Isaac Lee, from the Steuben County Economic Development Corp., speaks about new priorities and how the landscape of America’s economy has changed post-pandemic. Staff photo by Ben Wengerd
ROME CITY — Post-pandemic adjustments, digitalization of the local economy and the economical importance of fostering community wellbeing/quality of life were at the forefront of conversation at the 2023 Five-County Economic Development Forum.
Wednesday’s forum was a collaborative effort between the economic development departments of LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, Whitley and DeKalb counties and was hosted by Sylvan Cellars in Rome City.
The meeting would be a blend of a report on the current economic landscape, and a convention to help individuals in the economic development sphere to better understand how they can improve the processes and foundations they’ve already constructed.
Primarily, the convention centered on the post-pandemic economy, the lasting impact that the COVID-19 quarantine had on the economy and how to adjust.
Isaac Lee, director of the Steuben County Economic Development Corp., was the first of several speakers. His segment would set an outline for what was to come later in the meeting
He would go on to discuss different topics that the pandemic highlighted.
“Self-sufficiency is something that is extremely important post-COVID,” said Lee. “It helps us weather the storms or future storms that may exist.”
Lee went on to say, “That aspect of housing development as it pertains to economic development was not a big conversation [pre-COVID]... But nurturing our homegrown industries, reinvigorating the local businesses and entrepreneurship have become a focus.”
In addition, Lee would discuss the introduction of artificial intelligence and digitizing of the workplace.
According to Lee, the pandemic rapidly sped up the rate at which our society became digital. Quarantine forced the majority of the public to rely on technology to stay connected with friends, family and coworkers and showed that digital workplaces can function effectively.
“Our industries are looking at doing things in a more automated process,” reported Lee. “[Industry 4.0] is changing fast. The ability to add AI capability and automation, not to replace jobs but to assist jobs, is something that rural communities have and will continue to embrace; and must embrace.”
He would reiterate his belief that automation and artificial intelligence will not be replacing jobs, but will instead create more.
Lee illustrated, from his point-of-view, that digitization of the workplace and increasing inclusivity go hand-in-hand stating that the ability to transform public centers into connection hotspots can go a long way in helping a community pursue education.
Inclusivity was an idea that was hit on by Edmond O’Neal and Kim Tempel of Northeast Indiana Work, a nonprofit workforce development organization based out of Fort Wayne.
“Diversity represents diversity of thoughts and knowledge, which is great for business,” said O’Neal.
Allie Daugherty, from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, built off Lee’s initial presentation.
She too would highlight changes in a post-pandemic world, specifically hitting on the changes in community mindset.
“They [the public] are seeing and holding value on time, time is viewed differently [post-pandemic],” said Daugherty.
“We’re saying ‘how am I spending my time and how is that impacting the big picture for me? Am I spending a ton of time in the car commuting back and forth from work? Can I work from home? Am I able to go do the things that I need to do?’ Those priorities from how they’re spending their time may have led to establishing brand new boundaries for themselves as an individual,” Daugherty explained.
That shift in perspective has impacted how employers in the region must go about attracting new, and young, talent to the area.
The primary focus to bring and retain talent? Daugherty posits it’s community engagement.
“People aren’t following jobs anymore,” said Daugherty. The line-of-thought she echoed, initially stated by Lee, posits that most prospective employees are looking for a community they’d like to live in first before finding a job in the community.
“It used to be that individuals would get a job, then move to that community and begin building their network,” said Lee. “Now, people are seeking jobs within communities that they have already decided they want to move to.”
The idea summarized by both speakers was that, in order to stimulate economic growth, you must stimulate community growth.
Daugherty would report that at OCRA, they have seen more significant increases in productivity based on increases in quality of life and not the measurable amount of job openings in the community.
Community attracts talent, talent drives business and business helps stimulate community.
Daugherty would cite several examples of this community-oriented revitalization including an amphitheater recently constructed in DeKalb County, a splash pad in LaGrange County, Noble County’s Preserve Main Street program, alleyway activation in Whitley County and activation of public lake spaces to take advantage of established amenities in Steuben County.
She would go on to disclose information that was discussed in a conference back in 2019, amongst OCRA.
Daugherty said, “The way in which cities have been developed over the last 50 years has left a growing number of citizens isolated and unable to engage in the world around them. We must acknowledge the connection between place and quality of life.”
“Young talent wants a community they can thrive in and they can be proud of,” continued Daugherty. “They don’t live just anywhere, they’re going to choose quality.”
This sentiment was echoed in a Q+A segment with O’Neal and Tempel.
O’Neal would elaborate on the importance of getting younger generations involved. Getting the youth hands-on is a great way to help them build experience, according to O’Neal.
All parties agreed, once steps are taken towards modernizing local economies and communities that the outcomes should be compounding.
Modernization is something that, as reported by the speakers, is unavoidable; but if implemented correctly, northeast Indiana should expect to see large strides in economic development.
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