Sponsors

 

CO-SPONSOR


Lilly Endowment Inc. is a private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by three members of the Lilly family through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, the Endowment is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion and maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.


Strada Education Network is a national social impact organization dedicated to connecting today’s learners to the jobs of tomorrow. Our mission is to improve lives by forging clearer and more purposeful pathways between education and employment. We do this in three ways: Through research that yields fresh insights into how postsecondary education can best adapt to meet the demands of consumers and address evolving workforce needs. Through philanthropy that seeds promising, scalable, evidence-based strategies to give people, especially those from low-income backgrounds, the knowledge and experiences they need to have fulfilling careers. Through a network of seven affiliate organizations developing on-the-ground solutions to the needs of students and colleges, from providing better information on career options to serving adult learners more effectively. Learn more at StradaEducation.org.

 

CHAIRMAN'S CLUB


Accrisoft Corporation provides a finely tuned blend of technology and services that empower your economic development organization to accomplish your goals and better serve investors. Accrisoft Freedom™ is a comprehensive software solution that spans across your organization's operations, finance, marketing, and sales departments, allowing your entire team to work together harmoniously on a single platform.



Chmura Economics & Analytics is an applied economic consulting firm specializing in delivering advanced economic analysis. Our core competencies include economic consulting, economic development, workforce development, economic impact studies, custom publications, and data and software solutions. Chmura has the experience and expertise to transform data into information that drives effective strategy and business solutions. Our premier technology platforms - JobsEQ®, and LaborEQ® - are in widespread use across the United States. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, Chmura was founded in 1999 and operates regional offices in Cleveland, Ohio and Spokane, Washington.



DCI is "The Leader in Marketing Places." Since 1960, we have worked with more than 450 cities, regions, states, provinces and countries, helping them to attract investors, visitors, and talent. We specialize exclusively in all phases of economic development and tourism marketing including websites, branding, public relations, social/digital media, talent attraction, research, prospect development, travel trade, and special events. Current clients include a range of states (Texas, Michigan, New Hampshire, Vermont, South Dakota, and New Jersey), cities/regions (Charleston, Chattanooga, Cincinnati, Columbus, Houston, Research Triangle Region, and Birmingham) and countries (Netherlands, Thailand, Costa Rica and Japan), to name a few. DCI is headquartered in New York City, with offices in Denver, Los Angeles and Toronto.



Emsi is a one-stop shop for labor market data, helping economic development organizations fuel community success with data-driven decisions. With detailed data and expert analysts, Emsi is a must-have for economic developers. We are trusted by 300+ organizations in the U.S., powering 60% of state EDOs and ranked as the #1 information resource by C2ER. Our data, software, and consulting services help economic development professionals understand and communicate their communities’ workforce strengths, quickly respond to business inquiries, benchmark their regions against their peers, and boost their business retention and expansion efforts.



Founded in 1957, ICSC is the global trade association of the shopping center industry, with more than 70,000 members in over 100 countries. The shopping center industry is essential to economic development and opportunity, serving as job creators, drivers of GDP, and a critical revenue source for the communities they serve through the collection of sales taxes and the payment of property taxes. In addition to being fiscal engines, they are integral to the social fabric of their communities by providing a central place to congregate and participate in philanthropic endeavors. For the latest news from ICSC and the industry see www.thecenterofshopping.com.



Research Consultants International is the global leader in lead generation and qualification services for economic development organizations. Through our global partnerships we cover the globe with our network of 75 economic development consultants in over 20 countries. Our consultants speak over 15 languages and can work with your region to attract inward investments within the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Europe and Asia. Founded in 2010 our company has contacts in over 43 countries around the world and can connect you with the decision makers that are making the investment decisions for their companies.

FDI365 a proprietary tool launched in 2017 and developed to answer the needs of our clients that were searching for a targeted lead generation software. FDI365 combines the newest technologies along with human curated business intelligence to provide customized profiles of companies that match your region’s criteria and that we believe to be poised for an expansion project.



ROI Research on Investment is an award-winning global authority on lead generation and investment attraction for economic development organizations. Since 2003, ROI has worked with over 350 clients worldwide to attract job-creating, capital intensive, expansion projects. ROI's core areas of expertise include benchmarking/target industry analysis, lead generation, BR&E strategies, representation services, and customized training covering best practices in modern BR&E and investment attraction.

ROI recently launched Gazelle.ai; the first application designed to use AI and big data to solve many challenges faced by economic development, investment attraction and trade professionals. Gazelle.ai is a powerful one-stop business intelligence platform deploying machine-learning algorithms, human curated intelligence and big data to forecast company growth. This unique platform profiles millions of companies and features over 900 industry profiles that include heat maps illustrating 14 economic indicators at the State and County levels, including: establishment and employment growth, revenues, gross profit, average salary growth, etc.

