317-454-7013 | info@ieda.org
Foundation | Members Login
PLAINFIELD, Ind. – The Duke Energy Foundation and the Indiana Economic Development Association Foundation are committing $150,000 in grant funding to support organizations and projects focused on improving access to affordable child care in Indiana communities.
The new round of grants follows more than $100,000 in funding awarded through the foundations last year to five organizations in Indiana working to close the child care gap in new and innovative ways.
“Inadequate access to high-quality, affordable child care not only creates significant barriers for parents and caretakers to participate and advance in the workforce, but also costs employers in lost productivity and employee retention,” said Erin Schneider, managing director of economic development at Duke Energy. “We know that Indiana’s child care challenges are complex and we hope these grant funds will help communities and employers develop solutions needed to support working parents and the state’s economy.”
State and local government entities, local and regional economic development agencies, and public and private nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for grants up to $40,000. To be considered, applicants must submit their grant proposal to the Indiana Economic Development Association by Jan. 31, 2025. Awards will be announced in March 2025. For a full description of the grant program, including requirements, eligibility and scoring criteria, visit ieda.org/foundation.
“Hoosier families, businesses and communities all feel the burden of insufficient child care options,” said Matt Kavgian, executive director of the Indiana Economic Development Association. “Making sure that working parents have access to affordable, quality child care will have long-term benefits for Indiana’s prosperity and economic competitiveness.”
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce recently released a report examining the impact of child care challenges on Indiana’s economy. The study found that Indiana loses out on an estimated $4.22 billion annually for the state’s economy, including a $1.17 billion annual loss in tax revenue, due to shortfalls in child care. According to the report, only 61% of children needing care statewide can be served through existing capacity.
The Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.
Supporting the economic development profession, the Indiana Economic Development Association Foundation provides scholarships and other support to tomorrow’s economic development leaders.
###
The IEDA Board and Legislative Committee has approved its legislative agenda for 2025, outlining a comprehensive strategy to drive economic growth, enhance quality of life, and strengthen Indiana’s position as a leading state for business and innovation.
Key Priorities for 2025
The agenda focuses on three core areas:
The IEDA will work closely with lawmakers to advance these priorities and ensure that Indiana remains a top choice for businesses and individuals alike.
The Indiana Economic Development Association Foundation (IEDAF) today announced the release of a comprehensive study, “Best Practices for Attracting Talent,” that provides valuable insights and recommendations for communities seeking to attract and retain top talent.
The study, conducted in partnership with the Indiana Economic Development Association (IEDA), explores a range of strategies and initiatives implemented by communities across the United States to successfully attract and retain talent. Key areas of focus include childcare initiatives, place-based grants and incentives, and sector-based efforts.
“This study offers invaluable guidance for Indiana communities seeking to enhance their competitiveness and economic growth,” said Matt Kavgian, Executive Director at the Indiana Economic Development Association Foundation. “By understanding and implementing best practices identified in the study, we can create a more attractive environment for talent and foster economic development throughout the state.”
The study's findings and recommendations are designed to assist communities in:
STUDY
The IDEAF and IDEA wish to thank the numerous community-minded sponsors whose generosity made this study possible.
Get ready to celebrate! The IEDA Board of Directors is thrilled to introduce Matt Kavgian as our new Executive Director!
Matt brings a wealth of experience in strategic communications, branding, and leadership to the IEDA. While his knowledge base lies outside of economic development, he possesses a strong foundation for success. Throughout his career, he's consistently demonstrated a passion for learning, building relationships, and developing winning strategies.
Matt's Eager to Learn from You!
Matt approaches this role with a spirit of collaboration and a deep respect for your expertise. He's committed to meeting as many IEDA members as possible and learning from your experiences in economic development.
Together, We'll Shape IEDA's Future!
Through open communication and teamwork, Matt will develop a shared vision and plan for IEDA's future. There's no doubt that by combining Matt's strategic skills with your guidance, we can achieve incredible things together.
