On the surface, ED 201 was just another economic development forum hosted by the five northern counties of the region (Lagrange, Steuben, Noble, DeKalb and Whitley). The content was solid, comprised of the meat and potatoes development of sites, buildings and TIF districts. While the forum held in Kendallville may not have drawn excessive media coverage, in the midst of severe economic times these topics are timely for communities searching for meaningful answers to tough questions.
Beyond the relevant content, I was struck by a bigger picture during the session: Here we are, three years since inception of the Partnership and completely new behaviors are emerging from the graveyard of intense competition between counties for each and every economic development project.
Remarkably, I witnessed mayors, commissioners and developers from neighboring communities sitting side by side, confronting the common problem of product development in our region. Only an insider of economic development with historical perspective in northeast Indiana would be able to discern the dramatic change. Just a short time ago, the sharing of such information in development circles would be the equivalent of Microsoft and Apple discussing software codes; strictly held proprietary intellectual property. Today, however, these neighboring communities are understanding the power found in numbers. Not unlike politics, all development is still very local at the end of any day. But gone are the days when any community can hope to compete in the global economy without the support of workforce, natural resources, supplier networks, infrastructure and cultural amenities of a region.
I commend northeast Indiana's Galen Eberhart, Keith Gillenwater, Rick Sherck, Gary Nielander and Alan Tio, for their leadership in pulling together the conference. Job well done!
-John Sampson (President/CEO NEIRP)
1 comments:
Thanks John! We were very happy to have you as a speaker, and we are looking forward as we shift gears for next year's ED202!
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