 

SIGNATURE SPONSORS



Carmel is a fast-growing, economically-thriving city located just north of Indianapolis. Consistently honored as one of the Best Places to Live in America by CNN Money Magazine (No. 1 in 2012) and other surveys, Carmel is home to more than 120 corporate headquarters and 95,170 residents. During the past two decades, this traditional suburban community has been transformed under the leadership of Mayor Jim Brainard. His strategy to pursue redevelopment of the City’s central core, rather than allow continued suburban sprawl, has led to the making of a vibrant city that is sustainable, walkable and bike-friendly with nearly 200 miles of trails and bike-lanes. Carmel is also home to the Center for the Performing Arts and Palladium, the premier concert hall in the Midwest. With our 122 roundabouts, more than any city in America, Carmel is on track to eliminate every traffic signal (except one) within the next few years, which has decreased accidents with injury by 80 percent.



The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) leads the state of Indiana’s economic development efforts, helping businesses launch, grow and locate in the state. Governed by a 15-member board chaired by Governor Eric J. Holcomb, the IEDC manages many initiatives, including performance-based tax credits, workforce training grants, innovation and entrepreneurship resources, public infrastructure assistance, and talent attraction and retention efforts.



Lumina Foundation is an independent, private foundation in Indianapolis that is committed to making opportunities for learning beyond high school available to all. We envision a system that is easy to navigate, delivers fair results, and meets the nation’s need for talent through a broad range of credentials. Our goal is to prepare people for informed citizenship and for success in a global economy.

 

DIAMOND SPONSORS


BNSF Railway is one of North America's leading freight transportation companies. BNSF operates approximately 32,500 route miles of track in 28 states and also operates in three Canadian provinces. BNSF is one of the top transporters of consumer goods, grain and agricultural products, low-sulfur coal, and industrial goods such as petroleum, chemicals, housing materials, food and beverages. BNSF's shipments help feed, clothe, supply, and power American homes and businesses every day. BNSF and its employees have developed one of the most technologically advanced, and efficient railroads in the industry. We work continuously to improve the value of the safety, service, energy, and environmental benefits we provide to our customers and the communities we serve. You can learn more about BNSF at www.BNSF.com.


Hoosier Energy is an electric generation and transmission (G&T) cooperative headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana, operating a variety of facilities with a total generation capacity of over 2,000 megawatts. Hoosier Energy has developed and purchased numerous forms of renewable energy generation, ranging from landfill methane facilities to conventional wind power and hydropower, to our more innovative coal bed methane (CBM) operation. The Hoosier Energy Power Network consists of the 18 member cooperatives providing an estimated 650,000 residents, businesses, industries and farms in 48 Indiana counties and 11 southeastern Illinois counties with reliable and favorably priced electricity through its member distribution cooperatives. The Hoosier Energy economic development team provides a wide array of services including site and building searches, incentive guidance, site analysis and, electric rate estimates. Hoosier Energy encourages companies and site consultants to visit www.HoosierSites.com to use a series of unique tools and to see what great things are happening in Hoosier’s territory. Our Mission: To provide reliable and competitively priced energy and services in a safe and environmentally acceptable manner.

 

PLATINUM SPONSORS



Avalanche Consulting is the nation’s premier economic and workforce development strategist. Since 2005, we have served more than 150 communities, including high performing regions such as Atlanta, Charleston, Charlotte, Chattanooga, Cincinnati, Columbus, Houston, Jacksonville, and Miami, to name a few. Our mission and passion are to make communities more vibrant, prosperous places. We are driven to make a positive impact on the world and seek clients who are equally energized to improve their economies.


Business Facilities is the leading full-service media brand specializing in the site selection marketplace. In print, online, and face-to-face, Business Facilities has created a dynamic community that connects corporate site selectors with economic development organizations from across North America and around the world.

Business Facilities magazine is read by 40,000 C-level executives, corporate real estate executives and other site selection decision-makers. Published six times a year, each issue profiles state, regional and international locations. In addition, the full range of the site selection experience is covered, from "how-to" information on comparing the financial incentives offered by different communities around the world, to profiles of the latest relocations undertaken by major corporations.

BusinessFacilities.com is the share of market leader among all site selection websites, providing up-to-the-minute site selection news and industry-specific features. Resources for site selectors include a 50-state Incentives Guide, the Online Site Seekers' Guide directory, Location Spotlights and more.

Business Facilities LiveXchange is an invitation-only matchmaking event that connects corporate executives and site consultants that have active projects with economic development organizations from across North America. Representatives from Fortune 500 and mid-sized growth companies, plus leading site consultants meet with EDOs to discuss their relocation or expansion projects in prescheduled and confidential one-on-one meetings.



