Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana - 2014 Annual Report

One Region - One Voice

SOUTHWEST INDIANA

ANNUAL REPORT 2014

southwestindiana.org

Annual Report 2014 | 2

TABLEof contents

Message from the CEO

About the Coalition

Marketing

A Case Study

Project Activity

Community Development

Operations

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04

06

08

10

12

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“Southwest Indiana is focused on

attracting those businesses to the

region that will produce transformational assets .”

STATEMENTfrom the presidentThe momentum that has been generated over the past few years in Southwest

Indiana must continue to pursue sustainable and responsible economic

development projects that will strengthen the region and the State of Indiana.

The region has been blessed with several transformational projects in the last 12-18 months that will change the landscape of our lives here in Southwest Indiana.

From the new Indiana University School of Medicine, Midwest Fer-tilizer, the Warrick Wellness Trail to Toyota’s continued investment, Southwest Indiana is no longer a second thought. We are a region on the move to more progressive

changes and with your help as partners and stakeholders, the opportunities keep getting better. Our future generations will be glad that we were diligent to create such a special place.

Your investment in the Coalition is a commitment to the region. New investment, jobs and the grant funding assist our communities and residents to create a higher quality of place so that a high quality of life might be attained.

Thank you for your commitment and your valuable input as we forge ahead into 2015 with One Region and One Voice.

Greg Wathen, APRPresident & CEO

Southwest Indiana needs to focus on several fundamental

issues...before it can realize its fullest potential as a

dynamic, regional economic center.


Who we are The Economic Devel-opment Coalition of Southwest Indiana acts as the marketing arm as well as the regional economic develop-ment and community development organization for Gibson, Posey, Vanderburgh, and Warrick Coun-ties in Southwest Indiana. The Co-alition works with its local county economic development organiza-tion partners to facilitate attraction and business retention activities

along with supporting efforts to enhance the business climate through regional capacity build-ing. Since its formation in late 2006, the Coalition has helped to secure over nearly $3 billion in new investment and 3,568 new jobs from existing and new com-panies such as Haier America, Berry Plastics, Mead Johnson, Toyota Boshoku, Midwest Fertil-izer Corporation and AT&T.

Another important aspect of the Coalition’s multi-faceted job de-

What we envisonIn 2011, the Coalition embarked on a regional plan that would be the impetus for transfor-mational sustainable redevelop-ment for the Southwest Indiana region. Garner Economics with Newmark Grubb Knight Frank were retained through funding from a grant by the Economic Develop-ment Administration (EDA). The plan known as the Blueprint for Success: A Master Plan for Econom-ic Redevelopment or The Garner

Report has helped focus the Coali-tion to major initiatives along with providing a road map for other or-ganizations to unite in helping the region to move forward. Over 30 initiatives were documented in the report that would propel the region forward to compete a thriving re-gion attracting business and talent.

scription is helping the communi-ties it serves build new capacity for future development in its role as a regional planning organization. The Coalition has helped secure more than $73 million in grants for key quality of place infrastructure such as expansion of water and sewer systems; building new community centers; and, making improvements to the region’s levee system, which protects thousands of acres along America’s inland waterways.

ABOUT THE COALITION

Visit our websitesouthwestindiana.org

Implementation of these initiatives is a long and costly process, but as each becomes reality, i.e. airport jetways, community pride, internet access or growing talent, the Coal-tion and our partners are planting a rich future for the next generation.

“Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” --George Bernard Shaw


BRANDING regional recognition

Promoting the brand of Southwest Indiana globally is the number one priority of Coalition work. Through multiple marketing efforts, we’ve seen a consistent rise in direct inquires for regional informa-tion from companies.

15K

2,714

28%Website visitors in 2014

with a new site launch in

December 2014.

Media outlets that picked

up SW Indiana releases.

Increase in social media

outlets including Twitter,

LinkedIN and Google+.

NEW IDEAS Being open to innovation and

new technologies is essential in attracting technical talent and

entrepreneurs.

MARKETINGAll marketing efforts focus on the promotion of local compa-nies, regional assets and talent.

PARTNERSLEDO, Chamber and CVB partners keep Southwest Indiana moving forward.

THE WORKQuick and confidential reports

for companies looking to relocate.

