Muncie, IN – E. Roy Budd, Executive Director of Energize-ECI, Inc., announced the regional economic development partnership, along with area economic development officials, planned and participated in a sales trip to Chicago – June 9-10. Local area economic development leaders from the Energize-ECI, Inc. region participating in the trip included: Rob Cleveland - Executive Director of the Blackford County Economic Development Corporation; Tim Eckerle - Executive Director, Grant County Economic Growth Council; Bill Bradley - Executive Director, Jay County Development Corporation; Terry Murphy – Vice President, Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance; Traci Lutton – Economic Development Project Manager, Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance; Bryan Coats – Executive Director, Economic Development Group – Connersville; and E. Roy Budd, of Energize-ECI, Inc.

According to Mr. Budd, “The purpose of our Chicago trip was to familiarize some of the leading site selection professionals based in Chicago about the many business advantages of expansion and relocation opportunities in East Central Indiana. It follows our successful Energize-ECI sales trip to Chicago last year. We had appointments with members of seven leading site selection consulting firms, businesses who direct new location selection for corporations. We find it effective to meet in person with the site selectors to point out the specific competitive advantages of our region as they relate to the company’s specific projects and answer questions. Having economic development representatives participating from five of our nine counties impressed the consultants. . Our team learned much about what selection criteria businesses are currently considering when reviewing site candidates as businesses contemplate consolidation and expansion plans as the economic environment begins to improve for some industry sectors.”

Quotes from Participants of Energize-ECI, Inc. Member Counties

Rob Cleveland, Executive Director of the Blackford County Economic Development Corporation, stated, “The trip to Chicago was one of the most productive trips we have taken recently. In a 24-hour period, we met with more than 10 site selectors who are responsible for locating large companies. We met with individuals who currently have projects in “green” manufacturing, food processing, and agriculture, to name a few. We were able to expose the site selectors to the numerous benefits of locating in Blackford County and the East Central Indiana region – and the time spent in front of these decision makers was invaluable.”

Terry Murphy, CEcD, Vice President of the Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance, advised, “The regional marketing trip was an extremely cost-effective way to travel and meet with some of the top site consultants in the country. We had an opportunity to showcase our region and counties to seven different site selection firms.”

Tim Eckerle, Executive Director of the Grant County Economic Growth Council, added, “It was a great opportunity to have face to face meetings with a number of leaders of the Midwest site selection community.”

Bryan Coats, Executive Director of the Economic Development Group – Connersville, commented, “ Going to visit site consultants as a group really makes a impression on them and they do remember us. I always try to tell them three things about our community that set us apart for other communities. For Fayette County that is: (1) We are located right in the center between Indianapolis, Dayton and Cincinnati; (2) Water is plentiful due to the large aquifer we sit on in our area; and (3) that our airport has a 6,500’ runway located next to our industrial park. One site consultant said, “Communities that do take the time to visit do get preferential treatment.” These trips are to build strong relationships with consultants that assist companies with relocation, consolidation and expansion recommendations.”

Traci Lutton, Economic Development Project Manager for the Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance, advised, “The consensus among consultants was that the pipeline of development projects is filling. The relationships we have formed during the down economy will pay off now that the economic development projects are on the rise.”

Bill Bradley, Executive Director of the Jay County Development Corporation, added, “Collaboration on trips like our Chicago sales mission provides our 9-county region and its communities with important advantages in competing for new business investments and new jobs. These relationships will prove beneficial as the economy turns around and companies gain the confidence to invest in expansion.

About Energize-ECI, Inc.

Energize-ECI, Inc. is a public/private partnership providing pro-active services and programs to encourage new business investment and bring new jobs to East Central Indiana. Energize-ECI, Inc. acts as the primary 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 and Rush 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.

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 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.

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Contacts
Tom Farris - 765-254-0116
tfarris@energize-eci.org

Roy Budd - 765-254-1420
rbudd@energize-eci.org

Prepared by Tom Farris / T.L. Farris & Associates
P.O. Box 2542 / Muncie, IN 47307-0542
Phone: 765.284.5313 / Fax: 765.284.5314
Email: thomaslfarris@comcast.net

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