The race is on...for jobs, talent and capital investment. Is your organization ready? We can help. Founded in 2010, POWER 10 is a national capital campaign management firm specializing in campaigns to fund economic and community development programs at the city, county, region, and state levels. Our staff has managed more than 100 campaigns coast to coast and raised hundreds of millions of dollars. We are equally adept at managing first-time campaigns and “renewal” campaigns to fund second and subsequent programs. Founder and CEO Sean Mikula leads the firm together with Executive Vice President Amity Farrar, Vice President of Operations Laura Lilly, and a team of professional Development Directors and Planners. We play the role of “quarterback” in the capital campaigns we manage, provide on-site management of day-to-day campaign operations, and “make the Ask.” What distinguishes POWER 10 in the marketplace? It is the talent and tenacity of our team, the consistent quality of our services, and the fresh ideas we bring to each client. We do not rent out campaign directors, we do not “pop in” to our clients’ offices once per month and dispense counsel - we are “hands on,” all in and focused on WINNING.



The Indy Chamber serves as a voice of progress and improvement in the region, uniting business and community to maintain a strong economy and quality of life. Our advocacy efforts, networking events, economic development initiatives, and other member benefits position members, business leaders and the community for success. Indy has what it takes to be a world-class region, where innovation meets performance. The Indy Chamber is here to realize that potential to its fullest.



The Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership’s mission is to build, market and sell Northeast Indiana to increase business investment. Founded in 2006, the public-private partnership strives to build a globally competitive region. The Partnership’s Vision 2030 framework supports collaborative regional efforts to increase per capita income, population growth and educational attainment by focusing on business attraction, talent attraction and talent development. The Northeast Indiana region includes 11 counties: Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells and Whitley. The Regional Partnership recently unveiled the Make It Your Own brand to attract talent to live and work in the region. Make It Your Own is designed to assist regional employers in their recruitment efforts as they tell Northeast Indiana’s compelling story. The brand authentically positions Northeast Indiana as a community that offers unparalleled opportunity, affordability and quality of life. For more information, visit www.neindiana.com.



Northwest Indiana Forum, the second largest economy in the State of Indiana, is comprised of urban, suburban and rural communities boasting a $35 billion plus economy. Anchored by the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan and Indiana Dunes National Park, the modern industrial core blends to the farming and agricultural areas, all welcoming development opportunities. Global and domestic companies choose Northwest Indiana for its proximity to major markets--only minutes away from Chicago, superior infrastructure, affordable sites with the friendly tax/business climate of Indiana, and available skilled/quality workforce. A thriving population of over 846,000, Northwest Indiana offers the ideal setting to grow and expand operations with exceptional housing, experiences and amenities. From existing buildings to green space build to suit, Northwest Indiana is seven counties strong: Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Starke, Jasper, Newton, and Pulaski. For more information, visit www.nwiforum.org.



The world has changed; have you? Resource Development Group (RDG) was established in 1995 to provide experienced fundraising counsel to economic and community development organizations. RDG has worked with a wide variety of clients including Chambers of Commerce, Economic Development Corporations, Community Improvement Corporations, and Regional Partnerships in communities of all sizes. Our specific expertise includes managing multi-faceted fundraising initiatives in complex regions comprised of multiple political jurisdictions. We build organizations that build communities! We have managed more than 200 economic/community development funding projects generating close to $2 billion in operating revenue for our clients. In addition to revenue generation solutions, we also consult in areas designed to improve your organization’s ability to provide crucial solutions for your communities – organizational design, best practice work, performance benchmarking, and board restructuring to name a few. Our products range from “turn-key” capital campaigns to specific consulting solutions, all designed with your unique challenges and opportunities in mind.

 

GOLD SPONSORS



ACT Work Ready Communities helps locations integrate and align resources and leadership for a competitive workforce that meets employer needs and generates regional prosperity.



Indiana Michigan Power, an operating company of American Electric Power, is headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana and serves more than 597,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers. More than half of its generation is emission-free, including 2,278 MW of nuclear generation in Michigan, 450 MW of purchased wind generation, 22 MW of hydro generation and approximately 15 MW of large-scale solar generation. I&M’s economic and business development team specializes in managing large energy demand projects across industries such as metals processing, advanced manufacturing, medical devices, food and beverage processing, and plastics. AEP’s Transmission grid is the largest and most robust in the country with over 40,000 miles of lines.