Careful attention is paidto the ways and methods the Coali-tion markets the region. Economic development is a relationship busi-ness and a delicate balance must be

achieved in providing timely and relevant information. As time and budget allow, we purpose to strike a clever balance. From award win-ning ads, postcards and broadcast-

quality commercials, Southwest In-diana is beginning to make a name for itself through the connections we make and the companies that make us vibrant and successful.

Haier America rendering of future Evansville site.

Haier employs more than 70,000 people around the world and dis-tributes products in more than 100 countries and regions with global revenues reaching $29.5 billion in 2013.


“Progress lies not in enhancing what is, but in advancing toward what will be.” Khalil Gibran

Talent is the key driver of today’s economy; though we always recognized our region’s level of skill, having the world’s largest appliance manufacturer validate it confirms our belief.

50 JobsHaier will create 50 positions for individuals with skills in science,

technology, engineering and math (STEM ).

HAIER AMERICAa case study

Haier America announced in Sep-tember of 2014 that it would open its first North American Research & Development facility to enter into the U.S. market.

The landing of the world’s largest manufacturer of appliances was not a simple decision of business costs, adequate workforce and govern-mental incentives, but a culmina-tion of best laid plans years prior.

With Whirlpool’s exit from the mar-ket, a pool of about 300 people who worked in the product design center would be phased out in the

two years that followed. Upon the completion of the phase out know-ing the talent pool that would be left behind, several former employ-ees were encouraged by the Coali-tion to form a small company that would be able to fill a need in the marketplace. Envolve Engineering garnered 10 of the best and bright-and hung opened for business in a matter of weeks.

“Our Design Engineering Company became a reality with the help of Evansville’s various business sup-port groups,” stated Pat Boarman, Envolve’s Technical Leader.

Haier later became a client of Envolve and through the mutual re-lationships a new $5M investment was made into the region, along with 50 high-tech jobs as well as a most advantageous connection. Initially, the Tech Center will focus on commercialization of Haier prod-ucts for the U.S. Market, followed by new product development. Suc-cess of the new Tech Center and the company’s U.S. strategy would set the stage for additional growth, as Haier could add more jobs based on an annual increase in sales.

The world’s number one appliance manufacturer chooses Southwest Indiana

based on quality of technical talent


Inquiries about Southwest Indiana come in many forms: from web site inquiries, phone

calls to formal RFI’s from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.

The Coalition has seen a 25% increase in direct inquiries from site selectors and/or companies. 25%

increase in direct inquiries.

45projects were worked on for

2014, similar to 2013.

PROJECTSThe Coalition is a trusted regional partner delivering profes-sional, confidential information for those start-up projects or companies looking to relocate or expand.

Build a building or buy an existing one?

Projects in 2014 requested an existing building. Stock is sometimes not readily available.

Projects in 2014 requested a site only.

Projects in 2014 were flexible in requesting a site and/or an existing building.

Advanced Manufacturing’s Comeback

Now more than ever, Southwest Indiana’s long track record of being a manufacturing giant keeps it a strong contender for advanced manufacturing projects. The location, efficient modes of transportation and the re-gion’s reliable and technical workforce have attracted and won global projects such as Haier America and Mid-west Fertilizer. Technical innovation through our collaborative approaches with business and local colleges and universities have helped advance the skills of future STEM workers. *All projects do not provide industry or sector information in RFI process.

57%

27%

16%

Automotive Food Processing Metals

29% 14%31%

Jeff Jobe, Mead Johnson V.P. announc-ing a $35 million expanision in Oct. 2014.

Advanced Manufacturing Projects by Industry *

Oakland City Old New Lake Dam received a $1.85 million CDBG grant.


COMMUNITYdevelopmentThe Coalition’s community development division works daily with communities

and elected officials on projects that will add value to Southwest Indiana.

$7.6M2014 Grant funding

awarded in 2014.

87.5%Average percentage of project costs paid

by grant funding.

+$73MAmount of grant

funding awarded to date.

The Blight Elimination Program is currently helping Southwest Indiana communities

remarket over 275 properties.

Oakland City Old New Lake Dam received a $1.85 million CDBG grant.

We know our stuff. Lead by Debbie Bennett-Stears-man, the community development staff is well versed in continuing education. Each person on our community development team is a certified grant manager with Ben-nett-Stearsman holding the desig-nation of Master Certified Grant Ad-ministrator, only six in the state of Indiana. Recertification classes are held every year; and, grant work-shops are held on every new state and federal grant program that must be attended.

We tackle the hard projects.

