"The more the business world knows about East Central Indiana, the more likely they will be to include our region on their lists of possible locations – as they search the world for expansion opportunities," advised Tom Farris, Muncie-based marketing consultant who directed the content for www.energize-eci.org, the new global website for Energize-ECI, the private/public partnership marketing the advantages of business expansion in a nine county area of East Central Indiana. Farris managed the creative and content aspect, while the web development team at C.S. Kern, Inc. engineered the technical and operational aspects for the newly launched site. "Since we are living in a global business environment – viewers may translate the information into six languages – German, French, Spanish, Korean, Japanese and Chinese– in addition to English," Farris added, "This shows the world that East Central Indiana is serious about welcoming new business opportunities to our region."

According to Roy Budd, Executive Director of Energize-ECI, "The regional website is a global portal for business development opportunities throughout E.C.I. – the website highlights the assets and attributes of our counties, towns and cities in the East Central Indiana area – the regional website will be used as a global marketing tool to enhance economic development and job creation opportunities throughout E.C.I." Areas participating in Energize-ECI include: Blackford, Delaware, Grant, Henry, Jay, Randolph, Rush and Wayne counties, plus the city of Anderson.

The site is comprehensive with its base of information, plus ability to link viewers to related sites to source more specific data and statistics. East Central Indiana has many competitive advantages in the eyes of site consultants:

• Central location to North America. Reach over 75% of the populations of U.S. and Canadian populations within a one-day truck drive
• High quality of life and work/life balance
• Available sites and buildings
• Workers of all skill sets
• Established transportation network
• Strong Indiana values and ethics
• Excellent business environment
• World class educational institutions
• Competitive operational and living costs

Viewers will learn that East Central Indiana has a population of 446,773; a resident labor force of 227,951; 210,508 total housing units, a K-12 education enrollment of 6,122; the median household income is $37,405; the cost of living index is 92.1%; and a recent employment rate was 94.18%.

East Central Indiana has a nice blend of cities and towns. The fifteen largest communities in the region include:

www.energize-eci.org has a section that tells about Energize-ECI, its programs, services, directors, officers and partners, plus how they work together with the local economic development officials in the area to market East Central Indiana. Viewers can learn Indiana’s national business rankings, such as – "Site Selection" Magazine (Spring 2006) rated Indiana the #1 State for Economic Development; names of the hundreds of companies who have made recent major investments throughout the region; and learn which area businesses make up the top 25 employers – here, you’ll discover some surprises …

Need a quick answer to a question about business sites or opportunities in ECI? Use the "Rapid Response" email form for a prompt reply. The current 48-page edition of the information-packed "RegionalFocus" magazine and the Energize-ECI newsletter may be read or downloaded from the site. Review state and ECI transportation maps; learn about state and local economic development incentives; read county summary information pages, then quick-link to each county’s economic development website – with the ability to connect with additional local links. Available building, sites and industrial parks from each county can be viewed. Viewers interested in detailed statistics, state economic and business information, plus information about area colleges and universities, have quick-link access.

"As with most websites," Farris advised, "The Energize-ECI site is an evolutionary project. We will soon be adding updated photos to the site, additional facts and information, plus a special section listing area manufacturing skills training and educational opportunities is being developed. Most people visiting the site find something new each time they visit www.energize-eci.org. I encourage all area residents to visit the site to learn more about the benefits of living and working here. It will change many long-existing perceptions about East Central Indiana – we live in a great area with even greater potential."

Energize-ECI, Inc. is located in the Energize-ECI Engagement Center, 122 E. Main St., in downtown Muncie – a building housing offices for other organizations focusing on economic development, small business growth, workforce training and education.. Energize-ECI may be reached by phone – 765.254.1420; fax – 765.254.1450; email – info@energize-eci.org; or by visiting www.energize-eci.org.