Economic development has many facets, so an integrated approach is necessary, one that includes community, workforce and business development. Consequently, GCEDC is also engaged in activities that are not directly involved in attracting or developing businesses (that create jobs.) These alternate activities, however, do impact the business climate and job creation.

It is necessary for any economic development organization (EDO) to be both visionary, seeing where our community needs to get to, and also a catalyst, initiating appropriate action that will enable us to get there. As such, the EDO action plan reflects the initiatives the community has chosen and wants to address. Each initiative addresses an issue that was previously identified, either to support an asset or positive trend, or to intervene so as to avert a potentially negative situation.

Currently, the projects and initiatives we're involved in include:

HomeTown Competitiveness (HTC) with its four pillars of Leadership, Youth, Philanthropy and Entrepreneurship. Each of these pillars interacts with and supports the others, with the overall goals of community development and economic prosperity. The Entrepreneurship pillar involves a business development activity and, so, GCEDC assumed direct responsibility for it. Other agencies, whose ongoing mission encompassed some aspect of one of the other pillars, assumed responsibility respectively (Leadership - Community Learning Center's Citizen Academy; Youth -- Purdue Agriculture Extension/4-H; Philanthropy -- Greene County Foundation.)

Entrepreneurship: We have two task forces to address training and funding. The training group has explored and identified: a) ways to increase the interaction between business and education and heighten the students' awareness of the feasibility of starting your own local business; b) methods of supporting business start-ups and small business expansions through providing training opportunities and ready access to helpful resources. The funding group has identified some potential existing fund sources for entrepreneurs and, also, is currently preparing an application for federal funds with which to create a revolving loan fund. This is an additional funding resource to which a potential or existing business owner can apply for a loan, even if they've been denied by a standard financial institution.

Strategic Action Network: The HTC team is developing an online framework that will allow the various agencies and project work groups throughout the county to collaborate more easily and work more harmoniously and productively with one another.

Greene County Chamber Coalition: Collaborates to identify and resolve issues shared by their respective communities.

Tourism Industry Development: Three separate work groups have been formed and created short-term action plans. The Marketing group is exploring how to make the Web site more appealing and getting state approval on the brochure, which will enable distribution at external sites. The Destination group is assessing the condition of the temporary wayfarer signage that was placed around the county last year and identifying potential sources of funding for permanent signage. The Product Development group is focused on increasing exposure of local artisans and identifying our tourism 'niche.'

WestGate@Crane Technology Park: The WestGate Authority continues to explore all potential funding mechanisms and is currently working with Southern Indiana Development Corporation to prepare an application for federal funds for infrastructure and site development. Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC has agreed to provide the labor for the power lines within the park to be buried. Inter-local agreements between the three counties' emergency response agencies have been drafted.

I-69: GCEDC has completed the coordination of the plan development steering committee. Greene County Commissioners will appoint the Advisory Plan Commission to review the plan.

Industry Forum: GCEDC coordinates this networking opportunity for industry leaders. By request, this activity has been elevated from a quarterly event to a monthly one. The forum is designed primarily to help increase local business-to-business interaction and each meeting also provides a training opportunity and plant tour of the host facility.

Regional Economic Development: GCEDC is actively engaged in addressing rural regional issues, together with seven other counties in South Central Indiana -- Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Lawrence, Martin, Orange and Washington Counties. This group is working closely with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, the Office of Community and Rural Affairs and the Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center.

Also, we may have to drop everything to respond to a company looking to relocate. Their request typically includes detailed information on available buildings and sites that meet their specified requirements, an economic profile, industry-specific workforce info, and utilities for each site plus, potentially, a whole realm of additional information. Submitting a timely and thorough response is crucial in order to stay in the competition.

Another activity that is sporadic but ongoing is the counseling GCEDC provides to local businesses and potential start-ups. Appointments are made upon request. Call-ins and drop-ins are handled on a time-permitting basis.

Joan is the executive director at Greene County Economic Development Corporation and can be reached at (812) 847-4500 or jbethell@gcedc.us .