I&M Awards Grants for Community Growth
(photo courtesy of Indiana Michigan Power)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowFort Wayne-based Indiana Michigan Power awarded more than $187,000 in Economic Impact Grants in 2019 to assist in the growth and development of Hoosier communities it serves.
I&M is a subsidiary of American Electric Power Co. (NYSE: AEP), which is based in Ohio.
The utility says the grant program intends to attract businesses, grow local economies and create jobs.
“These grants are wide-ranging, but they all have the common goal of supporting local initiatives to make our communities even stronger,” said Toby Thomas, I&M president and chief operating officer.
A total of ten grants went to communities and economic development organizations in the three areas of Indiana that I&M serves: Northeast Indiana, Michiana and East Central Indiana. This is the second year I&M has awarded this grant initiative.
- City of Fort Wayne: The grant supports the Build Institute, a 9-week basic business education program for entrepreneurs to hone strengths and learn how to successfully start their businesses.
- Greater Fort Wayne Inc.: The grant supports the new “Made By Me” program, which showcases career opportunities in the skilled trades in which there is growing demand in northeast Indiana.
- I&M also contributed to Greater Fort Wayne Inc.’s initiative for the Fort Wayne-Allen County Five-Year Economic Development Strategy by supporting a survey of businesses seeking input on the business community’s priorities.
- Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership: The grant goes to an Ohio research firm which will analyze ways to improve food and agriculture processing industries in northeast Indiana, serving as a key part of the economy.
- Town of Hamilton and Steuben County: The money will help to examine affordable, quality housing for a growing workforce. It’ll identify land ripe for residential development.
- South Bend-Elkhart Regional Partnership: Two grants were awarded to the nonprofit to help is promote industry growth and talent attraction.
- LaPorte County: I & M is providing a grant to help the county develop an action plan for community growth.
- City of Marion: The money is to help the city support a downtown redevelopment planning study.
- Jay, Randolph and Wayne counties: The grant will help support the Jay County Development Corp. in offering Hoosier Opportunity, a web site that helps area businesses find talented employees.