Energize-ECI Regional Planning District

Elected to Membership in the

Indiana Association of Regional Councils (IARC)

Muncie, IN –  E. Roy Budd, Executive Director of the Energize-ECI Regional Planning District announced that the organization has been elected to membership in the Indiana Association of Regional Councils (IARC).  IARC is a statewide association of 14 organizations that provide comprehensive, regional planning services which are coordinated with local governments in Indiana.  Most of the IARC members were formed under Indiana Statute I.C. 36-7-7 more than 25 years ago, are funded by member county dues, multiple grant sources and fee-based services, and have governing boards comprised primarily of local elected officials. 

Mr. Budd commented, “Membership in IARC provides us with an excellent opportunity to learn more about grant possibilities and to build relationships with peer organizations throughout the state.  Indiana is known for its top-notch regional planning agencies.  Collaborations and information-sharing benefits everyone involved.  We’ve already put information and ideas gained from IARC meetings into action for our four-county district serving Blackford, Delaware, Grant and Jay counties.”

Established in 1997, IARC provides a statewide forum for directors, staff and board members of member regional planning organizations in Indiana to network and share ideas that promote economic and community development, transportation planning, smart growth and a multitude of other issues on a regional basis statewide.  IARC supports regional development efforts that prioritize and categorize local community and economic development needs and projects based on urgency, feasibility and determined

regional priority. 

Current member organizations of IARC include:

Eastern Indiana Development District

Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana

Energize-ECI Regional Planning District

Indiana 15 Regional Planning Commission

Kankakee-Iroquois Regional Planning Commission

Madison County Council of Governments

Michiana Area Council of Governments

Northeastern Indiana Regional Coordinating Council

Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission

Region III-A Economic Development District & Regional Planning Commission

River Hills Economic Development District & Regional Planning Commission

Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission

Southern Indiana Development Commission

West Central Indiana Economic Development District

About Energize-ECI Regional Planning District

Founded in 2009, the Energize-ECI Regional Planning District is a state designated (Indiana Statute I.C. 36-7-7), multi-county economic development and planning district serving the economic development, infrastructure and planning needs of Blackford, Delaware, Grant and Jay counties in East Central Indiana.  These counties were not affiliated with a designated regional district until the formation of the Energize-ECI Regional Planning District.  The organization’s scope of work is established by the State of Indiana, the U.S. Economic Development Administration of the Department of Commerce and focuses on the needs of the participating counties.  In 2009, the Energize-ECI Regional Planning District has been involved in over $9 million of funding – and successfully secured $4,051,825.00 worth of local, state and federal funding, year to date.

About Energize-ECI, Inc.

Established in 2005, Energize-ECI, Inc. develops a mission of globally marketing the 9-county East Central Indiana region and teaming with local economic development organizations (LEDOs) in Blackford, Delaware, Fayette, Grant, Henry, Jay, Madison, Randolph and Rush counties to bring new jobs and commercial investment to the area. 

For more information about Energize-ECI, Inc. visit their 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 Regional Report newsletters and news releases, summarizing recent economic development highlights in East Central Indiana, are available on the website.

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Prepared by Tom Farris

Energize-ECI Regional Planning District

P.O. Box 1912 / Muncie, IN 47308-1912

Phone: 765.254.0116 / Fax: 765.254.1450

Email: thomaslfarris@comcast.net