FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership today announced the 11-county region’s 3-year strategic plan. The rolling strategic plan for 2023 through 2025 outlines how Northeast Indiana will continue to build an economically resilient region by increasing the region’s competitiveness to attract new investment.
Stephane Frijia, president and CEO of the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership, said the plan presents pragmatic and forward-looking strategies for positioning Northeast Indiana as the location of choice for all businesses and people determined to be tomorrow’s market leaders.
Plan development revealed Northeast Indiana must pivot to compete for higher value-added economic activities, rather than solely compete on cost or incentives.
“Competing on value requires a stronger understanding of business challenges and a willingness to develop true partnerships that offer a wide range of solutions,” Frijia added. “These partnerships can fuel solutions and innovation in workforce and talent development, access to customers, supply chains, quality infrastructure and strategic partnerships with universities and colleges.”
To increase economic competitiveness, the strategic plan identifies three key economic growth strategies, including:
- Capturing business development opportunities and increasing transactional capabilities
- Accelerating innovation and technology
- Fostering alignment for equitable and inclusive job creation and competitiveness efforts across Northeast Indiana
The Regional Partnership has set key metrics and milestones to measure the region’s process over the next three years. The following key performance indicators will be used to track the region’s economic competitiveness:
- The support of 190 new expansion and relocation projects
- 20 new expansion and relocation projects won
- 3,000 net new jobs
The Regional Partnership’s board approved the plan of directors, led by Steel Dynamics Inc. CEO and board chairman Mark Millett.
“Northeast Indiana business leaders have voiced a strong desire for bold action. This plan reflects the region’s strong leadership and collaboration, and will position the region for the next economy,” said Millett.
The Regional Opportunities Council, the Regional Partnership’s investor board of business leaders, provided input during the process and also supported the plan.
Don Cates, president and CEO of 3 Rivers Federal Credit Union and chair for the ROC, said the strategic plan is full of new ideas and opportunities, which has business leaders excited about the region’s future.
“Creating an economically resilient community doesn’t happen overnight and businesses are invested in the growth of the region’s economy. This 3-year roadmap will enhance Northeast Indiana’s ability to compete for businesses and talent in the global economy and build the economic resilience our region and its businesses need,” said Cates.
The Mayors and Commissions Caucus, a membership of elected officials in the region’s 11 counties, also supported the strategic plan.
Steve McMichael, Mayor of New Haven and president of the Mayors and Commissioners Caucus of Northeast Indiana, said the 3-year strategic plan ensures a clear path to growth in our region.
“The strategic plan identifies clear actions, outcomes and metrics to track our region’s progress to strengthen the region’s global competitiveness and economic resiliency,” said McMichael.
The Local Economic Development Organization (LEDO) Council from Northeast Indiana’s 11 counties approved the plan as well.
To learn more about the Regional Partnership’s 3-year strategic plan, visit the website to download the report.
About the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership
The Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership’s mission is to drive business investment and strengthen the region’s global competitiveness and economic resiliency. Founded in 2006, the private-public partnership strives to be the location of choice for all businesses and people committed to being tomorrow’s market leaders. Serving as Northeast Indiana’s primary point of contact for regional economic development, Northeast Indiana’s 11 counties are made up of Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells and Whitley counties. For more information, visit www.neindiana.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jonathan Sackett
Vice President of Marketing & Communications
Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership
630-291-0151
jonathan@neindiana.com
