Dear Friends of Northeast Indiana,
Our region has long understood the critical role that residential development plays in driving economic growth. But why is this so important? Simply put, affordable and accessible housing is key to attracting and retaining the skilled workforce our community needs.
Please mark your calendars for Wednesday, Sept. 11 for the Housing Symposium at Purdue Fort Wayne, hosted by the SDC. This event will bring together key stakeholders to discuss housing strategies, review market study results, and address local needs. It promises to be an insightful day of learning and collaboration that will help propel our regional housing strategy forward.
Across the country, economic developers are increasingly focused on housing to ensure communities can support growth and offer residents a high quality of life. In areas with tight housing markets, employers often face challenges in attracting talent, which can hinder economic progress. By addressing housing needs head-on, regions can create a stable and attractive environment for both businesses and residents.
Since 2010, with the launch of Vision 2020, followed by Vision 2023, the Road to One Million, and Growing with Vision, we have consistently prioritized sustainable growth. In 2019, a study we commissioned from Zimmerman Volk and Associates highlighted our market potential and the need for significant new housing units. An updated version of this study will be released soon, providing fresh insights into our housing landscape.
Earlier this year, the Northeast Indiana Strategic Development Commission (SDC) launched a comprehensive Regional Housing Strategy — a pivotal step in ensuring our community continues to thrive and grow. This strategy is the result of years of collaborative effort among numerous stakeholders and is designed to build capacity and technical expertise across our 11-county region.
The strategy includes working closely with local officials and community leaders to foster an environment conducive to residential development. Key initiatives include reviewing and updating zoning and permitting rules, providing training for zoning boards, assisting developers in closing deals, and supporting homebuyers with down payments.
NEI is proud to play a significant role in this strategy. Our strong relationships, developed over 20 years of regional collaboration in economic development, have been instrumental in securing substantial resources to meet these housing needs.
The recent success of READI 1.0 and the upcoming READI 2.0, supported by the SDC’s commitment to building community capacity, highlights the effectiveness of a systematic, community-driven approach to addressing the systemic challenge of workforce-attainable housing.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication to making Northeast Indiana a great place to live, work, and grow. Together, we can build a brighter future for our region.
Warm regards,
Stéphane Frijia
