Dearborn County Launches Business Development Program

Mike Perleberg is the executive director of One Dearborn Inc.

One Dearborn Inc. is partnering with Purdue Extension to launch a community economic development program in Dearborn County. The organization says the goal of the Dearborn County Business Retention & Expansion Program is to engage local businesses and fuel economic development.

In the first cycle of the BR&E program, the partners will focus on businesses in the agricultural and food and beverage processing industries in Dearborn County. One Dearborn says businesses will have the opportunity to share their views of the local business community, which will be used for future planning.

“According to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, more than 70 percent of new projects, investments and jobs in the state result from existing employers,” Mike Perleberg, executive director of One Dearborn Inc. “That’s why we need to better understand the challenges being faced by Dearborn County’s most valuable economic and employment assets – our businesses.”

A Dearborn County BR&E Task Force has been established, which includes representatives from the Dearborn County Chamber of Commerce, Indiana Small Business Development Center, and Ivy Tech Community College, among others.

Earlier this week, the Daviess County Economic Development Corp. outlined a similar program in partnership with Purdue Extension.