Because no single factor drives the opportunity gap, no single fix will bridge it. That's why LISC has long deployed a comprehensive strategy for helping residents connect to safe, affordable housing, quality job training, financial coaching and much more. Over the next three years, we aim to invest more than $3 billion to catalyze opportunity for residents and communities for whom the American Dream has remained a dream—when it should be reality. We'll be directing 20 percent of our financing to rural places and Native communities. Our investments are targeted to

1. empower people, by connecting residents to job skills training and financial coaching, and by investing in education, healthcare and recreation facilities;
2. transform historically under-resourced places, by creating affordable housing, developing commercial and industrial districts, and forging community partnerships;
3. support local economies, by investing in small business development; and,
4. foster leadership and innovation, through cross-sector collaborations.



MIBOR REALTOR® Association (MIBOR) is the professional association representing central Indiana's REALTORS® in 12 counties. In the early 1990s, MIBOR became involved with economic development efforts in central Indiana with the expansion of United Airlines in Indianapolis. Now, nearly thirty years later, we are on the forefront in our involvement with economic and community development.

MIBOR empowers REALTORS® to lead the conversation by positioning them on boards for Local Economic Development Organizations (LEDOs) and prepares them to engage with local planners and elected officials on key issues.

MIBOR uses data to make informed decisions to educate and mobilize our community leaders on key issues for our neighborhoods and the region.

MIBOR invests in organizations and projects across the region that support attainable housing, a vibrant real estate market, talent attraction, and quality of life.

For more on our economic and community development efforts, visit www.mibor.com/econdevelopment.



The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. is one of the nation's largest diversified financial services organizations providing retail and business banking; residential mortgage banking; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management.

For more than 160 years, we have been committed to providing our clients with great service and powerful financial expertise to help them meet their financial goals. We are proud of our longstanding history of supporting not only our customers but also our communities, employees and shareholders.


Thomas P. Miller & Associates, LLC (TPMA) envisions a world that thinks strategically, works collaboratively, and acts sustainably. Since 1989, we have worked with economic development organizations, workforce development boards, chambers of commerce, non-profits, colleges and universities, and private businesses in more than 40 states. We are headquartered in Indianapolis with an office in Youngstown, OH.

Amidst the powerful forces of globalization, urban migration, and technological change, decision-makers are recognizing that traditional economic development is no longer sufficient. In order to adapt to the future, leaders must work to build resilient communities that align economic, quality of place, and talent development efforts to create sustainable growth. We are currently working on projects that include attracting investment to Opportunity Zones, designing local and regional economic diversification strategies linked to emerging industries, launching and expanding business-led sector partnerships for talent attraction and retention, and implementing public-private strategies to address workforce housing shortages.


Established in 1995, TIP Strategies' primary focus is strategic economic development planning. TIP’s expertise also extends to entrepreneurship, target industry analysis, workforce, and redevelopment. Recently, we broadened our competencies to include talent strategies and organizational development. While our demographic and industry analyses serve as the foundation for our strategic plans, we pride ourselves on our ability to think creatively—we develop a vision that is supported by the data, but not driven by it. Community leaders across the country have embraced TIP’s methods to achieve successful and sustainable economies. Our approach places a premium on well-informed decision-making, sound planning practices, and a commitment to the future.


Vectren, a CenterPoint Energy Company, is an energy delivery company which serves more than 1 million customers in Indiana and Ohio

 

SILVER SPONSORS


The Indiana Communities Institute (ICI) brings together many of Ball State University’s top research and outreach activities to assist Indiana communities as they strive to improve life experiences for residents, businesses, and visitors. ICI harnesses Ball State talent and resources to help Indiana towns, cities, and counties address 21st Century economic development challenges. Our research-policy-practice framework serves as a model for university economic development efforts across the nation. We believe that the single most important element in strengthening local economies is attracting and retaining talented individuals. We engage with economic development stakeholders at the community, regional, state, and national levels to aid in formulating and executing strategic, tactical approaches designed to improve economic prospects based on sound policy development and research findings. Our partnerships lead to informed, effective projects, strategies, and training programs that bring development efforts into the 21st century.



You’ll find us at the heart of business. With more than 600 attorneys and other legal professionals, Barnes & Thornburg LLP is one of the largest law firms in the country. We serve clients worldwide from offices in Atlanta, California, Chicago, Delaware, Indiana, Michigan, Minneapolis, Ohio, Texas and Washington, D.C. We provide guidance in more than 50 dedicated practice areas in real estate, government services and finance, litigation, intellectual property, labor and employment, healthcare, environmental, corporate, and finance, restructuring and insolvency. Find out more at btlaw.com.



Duke Energy Indiana’s operations provide about 6,800 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 820,000 customers in a 23,000-square-mile service area, making it the state’s largest electric supplier. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is one of the largest energy holding companies in the United States. Its Electric Utilities and Infrastructure business unit serves approximately 7.5 million customers located in six states in the Southeast and Midwest. The company’s Gas Utilities and Infrastructure business unit distributes natural gas to approximately 1.6 million customers in the Carolinas, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. Its Commercial Renewables business unit operates a growing renewable energy portfolio across the United States. Duke Energy is a Fortune 125 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com.


Expansion Solutions (ES) is a leading media outlet for world-class content, key industry-related trends and breaking economic development news. As a full-service agency with a complete suite of tools available for branding, marketing, public relations, and business recruitment assistance, ES provides a full spectrum of services and assists in facilitating connections between government agencies seeking to attract investment and corporate decision makers.

Published bi-monthly, ES provides an essential forum for economic developers to reach high-value prospects with targeted campaigns through print, web and comprehensive digital media campaigns. Offering custom content, ES delivers your message to a wide audience of site selection and industry professionals, corporate and commercial real estate brokers and C-level executives.

The highly successful and unique LeadGen program has generated proven results for clients, accelerating and optimizing ongoing business recruitment efforts and driving investment to their locations. This value-added service provides incomparable ground intelligence regarding expansion and/or relocation plans of companies across a wide variety of industries.

For more information, please visit our website at ExpansionSolutionsMagazine.com



The Indiana Municipal Power Agency was created by a group of municipally-owned electric utilities, enabling them to share power resources and provide electricity more economically to their customers. As a non-profit organization owned and governed by its members, IMPA focuses on providing its 61 communities with a wholesale power supply that is low-cost, reliable and environmentally responsible.



The Indianapolis Airport Authority owns and operates Indiana’s largest airport system in the Indianapolis metropolitan area. In addition to the Indianapolis International Airport (IND), its facilities include the Downtown Heliport, Eagle Creek Airpark, Hendricks County Airport-Gordon Graham Field, Indianapolis Regional Airport and Metropolitan Airport. IND generates a $5.4 billion total annual economic impact for Central Indiana – without relying on state or local taxes to fund operations. More than 10,000 people work at the airport each day, and 22,600 area jobs have a connection to the airport. IND serves more than 9 million business and leisure travelers each year, averaging 145 daily flights – seasonally and year-round – to 50 nonstop destinations. IND is consistently ranked, year after year, as the best airport in North America and the nation, based on ease of use, passenger amenities, customer service, local retail offerings and public art. The airport is home of the world’s second largest FedEx operation and the nation’s eighth-largest cargo facility. IND is committed to becoming the airport system of choice for both passenger and cargo service. For more information, visit IND’s Facebook page at Indianapolis International Airport and Twitter page at @INDairport.



The INzone, in partnership with the Indianapolis Airport Authority, administers the federal Foreign Trade Zone Program to importers across Central Indiana, helping them save import duties and improve global competitiveness. It provides resources to support manufacturer and distributor decision makers, economic development and other business partners, while educating stakeholders on Indiana’s foreign trade zone (FTZ) differentiator: 100 percent FTZ Alternative Site Framework designation, enabling a more efficient, customer-centric and less expensive FTZ process.




National Community Development Services (NCDS) has conducted over 700 campaigns for community and economic development organizations in 46 states, raising over $1.7 billion. More than 100 of these campaigns have been return engagements to generate fresh capital to renew previous programs. NCDS is known as a fast track campaign company, specializing in on-time, over goal campaigns. The firm introduced the strategic initiative concept to economic development organizations in 1977, which enabled hundreds of communities to gain major funding increases for new multi-year development programs, especially from the private sector.



OCO is a specialist Foreign Direct Investment, business attraction and retention and Trade consulting company. Headquartered in Belfast and with offices in key international locations including Dublin, London, Frankfurt, Paris, New York, Los Angeles, Dubai, Shanghai, Tokyo and Bogota, we have over 80 full time consultants specialising in strategy, organizational development and lead generation services.

Since 2001, OCO has worked with many world-leading international investment promotion agencies, providing advice and support in building and executing successful plans to attract international investment. We have successfully delivered hundreds of business attraction assignments for organisations such as Select USA, JETRO, SAGIA, DIT, Enterprise Florida, JobsOhio and Missouri DED, to name a few.

Our economic development services have helped Economic Development Organisations to define their economic policy, strategy and sector value propositions. We have also actively supported agencies in the implementation of strategy through provision of training, business intelligence and investor targeting services.

Through our Trade advisory services, we have extensive experience in advising SMEs and multi-national corporations in assessing, entering and growing in new markets, helping them to realise their international growth ambitions.



In the 1800s, South-Central Indiana was the new frontier. It still is . . . and One Southern Indiana is the organization to help you navigate your business to success. As the chamber of commerce and state recognized LEDO for Clark and Floyd Counties, right across the river from Louisville, Ky., 1si provides services to businesses interested in locating, and currently residing, in a business-friendly, family-friendly region. When you combine one of the top 10 tax environments, a top-three regulatory environment, and a low cost-of-living index with being a right-to-work state, locating to South-Central Indiana will get one of the lowest costs of doing business anywhere. Add in a top-shelf chamber of commerce, an award-winning economic development team and a vibrant Metro Manufacturing Alliance, you can’t go wrong. For more information, visit 1si.org or thefouridor.com.



Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs is a leader in addressing rural and state issues of national importance. Ranked in the top 50 most innovative public service schools in the country by Best Value Schools, the School was recently elevated to the 68th top U.S. News and World Report Best Public Affairs Grad School. The Voinovich School is a catalyst for regional, state and national impact in health and wellness, education, the environment, entrepreneurship and economic development. Partnerships with nonprofit organizations, government and the private sector create public value by leveraging the expertise of engaged faculty and professionals to develop researched-based solutions to intractable challenges facing communities, the economy and the environment. Home to the Master of Public Administration and Environmental Studies programs, the Voinovich School engages students in a combination of unique, hands-on learning opportunities and networking to bring their ideas to life.



The Regional Economic Development Initiative (REDI) Cincinnati is the first point-of-contact for companies locating or growing in the 16-county region at the heart of Southwest Ohio, Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana. REDI Cincinnati is supported by top business leaders and community partners, and staffed by a team of economic development experts who are uniting the Greater Cincinnati region to compete globally.

 

BRONZE SPONSORS



Ashmore Consulting is a full-service advisory firm supporting clients in over 35 states. We are the go-to experts when it comes to maximizing tax credits, business incentives and in the identification of strategic business locations. We guide executives and small business enterprises through the process of designing a portfolio of strategies and leveraging it for overall savings and cost reductions. With our comprehensive process, cutting-edge technology, experience and relationships we save our clients time; increase their ROI; reduce risk and ensure accuracy and consistency from start to finish.



Coastal Cloud, a Salesforce.com Platinum Level Partner, is a disruptive IT consulting company that delivers innovative business solutions built upon leading edge cloud computing technologies. Our team of experienced business technology consultants are 100% Salesforce Certified and 100% On-Shore. We have enjoyed significant market success from our headquarters in Palm Coast, Florida and are embarking on our next US expansion with new solution centers serving the country from Louisville, Kentucky and Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Our focus on nimble, innovative, citizen-focused technology solutions for state & local government organizations could help you accelerate your Economic Development success immediately. Please contact our team to learn more about our Economic Development Customer Relationship Management Quickstart Platform today. See us at www.coastalcloud.us.



We help communities and organizations of all sizes lead, oversee, and drive their transformational projects, and we work to build consensus among all stakeholders before the first shovel of dirt is overturned. We’re an impartial, third-party expert that has done this before. And the earlier you get CORE Planning Strategies involved, the more efficient and successful your project will be. At CORE Planning, our number one priority is helping you achieve your ideal project. We don’t design or build the projects themselves, rather we serve as project managers, coaches, translators, and, on occasion, psychiatrists, as you navigate the waters of community planning. Our background in architecture, engineering and construction means we can speak the language. We know the right questions to ask, the right partners to get involved, and what it’s realistically going to take to get the job done. And done well.



Grella Partnership Strategies “GPS” represents the future of public-private sector partnerships, Economic Development 4.0. We’re pioneering the next generation of thought leadership and solutions to tomorrow’s challenges and opportunities built upon collaboration, data analytics, diversity, education, entrepreneurship, equity, innovation, integrity, resilience, sustainability, and transparency. Our relationships encompass the technology sector’s most recognized and respected global brands with unrivaled experience leading economic development transactions in the past decade. We represent over $15 billion of project investments, tens of millions of square feet of new development, and over 100,000 new jobs in five continents in the e-commerce fulfillment, last mile logistics, hyperscale data center & corporate office sectors. GPS is revolutionizing traditional economic development business attraction & marketing strategies, incentive programs, and performance metrics to reflect Industry 4.0 with focus on improving economic, environmental, educational, health, & social outcomes. Call upon GPS to guide your organization and find its True North.



The Hamilton County Economic Development Corporation redefined its mission in 2018 and is focused on promoting the county as a great place to live, work, learn and play in this thriving central Indiana area. We provide resources, connectivity, collaboration and opportunity for people interested in living and working in Hamilton County, Indiana.



IEDA is the voice of economic development for Indiana. Made up of economic developers, utilities, attorneys, consultants, financial institutions, higher education professionals, engineers, architects and construction professionals, our members are passionately dedicated to attracting and retaining jobs for the great people of Indiana. In addition to frequent networking opportunities, IEDA members enjoy:

- on-going education
- the exchange of ideas and best practices
- interaction with legislators and state officials
- and the improvement of professional skills

IEDA also works hard to promote state and federal policies that support a positive business climate to help existing businesses flourish and attract new businesses to the state. Our advocacy experts help ensure that economic development issues remain on the agenda for our state administrators and elected officials.