After five weeks with the IEDA, Alan Tio has decided to pursue a new opportunity leading business development at the South Bend International Airport. While we're disappointed to see him go, we fully support Alan’s decision and wish him the very best.
This may come as unexpected news, and we want to assure you of the IEDA's unwavering commitment to our mission – empowering our members and driving economic growth across Indiana. The board, along with our dedicated staff, is fully invested in ensuring a smooth transition.
We haven't yet established a specific timeframe for appointing a new executive director. However, we're actively reviewing strong candidates. In the interim, our experienced team will seamlessly continue their outstanding work, guaranteeing ongoing initiatives maintain their momentum.
Transparency and open communication are core values at the IEDA. We know questions might arise, and we encourage you to reach out. Please don't hesitate to contact myself or any board member to share your thoughts or concerns.
The landscape of economic development is brimming with exciting opportunities. While challenges may appear, we will face them head-on, just as we always do, with the strength of our collective effort. Remember, our unity and resilience are the cornerstones of the IEDA spirit. When we stand together, we stand strong.
Thank you for your continued support!
Sincerely,
Erin Schneider IEDA Board Chair
VIEW JOB POSTING
Mark Fisher Chief Executive Officer Indiana Association of REALTORS®
In today’s talent-driven economy where workforce is often the top priority for corporate decision-makers, housing development goes hand-in-hand with economic development: Communities can’t compete (and companies can’t grow) if residents and recruits can’t find affordable, appealing places to live.
For Indiana, housing is a cost-of-living advantage that boosts state-level buying power: According to federal measurements of price parities across states and regions Hoosiers pay roughly 75 cents for every dollar of housing costs paid by the average American. (Indiana’s median home price passed $255,000 this summer, while the U.S. eclipsed $400,000.)
But this advantage can disappear. Indiana housing prices have outgrown the nation for the past five years. REALTORS®, homebuilders, economic development professionals and elected officials have to work together to ensure housing capacity keeps up with the demands created by new jobs and business investment.
One respondent to the latest Site Selection Magazine Site Selectors Survey (2023) gave a first-hand account: “Other than the metropolitan communities, most communities do not have the labor to accommodate a large production facility…Unfortunately, almost every metropolitan community has a significant housing shortage, which is greatly skewing the labor market.”
Indiana’s housing shortage is actually more acute than most parts of the country. In 2012, an average of 45,000 homes were listed for sale across the state’s MLS marketplaces on a given day; today, that number is just over 11,000. In the same timeframe, we’ve grown by more than 160,000 new households while adding fewer than 150,000 new housing units.
This lack of housing forces workers further from jobs, raising labor costs and challenging corporate expansion plans.
This imbalance between supply and demand is responsible for escalating price appreciation as well – roughly 50% since 2018, from a median sale less than $160,000 to nearly $245,000 year-to-date.
REALTORS® obviously don’t mind price appreciation; rising property values create wealth for homeowners as a byproduct of healthy economic and demographic demand. But when lack of inventory increases housing prices and outpaces wage growth by a wide margin, it pushes potential homebuyers to the sidelines and stymies our business climate.
Fortunately, help is on the way: The state’s current budget includes historic levels of support for housing development, including a new $75 million state-backed revolving loan fund to help local governments invest in infrastructure to encourage new housing projects, with priority given to localities that have analyzed their housing needs and enacted pro-growth zoning reforms.
The General Assembly also provided more flexible residential tax increment financing options for repaying these infrastructure loans from a growing property tax base, further enhancing the value of TIF to local communities.
More than 40% of the projects requested in the first round of Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) grants focused on workforce housing needs, and ‘READI 2.0’ formalizes housing as a funding priority for the next $500 million.
These appropriations headline the largest state-level investment in housing ever for Indiana. Lawmakers recognized that housing development, workforce development and economic development are inter-connected; we can’t promote quality of life without creating places to live.
We’re eager to see the dollars allocated in Indiana’s budget put to work expanding housing opportunities and encouraging economic growth across Indiana. REALTORS® can be tenacious allies advocating for new development and pushing back against ‘not in my backyard’ resistance.
