Boone County EDC names new vice president
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Boone County welcomed a new economic development executive with Jessica Schwarz stepping into the role of vice president with the Boone County Economic Development Corp.
Schwarz grew up in Greenwood and watched as her parents transitioned from farming to started a realty inspection business. In fact, working for her family’s business as a teenager was her first job and now Schwarz wants to take that knowledge of what small businesses need and apply it in Boone County.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our community,” Schwarz said. “They have very specific needs and they really care what’s going on locally and in the community.”
Focusing on small business will be just one of Schwarz’s responsibilities in her new role. She will also focus on attracting and retaining companies and workforce development.
Before coming to Boone County, Schwarz worked in economic development in Morgan County and before that, she spent a year in Ukraine with the Peace Corps until the COVD-19 pandemic cut that service short.
“I thought if I can do this while learning a new language in eight months five thousand miles away, I can sure as heck do this in the county next to where I grew up,” Schwarz said.
Boone County is one of the fastest growing in the state and with that comes a balance of how to build enough housing in areas like Zionsville while maintaining the character of more rural areas.
“There is a place for everyone in this county. If you’re looking for rural, we’ve got plenty of it. If you’re looking for a more affluent area or perhaps private schools, we’ve got it. If you want walkability, we have it,” Schwarz said.
Schwarz said she also hopes to create a pipeline for a second-chance workforce at some point in her tenure.