The Coalition is currently partici-pating in the newly funded Blight Elimination Program from the State of Indiana.

To date over $5.8 million has been awarded to Southwest Indiana communities by the Indiana Hous-ing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) for the demoli-tion of over 200 homes that have fallen to ill-repair. After demolition the properties can be redeveloped and put back on the tax rolls for the communities. More funding is ex-pected in 2015 as additional rounds have been announced.

EPA Regional Brownfields Assessment Grant

With the help of the EPA, some for-gotten properties in Southwest Indiana are receiving a second chance of becoming beautiful and prosperous again.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded the Economic Development Co-alition of Southwest Indiana a $580,000 Brownfields Assessment Grant. The funds will provide help communities to assess contamina-tion areas in designated brown-fields for future clean up and revi-talization. The grant will create an inventory of Brownfield sites in the region, assess a portion of the sites and will provide funds for mitiga-tion and remediation of selected sites.

The program will help communities revitalize properties for the purpos-es of creating a better environment and improve the local economy by placing properties back on the tax rolls. Funds from the Brownfields Assessment Grant are divided into two program categories: $400,000 for hazardous substance and $180,000 for petroleum clean up.

Impeccable Reputation

The Coalition has always

provided the best level of

service to our county through

its Community Development

Division. The return on the

investment is always

outstanding.

- Stephen Bottoms/Gibson

County Commissioners

With the help we received

from the Coalition getting

grant funding, an ugly aban-

doned silo was torn down

and birthed a vision for our

now beautiful riverfront.

- Mayor John Tucker

City of Mount Vernon

+90%Majority of the 2014 projects were funded 90% or better by grant awards.

2014 Site Selectors dinner following Pro-Am Fam tour during the United

Leasing Championship web.com tour. PHOTO: Chris Berniking Photog-

raphy.


A major part of the Coalition’s budget is for establishing and cultivating relationships that might be advantage-ious for Southwest Indiana. For the past three years, the Coalition has been a major sponsor of the United Leas-ing Championship web.com tour which is part of the PGA Tour. The tournament features up and coming tal-ent and even has hosted greats such as John Daly. Many of our guests have also been excited to play the course at Victoria National Golf Course, rated one of the top US courses.

During the tournment, the Coalition hosts a team of site selectors (from different companies) to the region as its guests to play golf and let them get to know Southwest Indiana. Not all are acquainted with Southwest Indiana before they arrive, but through meeting our economic development professionals, business leaders, academia and elected officials, they leave well informed and with a great picture of the bright future of the region.

Along with the rock star treatment from The Tropicana Pro-Am, the Coalition also has the opportunity to show-case assets that make Southwest Indiana unique.

Berry Plastics, a global leader in the plastics industry played host for a company tour showcasing its world-class product design center, Blue Clover Studios. The team was impressed with the design studio as well as

DETAILED RESULTS of operation The Coalition has a reputation of excellence with site location con-

sultants and the relationships that have been forged are proof.

the collaboration between product design, engineering and production. A client can have a a mock up of its design with-in 48 hours with Berry Plastics.

A tour of University of Southern Indiana’s (USI) Applied Engineering Center is next on the list with the $3.3 million facility and equally impressive manufacturing equipment where students and area businesses alike can refine pro-cesses for product manufacturing while training tomorrow’s workforce for the high-tech skills they will need to be job ready.

“

”

• Site Selectors Guild, Denver, CO

• IEDA Site Selection Event

• Economic Development Leadership Conference

• United Leasing Championship web.com tour

• EVV to CLT trip to Charlotte, NC celebrating new

USAir service.

• Consultant Connect Site Selection Conferences

• Dallas, TX Site Selection Mission

Coalition sponsored events

Utilization of Sales Budget

$250K

$68

$32

$31

$28

$80

Conferences & Seminars Special Events Web site Advertising Travel Marketing

I had an incredible experience in Southwest Indiana while attending the Tropicana Evans-

ville Pro-Am. I was very impressed with the collaboration and leadership exhibited in the

community. I look forward to working with Southwest Indiana and the Coalition in the

future. Thank you for such a memorable experience.

-Will Cowsert, Consulting Analyst

Cushman and Wakefield

$7


SOUTHWEST INDIANA

318 Main Street, Ste 400Evansville, IN 47708

Phone: (812) 423-2020 Fax: (812) 423-2080

Email: [email protected]: southwestindiana.org

Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana - 2014 Annual Report

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