We’re also ready and willing to partner with READI regions and local economic development organizations to provide housing market data drawn from our MLS marketplaces. REALTOR® associations can be a resource for real-time, market-driven assessments of housing availability, affordability and sales demand.
REALTORS® and local economic developers are natural partners with a shared purpose – selling the communities you serve to potential homebuyers and growing employers. Let’s work together to attract more Hoosiers by choice, job creators and capital investment.
Devin Hillson-Smith Director, Integrated Site Selection – Industrial Cushman & Wakefield
Having spent a decade as an economic developer before transitioning into the role of a national site selection consultant, I have had the privilege of experiencing the dynamic world of economic growth from both sides of the table. It’s important for community leaders to recognize and empower their economic development team – they are a crucial force that holds the key to a community's prosperity.
Economic development professionals are not just administrators; they are skilled navigators in the complex waters of commerce, capable of steering a community towards greater economic prosperity. Their insights are deep-rooted in the understanding of their community's strengths, challenges, and aspirations. Their expertise goes beyond numbers and spreadsheets; they possess an innate sense of the pulse of the region, enabling them to strategically position it for success.
As a site selector now responsible for guiding corporate clients through competitive location searches, I seek out communities where local leaders and economic developers have formed a collaborative bond. Remember this: when a company is looking to construct and open a new factory or office, there can be hundreds of millions of dollars in investment on the line. Most of my clients prioritize locations with supportive business environments and leadership that inspires trust with the long-term success of their investment. In short, corporate attraction is an exercise in risk reduction.
Site selection and corporate attraction is, at its core, the art of matching a business with the ideal location. This process requires a delicate balance of understanding business needs and community values. An economic development team is skilled in this craft, meticulously weaving a tapestry of opportunities that benefits both new/existing businesses and the community. By giving these professionals the resources and support they need, local leadership is empowering these highly specialized professionals to create an environment for economic growth that aligns with their community's vision.
However, economic developers often face obstacles that can impede their progress. Limited resources, limited support, and bureaucratic hurdles can stifle their ability to attract and retain investment. This is where strong local leadership can make all the difference. By allocating the necessary resources, creating available and ready sites, and showing unwavering support, they enable the economic development team to flourish and create lasting, positive change. And, yes, it’s immediately apparent to us site selectors which communities prioritize economic development, no matter how smooth the talk is.
Having the dedication, vision, and commitment to strong economic development will shape a legacy of sustained economic vitality for generations to come. Stand by your economic development team, and, together, you can forge a brighter and more prosperous future for your community. I look forward to working with you in the future!
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Cushman & Wakefield.
The Indiana Economic Development Association Foundation (IEDAF) in partnership with the Indiana Economic Development Association (IEDA) is seeking proposals from qualified firms to complete a nationwide search to identify and document in the form of a Study any “Best Practices” for attracting talent to States, regions, and local communities resulting in increased population and workforce availability. Interested firms must demonstrate knowledge and experience in strategic planning, marketing, creativity, and innovation.
Criteria used to evaluate communities across the US for company expansion or relocation has significantly changed over the past couple of decades. What was a very basic question of “do you have availability of land and incentives”, is now overshadowed by a more complex evaluation and determination that involves several critical issues. One of those critical issues that continues to move to the top of the evaluation list is the availability of talent and workforce to fill not only current jobs but those forecasted in the future. Indiana has implemented several key initiatives to attract talent to the State, however, more needs to be done. Through completion of this Study, the IEDAF hopes to identify, duplicate, or modify other State’s successful initiatives to attract talent with a specific section of the Study focused on initiatives, policies, and programs implemented to create affordable childcare opportunities for the workforce.
Working with the members of the IDEAF and the IEDA, the selected firm would.
1. Identify specific goals, tasks, objectives for inclusion in the Study:
a. With respect to childcare, this section of the Study would require examples of programs and policies implemented to; (1) increase the availability childcare providers through education and certification programs; (2) efforts to increase pay levels for certified providers; (3) State and local programs to reduce the overall cost of childcare to the workforce; (4) programs to encourage the consolidation of childcare providers under a central administration resulting in reduced costs to the workforce; (5) any other programs or policies to include employer cost sharing that benefits the workforce resulting in increased talent attraction.
2. Identify existing initiatives, if known, to be further explored and included in the Study both inside or outside Indiana.
3. For each Best Practice identified include any documentation about the initiative to include but not limited to, source of funding, annual costs, point of contact (if appropriate), etc.
4. Establish and confirm a timeline for completion of the Study
5. Based on the timeline, established an agreed upon number of updates on the Study’s progress.
Consultants should feel free to add into their proposals additional measures that should be incorporated into the final Scope of Work to improve the overall process and result based on their experience and best practices.
The IEDAF requires consultant’s proposal to include as a minimum.
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION: Prospective consultants should submit an electronic copy of their proposal package to Lee Lewellen, IEDA Foundation CEO at llewellen@ieda.org. The deadline for receipt of the proposals and all related materials is July 21, 2023 at 4:30 pm (EST). Questions concerning this Request for Proposals, or its submission requirements should be directed to Lee Lewellen at 317-313-8365 or llewellen@ieda.org. The Indiana Economic Development Association Foundation reserves the right to reject any and all proposals.
Duke Energy
McKenzie Barbknecht
Phone: 800.559.3853
Email: mckenzie.barbknecht@duke-energy.com
IEDA
Lee Lewellen
Phone: 317.313.8365
Email: llewellen@ieda.org
PLAINFIELD, Ind. – The Duke Energy Foundation and the Indiana Economic Development Association (IEDA) Foundation today announced $115,000 in grants will be awarded to five organizations working to assess and address child care gaps in Indiana communities.
In recent years, the cost of child care has skyrocketed, and the number of licensed child care providers has shrunk. These challenges have put a strain on working parents and their employers. In response, Duke Energy and IEDA launched a first-of-its-kind child care innovation grants program to provide financial support to communities willing to approach this issue in new and innovative ways.
“A lack of affordable, high-quality child care can prevent parents from advancing in the workforce, hinder children’s access to structured learning at an early age, and burden employers with absenteeism and employee turnover,” said Erin Schneider, managing director of Midwest economic development for Duke Energy. “These grants will help local communities begin to confront this challenge head-on and support working parents.”
More than 40 state and local government entities, local and regional economic development agencies, and public and private nonprofit organizations responded to Duke Energy and IEDA’s request for proposals, collectively requesting more than $1.1 million in funding.
“High-quality child care is an investment we can’t afford to ignore,” said Lee Lewellen, IEDA’s chief executive officer. “Through this infusion of grant funds, we hope to make measurable progress toward closing the child care gap in Indiana communities – supporting children, families, child care workers, employers and the economy.”
IEDA has convened a diverse task force of community leaders and organizations from across the state to develop policy recommendations and educate others on the impact of child care gaps in Indiana. Organizations that applied for grant funding have been invited to join this coalition to share their learnings and to guide future policies and recommendations.
Grants were awarded to the following organizations. Quotes from each on the impact of the grants can be found here.
The Carroll County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) and the Early Learning Alliance for Carroll County (ELACC) will develop a network of child care providers through a series of trainings and educational opportunities for new and existing providers. These trainings will focus on babysitting basics; CPR and first aid; and professional development and licensure. In addition, CCEDC and ELACC intend to organize an Early Learning Expo to provide resources, networking and educational training, accreditation and certification opportunities for local child care providers. These efforts aim to increase child care capacity within the county, bridge the gap for parents and child care providers, and heighten the quality of local child care options.
The Carroll County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) and the Early Learning Alliance for Carroll County (ELACC) will develop a network of child care providers through a series of trainings and educational opportunities for new and existing providers. These trainings will focus on babysitting basics; CPR and first aid; and professional development and licensure.
In addition, CCEDC and ELACC intend to organize an Early Learning Expo to provide resources, networking and educational training, accreditation and certification opportunities for local child care providers. These efforts aim to increase child care capacity within the county, bridge the gap for parents and child care providers, and heighten the quality of local child care options.
