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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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What Will Fill the Void in Economic Development, Job Market?
The Star Press - Raymond H. Scheele
A recent Sunday Star Press included three opinion columns connected by the notion that we are rapidly losing skilled workers, and these potential employees do not have the education and training to find jobs in the current labor market.
Michael Hicks pointed out that "Our current education policy mindlessly pushes more men and women into college without regard to aptitude, interest or labor market demand," and many of these "are likely to shy away from tough majors, learn little, saddle themselves with huge debt and find themselves without the skills needed to successfully enter the job market."
Robert Gortner raised the consequences even higher than Hicks, claiming that "the loss ... of skilled factory workers who are capable of making products, large and small," is critical to our leadership position in the world and "even survival as a society. ..."
Click here to learn more.
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Three Tough Economic Development Questions & Answers
Indiana Economic Digest - Morton J. Marcus
- If there is under investment in the infrastructure of both the public and private sectors, is the problem a lack of vision from our leaders?
- Is this deficiency based on the perceived gradual, long-term weakening of our economy that reduces the rewards of investment?
- Is the public afraid to support visionary leaders who would invest in new infrastructure?
Click here to learn more.
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Governor Must Attract Jobs That Pay Better
Times of Northwest Indiana - Doug Ross
Democrat John Gregg and Republican Mike Pence, both running for governor, both said to Northwest Indiana audiences Aug. 24 that the primary focus now should be on jobs. And each is right. If you don't have a job, you already know why. But let's throw a few numbers out there anyway.
Indiana's jobless rate was 8.2 percent in July. That's below the 10.8 percent in the middle of 2009 but still uncomfortably high.
There's another set of numbers for the candidates, and all Hoosiers, to consider as well.
In 2005, Hoosiers' per capita personal income was $31,268, or 88.3 percent of the national average. That's a problem. In 2010, Hoosiers' incomes rose to $34,042, but that was just 85.2 percent of the $39,945 national average. The problem has worsened.
Click here to learn more.
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Manufacturing Has Returned, But Skilled Workers Are Scarce
Site Selection - John McCurry Manufacturing is on the way back in the U.S. Increasingly, it involves advanced techniques, equipment and processes, says a noted researcher of industrial issues in North America. "If you are in manufacturing, you are using advanced manufacturing technologies," says David Cole, chairman emeritus of the Center for Automotive Research, a nonprofit industry think tank based in Ann Arbor. "You cannot build an economy like ours without advanced manufacturing. Every job has a multiplier of 10. Contrast that with Wall Street jobs, which have a multiplier of two. We have to make things as a matter of necessity for the continuing strength and foundation of our economy. Without manufacturing, we will be economic toast." More recently, Cole is founder of AutoHarvest, a social networking site that supports advancement in manufacturing through collaboration. Its goal is to accelerate product development. But there is a catch to manufacturing's comeback, and it's a big one, Cole says. An acute shortage of skilled workers poses a significant threat, he says. "The worker supply is the most serious issue, the choke point," Cole says. "The looming problem here is huge with respect to skills. Generally, we are under-populated with STEM skills. There are huge social problems emerging because so many people don't have the skills to be part of the work force. Kids do not have a good picture of what manufacturing is today. Everything in advanced manufacturing is software driven. You are making measurements of things and keeping track of parts. Processes are managed in an amazingly high-tech manner." |
"We Are City Summit" Planned for Indy
Inside Indiana Business "We Are City: Summit" is a half-day conference examining national and local issues facing cities. The idea behind the summit is to have the public engage with urban leaders and change-makers to discuss how national and local initiatives can be advanced around themes of "measure," "interpret" and "connect." Examples include the creative use of civic data in Boston, an urban museum of genetically modified organisms in Pittsburgh, and green job creation in Cleveland. These case studies will be discussed in relationship to local projects in Indianapolis, and the presentations will include facilitated audience feedback sessions. "'We Are City' is an effort to build consensus around a variety of topics, to form a shared narrative of our values and vision for Indianapolis," said Michael Kaufmann, director of special projects and civic investment at Health and Hospital Corporation, one of the cofounders and organizers of the event. "The goal is to propel us forward through both an analysis of our past, an acknowledgment of our present and a hope for our future." When: Friday, September 21 Where: Harrison Center for the Arts Time: Noon - 5 p.m. Cost: $20
For more information, call (317) 635-9268 or sign up here.
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CDFA WebCourse: Intro to Public-Private Partnerships
The Intro Public- Private Partnership Finance WebCourse examines this emerging development finance model with a focus on how development finance agencies can adopt P3 principles to address a variety of projects. This course will cover basic P3 concepts, key players involved in transactions, asset valuation, contract negotiation, risk assessment, revenue stream development, and feasibility analysis. In addition, several P3 projects from across the country will be presented, and P3 experts will analyze the successful elements in each deal.
When: December 12-13, 2012
Time: Noon - 5 p.m.
Cost: Member $550 Non-Member $600
Click here to learn more.
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Fanimation Invites You to Urbanjet Release Party
You are invited to join Fanimation for a family friendly event celebrating the release of their new retro-styled URBANJET desk fan. See over 450 antique fans in their Antique Fan Museum and drool over a variety of cool classic cars while dinner on delicious FREE food from Edwards Drive-In Dashboard Diner food truck When: Saturday, September 29 Where: 10983 Bennett Pkwy, Zionsville, IN 46077 Time: Noon - 11:00AM to 2:00 PM Cost: FREE |
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Support Witham
Meeting your needs can now help Witham Health Services serve the community better. Thanks to a new partnership, proceeds from orders placed on Amazon.com through the Witham Health Services Foundation's website will provide a new source of financial support.
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Meeting Dates
Boone County Commissioners: - September 17 @ 9 a.m. Boone County Council: - September 11 @ 8:30 a.m. Boone County APC: - October 3 @ 7 p.m. Boone County RDC: - September 21 @ 2 p.m. Advance Town Council: - September 10 @ 7 p.m. Jamestown Town Council: - October 2 @ 7 p.m. Lebanon City Council: - September 10 @ 7 p.m. Thorntown Town Council: - September 17 @ 7 p.m. Whitestown Town Council: - September 11 @ 6:30 p.m. Zionsville Town Council: - October 1 @ 7 p.m. Boone EDC Board of Directors: - September 27 @ 4 p.m. Boone EDC Executive Committee:
- September 20 @ 7:30 a.m.
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