The EB-5 Regional Center Program is a federal program intended to promote economic development and job creation by connecting individual foreign investors with local development projects in targeted employment areas. The Indiana Regional Center will serve as an intermediary to provide suitable projects and help process investments from abroad. By pooling multiple investments, more people are encouraged to invest, facilitating larger projects and more jobs. Funds from the EB-5 Regional Center Program have been used across the US, with many notable examples in downtown development, infrastructure and airport construction, military base reuse, and industrial area redevelopment. Proactive coordination with the Indiana Regional Center will help connect your qualified projects with much-needed investment. Economic development professionals can and should make use of the EB-5 Regional Center Program for qualified projects coordinated in tandem with development objectives. While investment can come from nearly all countries, the Indiana Regional Center and the legal team at Moreno & Villarrubia LLP utilize the unique skillsets and cultural knowledge of their legal professionals by focusing primarily on investments from Brazil, Iran, China, Mexico, and France.



IUPUI (Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis) is known as Indiana's premier urban research and health sciences institution and is dedicated to advancing the intellectual growth of the state of Indiana and its residents through research and creative activity, teaching, learning, and community engagement. Nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report, Forbes and other notable publications, IUPUI has nearly 30,000 students enrolled in 17 schools, which offer more than 400 degrees. IUPUI awards degrees from both Indiana University and Purdue University.



From its beginning over 34 years ago, Jackson County Industrial Development Corporation (JCIDC) in Seymour, Indiana has developed into one of the top industrial and economic development agencies in the Midwest. Since the economic downturn of 2008-10, JCIDC has helped facilitate “promised investment” of over $950 million from Jackson County industries and over 2,400 new industrial jobs, which has kept unemployment rates below state and national averages. In addition to attraction, retention and expansion efforts, JCIDC is also heavily involved in workforce development, and created the JCIDC Workforce Partnership in 1998. This program betters prepare the and future workforce by facilitating a number of programs for middle school and high school students, plus helps the incumbent workforce by assisting with post-secondary education and training. JCIDC also was involved in the 2002 creation of the South Central Indiana Economic Development regional marketing group, a 10-county region served by Interstates 65, 64 and 71.



The Johnson County Development Corporation (JCDC) is a non-profit private/public partnership providing economic development services for companies throughout Johnson County, Indiana. The services available include working closely with site selectors, providing comprehensive research and demographic information, coordinating between the state and the business for economic incentives, and meeting the unique needs of each community within our county. JCDC’s mission is to reach globally to enhance the county’s quality of life, standard of living, and tax base by developing a diversified and high income employment environment, and creating new capital investment opportunities through the retention and expansion of our existing marketplace and the attraction of new companies to our county.



Montgomery County, Ohio (USA) is at the heart of the Dayton region. Our team is committed to meeting our customer’s need for Speed, Risk and Cost in every project we touch. Within a day’s drive of 62% of the US population with a great cost of doing business, Montgomery County is home to companies like Yaskawa-Motoman, LexisNexis, CareSource, Emerson Helix, Verso Corp. and Fuyao Glass America. As part of the BusinessFirst! for a Greater Dayton Region, our economic development professionals and 100 partners are available to retain and grow local businesses. Wright Patterson Air Force Base is our region’s biggest economic driver, bringing a $16.7 billion economic impact and creating opportunities for innovation and creativity. Find out more at www.selectmcohio.com!


The City of Noblesville, population 61,882, is located twenty seven (27) miles northeast of Indianapolis and forty (40) miles from the Indianapolis International Airport (IAA), where 145 flights take off daily to fifty one (51) nonstop destinations. IAA is home to the second largest FedEx Hub in the world, with a planned $1.5 billion expansion over the next seven (7) years. Noblesville is located in close proximity to Interstates 65, 69, 70 and 465, providing a day’s drive to eighty (80) percent of the U.S. population. Since 2008, Noblesville’s largest employer, SMC Corporation of America, a 30% global market share pneumatics company, headquartered in Japan, supports customers in every industrialized country, has invested $137 Million dollars in a 2.5 MSF facility with approximately 950 employees. SMC is a leader in pneumatics technology and products that support automation for labor savings. For more information on Noblesville please visit, www.choosenoblesville.com.


The Shelby County Development Corporation (SCDC) is a non-profit, public/private partnership established in 1988 to promote economic growth and development throughout Shelby County, Indiana. SCDC works collaboratively with local and state officials to diversify the county economy through focused efforts on industry retention, expansion, and global business attraction. Shelby County offers convenient access to Interstates 74 and 65, and is located approximately 20 minutes south of I-70. Last year, Shelby County Development Corporation worked collaboratively with several local manufacturers to create Made in Shelby County – highlighting various products produced in Shelby County and distributed worldwide. The mission of SHELBY COUNTY Development Corporation is to increase compatible investment in Shelby County and assist with quality job development in existing and new businesses – thereby enhancing the quality of life in our community.



