State to Host Regional Conferences
The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs has announced a series of regional conferences throughout Indiana in October. Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann and Indiana Economic Development Corp. President Eric Doden will keynote each of the eight conferences. September 30, 2014
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) is hosting eight regional conferences throughout Indiana in October.
Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann and Indiana Economic Development Corporation President Eric Doden will be the keynote luncheon speakers for each conference. All conferences will be held from 9:00am-4:30pm (local time).
Conference locations include:
October 2 Valparaiso
October 7 New Castle
October 8 Scottsburg
October 10 Bloomington
October 14 Jasper
October 23 Kendallville
October 28 Crawfordsville
October 30 Peru
Each conference will offer information about current and new OCRA programs and how community leaders and decision-makers can facilitate community improvements through OCRA’s resources.
Encouraged to attend are civic volunteers, mayors, council-members, county officials, members of the Indiana General Assembly, Main Street organizations, local and regional economic development officials (LEDOs), community foundation staff, convention and visitors bureau staff, educators, and youth program coordinators.
Lt. Gov. Ellspermann will deliver the keynote address at Noon and speak on the importance of rural economic development, the value of the Community Readiness Index and Hometown Collaboration Initiative and report on how access to broadband for Internet and other communication services is an essential tool for communities in the 21st century economy.
Presentations will also be provided by:
-Dick Heupel, Director Economic & Community Development, Ball State Building Better Communities
– Michael Hicks, Director Center for Business and Economic Research, Ball State University
-Sharon Canaday, Associate Director, Economic & Community Development, Ball State Building Better Communities
-Bo Beaulieu, Director Purdue Center for Regional Development
-Michael Wilcox, Assistant Program Leader, Economic & Community Development, Purdue Extension
-Scott Hutcheson, Senior Associate, Economic Development & Business Growth Strategist, Purdue University
-JoAnna Mitchell-Brown, Senior Research Fellow, Housing & Community Development, Sagamore Institute
Source: Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs