Muncie, IN – Holly A. Chaille, Resource Development Manager for the Energize-ECI, Inc. / Delaware-Blackford County collaboration, was one of over 6,000 people attending the 12th Annual National Brownfields Conference “Roadmap to Revitalization”, May 5-7, 2008 at Detroit’s Cobo Center. The conference is the preeminent marketplace of ideas, technologies, and lessons learned for communities, states and tribal organizations working to clean their contaminated or underutilized lands. Professionals attending included: environmental and economic development officials; finance and insurance providers; risk managers; planners, attorneys, environmental and civil engineers, grant- writers and administrators; government officials; not-for-profits; consultants, academics and others. Addressing the nation’s brownfields – abandoned or underutilized properties stigmatized by past commercial or industrial uses – is an ongoing challenge for communities in Blackford and Delaware counties. By focusing on redevelopment, properties are put back into productive use for communities while helping to keep undeveloped lands in a natural state.

The National Brownfields Conference’s educational programs featured more than 150 sessions on green development, remediation, risk management, real estate, grant opportunities and much more. More than 250 exhibitors displayed the latest technologies and services. Mobile workshops and a walking tour of several Detroit areas provided a firsthand experience to view brownfield reclamation and redevelopment projects. A unique conference feature was the Brownfields Transaction Forum, which brought together property owners with developers, investors and financiers to talk about specific sites available for purchase, lease and new uses. Numerous roundtable sessions, networking events, special training sessions and film screenings were also available to conference participants. The National Brownfields Conference is managed by the International City/County Management Association, in partnership with the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

E. Roy Budd, Executive Director of Energize-ECI, Inc., commented, "There are many brownfield opportunities in Blackford and Delaware counties – we drive by some of them each day. The participation in this national conference by Holly Chaille, our new Energize-ECI, Inc. Resource Development Manager, will provide her and our collaboration with newly defined brownfield development strategies and priorities, plus an insight into potential funding sources. Recycling abandoned or underutilized industrial and commercial properties is integral to the revitalization of East Central Indiana. It’s a major undertaking, and one that is long overdue."

Energize-ECI, Inc. is a public/private partnership providing pro-active services and programs to encourage new business investment in East Central Indiana. Energize-ECI, Inc. acts as a single point of contact for promoting the many advantages of operating a business in the region, collects and cultivates leads and assists individuals, site consultants and companies researching the area. Energize-ECI, Inc. answers inquiries regarding sites, buildings and regional information, then directs leads to the appropriate local economic development groups. Energize-ECI, Inc. provides support to: Blackford, Delaware, Fayette, Grant, Henry, Jay, Madison, Randolph, Rush and Wayne counties. Funding for trade missions, exhibits, marketing, programs, services and materials is provided by public and private entities throughout East Central Indiana, by foundations and grants. The Energize-ECI, Inc. Resource Development Manager is a position funded by a collaboration between Delaware County, Blackford County and Energize-ECI, Inc. for grantwriting and grant administration to benefit the two counties.

Details about Energize-ECI, Inc. and information about East Central Indiana may be viewed at the comprehensive Energize-ECI, Inc. website www.energize-eci.org. The organization may be contacted at the Energize-ECI Engagement Center, 122 E, Main St., Muncie, IN 47305 (P.O. Box 1912, Muncie, IN 47308-1912); by phone at (765) 254.1420; fax (765) 254.1450 and by email info@energize-eci.org. Energize-ECI’s 48-page REGIONAL-FOCUS magazine, which contains a great overview of East Central Indiana – along with Energize-ECI’s newsletters - may be read or downloaded by going to the website.