A regional development organization took the message of the opportunities in southwest Indiana to a group of industrial site selectors. Jeff Quyle with Radius Indiana, along with Shance Sizemore of the Lawrence County Economic Growth Council, met with site selectors in Cincinnati to discuss the advantages of doing doing business in southwestern Indiana. The visit was the first of several Radius has planned for this year. Radius represents Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Orange and Washington Counties.
"We want to create as many connections as possible with those on the front lines looking for sites," said President and COO for Radius Indiana Quyle. "Building strong relationships can lead to business growth in the Radius region."
The regional approach toward those companies that scout new locations for businesses is an approach that has been developing over the past few years. "Anything that Radius can do to draw site selectors to the area, we wish them the best," said Ron Arnold, executive director for the Daviess County Economic Development Corp. "We see that as very positive. We have worked with them in the past in the tech park, and rely on them to help market Daviess County."
During the Cincinnati trip Radius shared details with the site selectors on sites available in the region and incentives available in a variety of Industry sectors. The site selectors also learned about how the I-69 corridor is transforming the region.
"Part of community development is reaching outside our geographic area to share opportunities," said Sizemore. "Meeting with site selectors helps us expand our network, but also gives us firsthand knowledge of what businesses are looking for in location."
Washington Mayor Joe Wellman who also sits on the Radius Board points out that communities still have to be ready to share their own message to developers.
"You have to do some of both (regional and individual recruiting)," said Wellman. "A lot of times the prospects don't know anything about our area. They don't know or care about the county lines between Martin and Daviess County. Once they get interested in the region, then we can try and sell them on the assets of our community."
Daviess County officials say they believe that the area developing on the east side of Washington with the rail siding, cross dock facility and new building may well be the kind of thing that gathers particular interest from development.
"We know there are a lot of companies that won't even look if you don't have a building available," said Arnold. "We have that now and it has access to rail and easy interstate access."
Radius officials have more to tout than just I-69. They are also talking about opportunities that may result from the $42 million Southwest Central Indiana Initiative, the assets and skill sets available at Naval Support Activity Crane, and how the region is a cluster for food processing.
"They are open to ideas to promote the region," said Arnold. "It has to be about building out the region. All you have to do is to look at the commuting patterns. Projects in Daviess County help people in other counties and people in Daviess County get jobs from development in neighboring counties. Radius helps tie a lot of that together and we are pleased with what they are doing."