In late 2018, the South Central Indiana Economic Development Region joined with Radius Indiana to share insights about their respective southern Indiana regions as co-hosts of an informational session for about 10 site selectors and business advisers in downtown Louisville.

The event is one of many joint marketing outreach efforts by the two organizations, representing a total of 17 southern Indiana counties.

The session was another event in South Central Indiana’s outreach program to raise awareness about the business strengths and opportunities in Southern Indiana. The leaders from South Central Indiana and Radius introduced the regions to their Kentucky neighbors, showcasing the benefits of doing business in the regions, as well as the available sites, demographics and the quality of the workforce that powers existing businesses. They also shared locally produced gifts with their guests.

Wendy Dant Chesser, the President and CEO of One Southern Indiana kicked off the session and shared passionate examples of how important working together regionally can be when promoting our communities.  She offered specific examples of regional success stories in Indiana and in other states. She welcomed all of the real estate professionals to explore Southern Indiana with Radius and South Central Indiana local economic development team members.

Representatives from 14 of the regions’ Local Economic Development Organizations joined South Central IN President Darrell Voelker and Radius President Jeff Quyle for the event. Utility partners to both regional groups, Duke Energy, Hoosier Energy and IMPA, served as sponsors to support the event.

“Our regions have now worked together on many marketing events” said Voelker. “We know that when a new business locates in either of our areas it will have a positive impact on the neighboring counties. South Central Indiana shares the resources, workforce and infrastructure with many of the Radius communities and any opportunity we have to work together only strengthens our ability to attract and grow business.”

Quyle also commented on the effectiveness of convening as a region, “Bringing together multiple site selectors and counties in one room allows us to make many contacts in a very short amount of time. It is an efficient use of our time and resources and places our Region in the minds of the site selectors.” “We are continually looking for opportunities to share our region with business leaders who help national and global companies make decisions about where to locate or expand their businesses,” said Voelker. Quyle added, “It is in the true spirit of regionalism that these two organizations came together for this event. We have diverse assets, but a common mission—to grow the economy in southern Indiana”.

The Louisville event is one project in a series of marketing activities for South Central Indiana. The outreach efforts have connected South Central Indiana communities with business advisers, real estate brokers, and site consultants in Indianapolis, Miami, Detroit, New York, and Chicago.  South Central Indiana representatives also attended international trade shows in Hannover and Berlin, Germany as well as a Trade Show Event in Washington D.C. with more than 1,000 company officials from international firms and organizations.