Consultant chosen for Evansville economic development strategy plan
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The Evansville Regional Economic Partnership, or E-REP, has selected Pittsburgh-based Fourth Economy as a consultant to guide the development of a new Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for southwest Indiana.
The partnership said the strategy aims to “build capacity and guide economic resiliency” across the four-county region.
The comprehensive plan to drive regional economic development will cover Vanderburgh, Posey, Warrick and Gibson counties. Fourth Economy plans to produce a draft of the strategy by September.
A public comment period will follow, and, pending resolutions of support from each county, E-REP will submit a final version near the end of the year to the federal Economic Development Administration and apply to become an Economic Development District.
“We are thrilled to partner with a firm of the caliber of Fourth Economy,” E-REP CEO Lloyd Winnecke said in a news release. “It’s a firm known for a deep commitment toward equity and resiliency – two key components of a CEDS. Fourth Economy is also well acquainted with our state and our region. It was contracted by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation to complete a Statewide CEDS, which is nearing completion. Rowing in sync with the state is critical for our region.”
Last October, E-REP received a grant from the EDA, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, to hire a consultant. Fourth Economy was chosen from a pool of six who made submissions in response to a request for proposals.
“We are honored to be working with the Evansville Region, a community that we see is focused on strategic actions to improve the quality of place and economic opportunities,” Fourth Economy CEO Rich Overmoyer said. “The development of a CEDS is an excellent opportunity to assess strengths, needs, and hear the aspirations of residents for what can make the community even more successful.”
You can get continued updates on the progress of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy by clicking here.