels of a successful spec building in Plymouth that was purchased by Pretzels, Inc., the Argos Manufacturing Center will be more flexible and competitively priced.
Features include:
* Building-50,000 sq. ft. expandable to 300,000 sq. ft.
* Ceiling Heights-32′
* Colum Spacing-50′
* Walls-precast insulated
* Rail-Norfolk Southern
* Gas-NIPSCO
* Municipal Water
* Municipal Sewer
* Electric-Town of Argos, 400 Arp Service
For more information, email MCEDC President/CEO Jerry Chavez or call 574-935-8499.
REGIONAL WINS: 90 MINUTES BY 2020
The region welcomed US Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao to the area on Tuesday, August 29th for two separate transportation related events. First, Secretary Chao joined Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, officials from the Indiana Toll Road Concession Company, Rieth-Riley Construction representatives, as well as many other dignitaries from the region to celebrate the completion of the I 80/90 PUSH Project, a $200 Million improvement project for the road.
Secretary Chao then joined Governor Holcomb, Senator Todd Young, 2nd District Congresswoman Representative Jackie Walorski, 1st District Congressman Pete Visclosky and other local officials at the South Bend International Airport to discuss the South Shore Railroad Improvement project. Federal funds are being sought to complete the double-tracking of the South Shore, a top priority of State officials and local representatives in Lake, Porter, La Porte and St. Joseph Counties. Read More.
South Bend Regional Chamber President Jeff Rea commented “The South Shore Double Track project, the West Lake Corridor project, and the South Bend International Airport relocation project are all critical economic development efforts in Northwest and North Central Indiana. To better tie in to the third largest economy in the world will help in our efforts to attract new business opportunities and new people who may be attracted to all the big city offers while at the same time capitalizing on all Indiana has to offer. To date, the projects have garnered broad, bi-partisan support at the State and Local levels and we appreciate Secretary Chao’s interest in the project as the Federal Government also is a critical partner.”
To keep you updated on the latest news and information regarding this economic development project, visit 90×2020.com
REGIONAL COLLABORATION: WORKFORCE EDUCATION & TRAINING FORUM: OCT. 12th
The downside to a strong economy is a tight labor market. Employers are seeking new ways to connect with quality candidates, filling higher-level roles by offering additional training to employees with potential, and creating a culture that allows them to retain and develop their best and brightest workers! Join in on October 12 to hear best practices from your peers and to connect with the abundant education and training resources available in the South Bend – Elkhart Region. More Info/Register.
EXECUTIVE UPDATE
This month’s newsletter includes features on:
Regional Cities funding being allocated for quality of life projects like museums, zoos and parks as well as ongoing efforts to support the South Shore commuter rail connection to Chicago, aggressive business attraction efforts and initiatives like Manufacturing Day, the Wages & Benefits Report, a Workforce Education & Training Forum and new spec building development, all focused on helping our existing businesses thrive.
We know that in order to assure prosperity for all residents in the region, we must work together to be support strong companies and job options, a skilled talent pipeline, ample quality of life amenities, and be sure that these opportunities are inclusive and open to all. This work has become increasingly collaborative and there is great excitement about what the region is now, and where we are going in the future.
Regional stakeholders continue to work together as they outline strategies and tactics around entrepreneurship, education & workforce, industry growth, talent retention & attraction, and inclusion & diversity. We are looking forward to bringing this work together into a comprehensive regional economic development plan that can show where the region is headed, and what needs to be done to get there!
Best regards,
Regina Emberton
President & CEO
South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership
