Radius Highlights 2014 Goals
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowBusiness attraction, work force development and growing the Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center are the main 2014 goals for Radius Indiana. Chief Executive Officer Becky Skillman outlined the economic development partnership's priorities during the group's annual stakeholder meeting Wednesday in French Lick. March 12, 2014
News Release
Radius Indiana hosted the organization's 2014 Stakeholder Meeting on Wednesday, March 12 at the French Lick Resort. Becky Skillman, President/CEO of Radius Indiana, recapped 2013 accomplishments and outlined the key priorities for the coming year. In addition, Dan Peterson, Vice President, Industry & Government Affairs at Cook Medical and Chairman of the Southwest Central Planning Steering Committee provided an update on the Lilly Endowment-funded Southwest Central Indiana Planning initiative.
In describing Radius Indiana's priorities and work moving forward, Skillman said, “With the help of our partners in progress, we have made great strides over the past year. We are committed to continuing an intentional approach, ensuring that all of our activities are linked to regional impact.”
Addressing the over 100 assembled business leaders, elected officials, and economic development partners, Skillman stated the top three Radius Indiana focus areas moving forward are workforce development, business attraction, and continuing it's work to protect and grow NSA Crane.
“As a region, we must continue to be creative in our approach to business attraction,” Skillman said. “Just as the Radius Indiana region was at the forefront in taking a regional approach to economic development, we are now at the forefront in a marketing and business attraction approach. Our business-to-business marketing and business development methods are on par with those of larger urban areas, while being scaled to meet the needs of our region.” Skillman continued, “Rather than passively awaiting economic opportunity to find us, we will, as a region, continue to develop key strategic relationships targeting industries and businesses that are a good fit for the workforce, resources, and quality of life we have to offer.”
As Steering Committee Chair, Dan Peterson took the podium to provide an update of the $650,000 Lilly endowment-funded Southwest Central Indiana Planning activities. The initiative has been focusing on identifying opportunities, assets and resources that can be better utilized and coordinated to provide economic opportunities for its residents and communities. “Each of our committee members is deeply invested in the success of this unique part of the state,” he said. “Collaborative community engagement and participation representing a diversity in expertise are making this a successful project.”
Radius Indiana's advisory councils including it's Defense and National Security council and Tourism Development council will continue to work toward advancing the Radius Indiana region in those sectors.
Radius Indiana is a regional economic development partnership comprised of eight counties in southern Indiana: Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Orange and Washington. Formed in 2009, Radius Indiana also serves as the primary point of contact outside the gates for NSA Crane. Former Lt. Governor Becky Skillman assumed the role of President/CEO in February 2013.
ABOUT RADIUS INDIANA – Formed in 2009, Radius Indiana is a regional partnership representing eight counties in south central Indiana: Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Orange and Washington. The partnership also serves as a primary point of contact in Indiana for the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane Division. The partnership's mission is to advance the economy of the South Central Indiana Region by: generating high-quality employment opportunities; diversifying the region's economic base; and raising the standard of living for residents of the Region. To accomplish the mission of Radius Indiana, the partnership works diligently to develop and support the customized resources businesses need to successfully locate or expand in the South Central Indiana Region. The vision of Radius Indiana is to create a dynamic network of private and public partnerships that works together for the benefit of all. For more information, please visit www.radiusindiana.com. Source: Radius Indiana