Muncie, IN – Representing East Central Indiana at the Expansion Management Conference, “Roundtable in the Rockies,” March 29th through April 1st, at the Sonnenalp Resort in Vail, Colorado were; E. Roy Budd - Executive Manager, Energize-ECI, Inc.; Angelina Lindahl – Project  Manager, Grant County Economic Growth Council; and Terry Murphy – Vice President, Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance.

The conference featured eight international speakers: Christine Bustamante - KPMG; Scot Butcher – Duff and Phelps; Michael Cutri, Director – Cushman & Wakefield Western, Inc.; Mark James – ED Solutions Inc.; Jonathan Sangster – CBRE Consulting; Katerina Sokolova – OCO Global; Rebecca Truelove – Ernst & Young, LLP; and Steve Weitzner – Silverlode Consulting Corp.  The speakers addressed economic development and business expansion trends, plus the challenges resulting from the global economic downturn; and the opportunities offered by the pending turnaround.  Participating in the conference were business executives, site selection professionals and a limited number economic development officials.  Attending the conferences allowed the four East Central Indiana representatives to meet one-on-one with site selectors, program presenters and business decision-makers contemplating expansion, relocation, consolidation and new-investment plans in 2010 and 2011.  

According to Roy Budd, “The Vail “Roundtable in the Rockies” allowed us to continue  building relationships with site selection decision-makers and corporate executives, learning more about upcoming their expansion needs and how they are being delayed by uncertain economic conditions, and to present the many important advantages East Central Indiana offers to businesses interested in expanding, consolidating or relocating.  During the one-on-one opportunities, dinners and free-time members of the Energize-ECI delegation were able to learn firsthand of company needs, so we can better address the opportunities and benefits of them locating to East Central Indiana.  It is through cultivating these relationships that we may have the opportunity to turn an idea or a contact into the reality of a new or increased investment in the region.  Our goal is to diversify the economic base of the region, bringing in businesses with higher paying jobs and to support the growth of businesses currently located here.”

Energize-ECI, Inc. is a public/private partnership providing innovative, pro-active services and programs to encourage new business investment in East Central Indiana.  Energize-ECI, Inc. acts as an initial 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, directing leads to the appropriate local economic development groups.  Energize-ECI, Inc. provides support to: Blackford, Delaware, Fayette, Grant, Henry, Jay, Madison, Randolph and Rush 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, which provides links to websites for each county economic development group.  The regional 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, Inc. informative newsletters and regional business news updates may be read or downloaded by going to the website. 

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Prepared by Tom Farris
P.O. Box 1912 / Muncie, IN 47308-1912
Phone: 765.254.0116 / Fax: 765.254.1450
Email: tfarris@energize-eci.org