Marion is one of 10 cities selected to participate in the Launch Indiana Community Entrepreneurial Mapping Project in conjunction with Ball State University’s Building Better Communities program.
Launch Indiana partnered with five cities during the 2015-2016 and added five cities for the 2016-2017 year. Within those communities, Launch Indiana will identify assets and liabilities for entrepreneurs.
“Cities were chosen for this program based on their current level of community entrepreneurial involvement,” Jason Whitney said according to a statement released by The Refinery, which will host the program, and the City of Marion.
Whitney, Launch Indiana’s program manager, said the support of the city’s elected officials and available resources were also considered in making the selections.
“The Refinery is gaining momentum every month, and our selection committee really wanted to partner with them to add some value to the work they have been doing,” Whitney said.
The Refinery offers a co-working and office space for entrepreneurs, non-profits and small businesses as well as students and independent professionals.
Alexis Dierker, The Refinery’s director of community relations, said they are looking for a wide-range of community leaders to interview over a two day period at the end of May or beginning of June.
“We believe that (resources) exist in a lot of different places, businesses and people,” she said.
Launch Indiana will compile information received from the interviews and add the identified assets to the Community Entrepreneurial Map located on its website. The map represents what the organization calls the Indiana Entrepreneurial Ecosystem.
The mapping project will be a partnership with the Grant County Economic Growth Council, City of Marion and the Grant County Community Foundation.
Mayor Jess Alumbaugh said he’s supportive of The Refinery’s efforts to educate and attract potential entrepreneurs. He said The Refinery’s program creates ownership within the community and helps encourage college students to stay in the community after graduation.
“We have to spawn business internally,” he said. “The Refinery is a think tank for people … each generation has a different vision (for the community).”
Dierker said that long term, The Refinery hopes the Launch Indiana program builds connections and maximizes potential for business growth within the community. She said the short term goal is to open and encourage communication among the community’s leaders.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing how this is put into statistics,” she said.
Dierker said Launch Indiana will help The Refinery share the results of the project with the community.
“I really believe that this community had a lot of fantastic people and resources,” she said. “Launch Indiana is an excellent avenue for communicating those to grow and develop the community.”