The world is taking notice of Westfield! Home to the Grand Park Sports Campus and Indianapolis Colts Training Camp, the city welcomes more than 2.5 million visitors each year. Westfield is known for its warm hospitality, excellent schools and extensive parks and trails system in addition to its close proximity to Indianapolis. With a current population of almost 40,000 people, Westfield has seen more than $500 million in economic development in recent years and is now the fastest growing community in Indiana. The city is also looking to the future by reinvigorating its downtown. The new Grand Junction Plaza, a truly unique public park and year-round gathering space, will transform Downtown Westfield into a vibrant destination for residents, visitors and businesses. For more information, visit www.westfield.in.gov.

 

LANYARD SPONSOR


Applied Marketing is a premiere business development provider. We specialize in assisting economic development organizations with targeting, profiling, lead generation, and appointment setting. Our business development process is focused on the planning and care needed for long-term success. Applied Marketing is dedicated to delivering a results-driven customer experience, by inspiring and nurturing your business development, through industry-leading research, high-quality marketing, and the best professional outreach services available.

 

CHARGING STATION SPONSOR


The MEP National Network™ is a unique public-private partnership that delivers comprehensive, proven solutions to U.S. manufacturers, fueling growth and advancing U.S. manufacturing.

Focused on helping small and medium-sized manufacturers generate business results and thrive in today’s technology-driven economy, the MEP National Network comprises the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST MEP), the 51 MEP Centers located in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, and over 1,300 trusted advisors and experts at more than 400 MEP service locations, providing any U.S. manufacturer with access to resources they need to succeed.

In 2018, the MEP National Network connected with 27,707 manufacturers, leading to $16.0 billion in sales, $1.7 billion in cost savings, $4.0 billion in new client investments, and helping to create and retain more than 122,000 U.S. manufacturing jobs.

 

MEDIA SPONSORS


For 23 years, Business Xpansion Journal magazine has delivered insightful, educational and other useful information to assist companies and their legal representatives with the expansion and relocation process. This process is complicated with so many variables, tangibles and intangibles. BXJ offers comprehensive tools to help understand incentives, workforce development, real estate, education, job training, transportation and much more. Each issue of the print and digital magazine, newsletter and complementing social media tackles geography state by state, industry by industry, along with the myriad of tax, legal and intellectual property issues that follow these decisions. Its editors get to the heart of economic development coverage and understand the categories of information and insight executives need in making informed relocation decisions. For more information please go to www.bxjmag.com. Business Xpansion Journal is published by Latitude3 Media Group headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama.


Conway is the world's only full-service agency in the global corporate investment and FDI industries. Conway has published the award-winning Site Selection magazine since 1954, and through offices all over the world we maintain an industry-best network of corporate expansion planners. Our suite of services includes:

LEAD GENERATION – connecting clients with decision-makers responsible for hundreds of billions in new investment projects each year
EVENTS – Conway has managed events across the globe, including the annual World Forum for Foreign Direct Management
FDI TRAINING SEMINARS – Site Consultants and corporate leaders teach economic developers the best strategies for connecting with their target audience
CONWAY ANALYTICS – a web portal and monthly reports featuring global project announcements and exclusive Lead Signals
PR & MARKETING – from brand development to media placement, we deliver your message to the world
CUSTOM CONTENT – Creating editorial excellence for more than 200 global clients
IAMC – Conway has managed the Industrial Asset Management Council since its inception.


fDi Intelligence is a specialist service from the Financial Times established to provide industry leading insight into globalization with a portfolio of world-class products, services and business tools that allow organizations such as economic development organizations, companies, services providers and academic institutions to make informed decisions regarding FDI and associated activities. The partnership of fDi Intelligence and GIS Planning makes us the world’s leading online economic development service, with the most powerful and comprehensive portfolio of online products and services to help you to drive investment into your location. To find out how these services could be of benefit, contact us at econdev@ft.com.

 

Partnering in Economic Recovery and Resilience


IEDC thanks Southwest Airlines for their support of volunteers going to Texas, US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Florida to assist in economic recovery. In its 47th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other air carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than 56,000 Employees to a Customer base topping 120 million passengers annually, in recent years. Southwest became the nation's largest domestic air carrier in 2003 and maintains that ranking based on the U.S. Department of Transportation's most recent reporting of domestic originating passengers boarded. During peak travel seasons, Southwest operates more than 4,000 weekday departures among a network of 100 destinations in the United States and 10 additional countries.