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Indiana Communities Collaborate to Create Opportunities

As many of you know, community development has always been a passion of mine. It is rewarding to help individual communities achieve their goals, and witness the growth that often takes place. That's why we continue to develop new tools. I announced with the state's Office of Community and Rural Affairs and Ball State University the launch of the Indiana Communities Institute. This new initiative will offer classes and tools to help all of Indiana's cities and towns reach their goals for economic development.

I was also in Madison at a meeting for another program that is helping communities build their local economies. I joined tourism leaders from Bartholomew, Dearborn, Decatur, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Ohio, Ripley and Switzerland counties for the Economic Opportunities through Education by 2015 (EcO15) meeting. EcO15 is an ambitious effort developed by Southeastern Indiana to jumpstart economic growth in Advanced Manufacturing, Healthcare Services, and Hospitality/Tourism. It is great to see this ten-county region come together to diversify and create new opportunities for Hoosiers.

Thanks to everyone who's putting in the hard work necessary to move Indiana forward!

Sincerely,

Becky Skillman