Press release from the Northeast Indiana Fund:
Over $25,000 awarded in economic development grants
Northeast Indiana organizations receive funding for capacity building activities
(December 3, 2010) – The Northeast Indiana Fund (NIF) has awarded grants to four Local Economic Development Organizations (LEDOs) working to build capacity for economic development in the ten-county region of Northeast Indiana. The 501(c)3 support organization to the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership (NEIRP) awards matching grant dollars to LEDOs to assist in projects that will help to make the area better able to compete for business investment and quality jobs.
On Nov. 22, 2010, NIF board members approved four separate grants, allowing LEDOs and area programs to create their own success and help to more competitively market Northeast Indiana. The projects, ranging from informational pieces to environmental improvements, create a stronger region and a better product for the NEIRP to sell in national and international marketing activities.
- Adams County Economic Development Corporation (ACEDC) received approval for $7,000 to match $18,000 pledged by the City of Decatur, I&M and NIPSCO to assist in completing a Phase II environmental assessment for the Decatur Casting Brownfield site. Upon completion of the assessment, the State of Indiana will be able to release the site for new development. The development will generate new property and income tax revenue and reach a goal Adams County and the City of Decatur have worked toward for three and a half years.
- The Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance (The Alliance) received approval for $9,443 in funding. With equal matching dollars pledged by The Alliance, the grant will be put toward the production of the annual, award-winning Business Information Guide and a printed piece to highlight resources available in Allen County for business retention and expansion.
- The Economic Development Group of Wabash County, Inc. (EDGWC) received approval for $5,820 to support the upgrade of its economic development website. The upgrade will help to meet the demands of site selectors, prospects, existing companies and allow for access to information by the general public. EDGWC has pledged matching dollars toward the project.
- The Huntington County United Economic Development Corporation (HCUED) received approval for a matching grant of $3,000 to cover general expenditures related to capacity building activities at HCUED.
About the Northeast Indiana Fund: The Northeast Indiana Fund’s mission is to support the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership and its ten member counties through the funding and coordination of charitable activities which directly contribute to increasing the region’s capacity to support new business investment and the creation of high quality jobs for the region. The Northeast Indiana Fund has received support from the Harold P. Arnold Foundation, the Olive B. Cole Foundation, the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne, the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne/SDI Fund, The Dekko Foundation, the English Bonter Mitchell Foundation, the Foellinger Foundation, the Robert Goldstine Foundation, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Indiana Michigan Power, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Lincoln Financial Foundation, the NiSource Foundation, NIPSCO, the Regional Chamber of Northeast Indiana, the Steel Dynamics Foundation and the Verizon Foundation.