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Boone EDC Weekly
Greetings from the Boone EDC,
Welcome to Boone EDC Weekly.
As an organization, the Boone EDC is constantly researching and benchmarking to learn what our competing communities are doing to attract and retain business. Boone EDC Weekly is a compilation of noteworthy National and Indiana news about economic development trends. We will also post information about upcoming conferences, events, and
webinars that you may find interesting.
Boone EDC Weekly is another tool that you can refer to as a community leader to help Boone County continue to move forward in a positive manner.
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| Schools to Implement Manufacturing Program
High schools in Fort Wayne and Albion are the latest to join a pilot advanced manufacturing and logistics program. Conexus Indiana developed the curriculum in hopes of educating students about high-tech careers in manufacturing.
Conexus began exploring a high school AML curriculum over a year ago, responding to calls from industry for a higher-skilled, better-prepared workforce. Today's manufacturing and logistics jobs demand increasingly advanced technical skills; the majority of workers in this sector have now completed a college degree or industry training credential. With a rapidly aging workforce, employers have struggled to identify and hire younger employees with appropriate education.
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| Ball State Project Focuses on Community Assets
Ball State University has put together an in-depth analysis of the state's 92 counties. The Indiana Community Asset Inventory and Rankings assigns grades to each county based on factors including economic conditions, education attainment and local government efficiency.
Inside Indiana Business Article
Rankings
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Hockey League Expresses Confidence in Marion
Officials say plans for the sports and entertainment center near Ind. 18 and Interstate 69 are still on track, even if the timeline has been pushed back.
In May 2011, the Marion City Council approved the issue of $30 million in tax-exempt bonds to the Marion Sports Authority to fund the construction of an arena near Interstate 69 and Ind. 18. Developers Game 7 Seven would operate the facility and manage a minor league hockey team. When announced almost 10 months ago, it was hoped the bonds would be sold by that summer with the hockey team to arrive in the fall.
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Carmel Mayor Seeks Deal on Maxed-out TIF
Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard might relinquish his political trump card in an effort to refinance some of the $240 million in debt that's weighing on the city's tax-increment finance districts.
Brainard said he's looking to compromise with city councilors who want to have final say on future debt incurred by the Carmel Redevelopment Commission. The mayor-appointed commission has rung up $139 million since 2009, all independent of the council. Now it needs almost every dollar of $21 million in annual TIF revenue to cover payments.
Click here to learn more.
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Revitalization Project Ahead for Portage
A multiyear initiative outlined at the recent Portage Redevelopment Commission meeting is a U.S. 20 Revitalization Study that Mayor James Snyder sees as a major focal point for the redevelopment commission.
"Focusing on Route 20 has been something many people have tried to do in the past, but it hasn't been a focus. Under this administration, it's going to be a focus," Snyder said. "It's a real high priority."
The revitalization project will encompass the corridor along U.S. 20 from the Lake/Porter county line to the eastern boundary of Portage and the areas adjacent to the highway and would, in part, identify buildings for acquisition and demolition.
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How Local Economies Grow and Expand
This is a great publication from "Site Selection Magazine" that outlines the flow of money to a local economy. It goes into great depth regarding planning for growth, how growth impacts your local economy, and best practices for economic development.
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Boone County Cash Mob
A cash mob is a way to support a locally owned business with a little home-grown economic stimulus. Here's how it works. At a specific place and time, people are invited and encouraged to show up and spend $20 or more and also to invite their friends to do the same.
We are now taking suggestions for our next Cash Mob!
Support the Cash Mob on Facebook
Follow the Cash Mob on Twitter
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CDFA Webcast Series
The Science Behind Getting a TIF Deal Done
Tax increment finance is both an art and a science, and every state does TIF differently. Despite this, the most successful TIF deals across the country have common traits and fact-backed analytics to support them. What are these common traits and analytics, and how can you apply them to your deals? During this installment of the CDFA-Stone & Youngberg Tax Increment Finance Webcast Series, hear experts from model TIF programs discuss their quantitative and analytics-based approaches for consistently closing quality, and sustainable, TIF deals in their communities.
When: Thursday, April 5th, 2012 @ 1:00 p.m. Eastern
Cost: Free
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Nominate a Company to Watch
 The 2012 Indiana Companies to Watch awards program honors Indiana headquartered second-stage companies that demonstrate high performance in the marketplace or exhibit innovative products or processes. This program seeks businesses from all industries and all regions of the state. For eligibility and other information, visit the link below. |
Meeting Dates:
Boone County Commissioners: - April 16 @ 9 a.m. Boone County Council: - April 10 @ 8:30 a.m. Boone County APC: - April 4 @ 7 p.m. Boone County RDC: - April 20 @ 2 p.m. Advance Town Council: - April 9 @ 7 p.m. Jamestown Town Council: - May 1 @ 7 p.m. Lebanon City Council: - April 9 @ 7 p.m. Thorntown Town Council: - April 16 @ 7 p.m. Whitestown Town Council: - April 10 @ 6:30 p.m. Zionsville Town Council: - May 7 @ 7 p.m. Boone EDC Board of Directors: - April 26 @ 4 p.m. Boone EDC Executive Committee:
- April 12 @ 7:30 a.m.
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