The Community Education Coalition, in partnership with Su Casa, Learn by Heart and the Indiana University ServeDesign Center, will pilot a six-month coaching and business accelerator program to support the growth and development of high-quality child care programs in the Columbus area, with an emphasis on recruiting within the Latino community. The organizations will provide approximately 250 hours of direct on-site coaching, tailored to each prospective child care provider’s unique skills, education and experiences, to guide them through the licensure process. In addition to coaching support, the Indiana University ServeDesign Center will connect the faculty and students of the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design with current and prospective child care providers seeking to design or redesign their spaces for optimal learning and to meet licensing standards.
The Community Education Coalition, in partnership with Su Casa, Learn by Heart and the Indiana University ServeDesign Center, will pilot a six-month coaching and business accelerator program to support the growth and development of high-quality child care programs in the Columbus area, with an emphasis on recruiting within the Latino community. The organizations will provide approximately 250 hours of direct on-site coaching, tailored to each prospective child care provider’s unique skills, education and experiences, to guide them through the licensure process.
In addition to coaching support, the Indiana University ServeDesign Center will connect the faculty and students of the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design with current and prospective child care providers seeking to design or redesign their spaces for optimal learning and to meet licensing standards.
The Community Foundation of Huntington County intends to stand up a Child Care Business Lab, which will serve as a platform for developing and connecting aspiring entrepreneurs with turnkey models, training support, and access to capital investment and start-up opportunities. The goal is to attract and support sustainable, high-quality child care businesses that, over time, will bridge the child care gap for working families in Huntington County.
The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) of Wayne County intends to partner with local employers to create and support a child care subsidy program to help offset the high cost of child care for the local workforce. In addition, the EDC of Wayne County intends to leverage a new digital platform to manage child care subsidies and tax credits, and connect the local workforce to child care options. Providers in the community will have the ability to register available seats in their facilities, and working parents will have the ability to search for available child care options that accommodate their schedules.
One Southern Indiana and Ivy Tech Sellersburg will conduct various community meetings, surveys and focus groups with stakeholders, parents, employers and local child care providers to better understand the child care gaps in the community. The organizations will analyze the data collected and develop a comprehensive plan to improve the quality and accessibility of child care options in Southern Indiana.
For more information about the grant program, visit ieda.org/Foundation.
Duke Energy Foundation
The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation contributes more than $2 million annually in charitable gifts to Indiana and is funded by Duke Energy shareholder dollars. More information about the Foundation can be found at duke-energy.com/Foundation.
Indiana Economic Development Association (IEDA)
IEDA is the voice of economic development for Indiana. Made up of economic developers, utilities, attorneys, consultants, financial institutions, higher education professionals, engineers, architects and construction professionals, our members are passionately dedicated to attracting and retaining jobs for the great people of Indiana.
Indiana has made significant efforts in recent decades to diversify its economy and be resilient to economic shocks and downturns affecting specific industries.
In the last few decades, the global economic landscape has changed dramatically. While at one time economic resiliency was driven by low taxes, cheap land and unskilled labor, the competitive advantage now goes to regions that attract and retain an abundant workforce that is trained and trainable.
As many states now face a significant and growing labor shortage, the competitive advantage for attracting and retaining business investment is now shifting to areas that are able to grow and retain a skilled workforce. Workers now choose communities that support their desired lifestyle and quality of life in addition to choosing employment. Investment in schools, amenities, infrastructure, the arts, and general quality of life drive location decisions for workers and their families.
Now, jobs and investment follow the workers.
‘Hoosier Hospitality’ is a cultural quality of our state that is being put to the test. Like many other states, Indiana is suffering from a systemic shortage of people with transferrable skills required by our employers. As our workforce ages, it is not easily being replaced. Our universities train individuals from all over the world but we are not retaining enough of them upon graduation. When leaders in Indiana make public statements that minimize individuals and seek to pass legislation which fails to embrace our differences, it undermines the concept of Hoosier Hospitality.
125 West Market Street, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46204 | CONTACT
