Grantee Spotlight: Q&A with East Central Indiana Regional Partnership President/CEO
Meet Trevor Friedeberg, President/CEO of East Central Indiana Regional Partnership.
Trevor is helping to lead East Central Indiana’s pursuit of up to $75 million in state funding through the READI program. The program is designed to infuse regions with funding that will help to attract and retain talent. Eight counties have banded together to pursue this state funding, and Trevor is helping to coordinate the process. Learn more about this historic funding opportunity, the organization helping to lead the effort, and how Trevor’s background prepared him for this role.
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READI funding is vital because it helps regions tackle critical challenges related to attracting and retaining talent, which is essential for economic competitiveness and growth. Population growth is vital for communities as it can boost economic prosperity, diversify the workforce, enhance cultural and social experiences and community amenities. Some of the top challenges READI funding can support will focus on regional priorities of quality of life, housing and infrastructure, childcare and support for families, and educational opportunities.
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Securing only $15 million was disappointing for our region, considering our untapped potential. In preparation for the new READI round, I delved into why our previous proposal fell short and reached out to successful regions for insights. We hired a new consultant with a proven track record with READI 1, and despite limited program details, we have already initiated comprehensive stakeholder engagement, hosting county workshops, a regional meeting, and public and youth surveys. Our stakeholder engagement in this round far exceeds what we were able to do in the first round, allowing us to gather feedback from all corners of the region. We have had hundreds of face-to-face participants, and thousands of responses through engagement surveys to inform our plan’s direction. Further stakeholder meetings are scheduled to refine our plan, build trust, and demonstrate that our region is a sound investment based on facts, ROI, and regional impact. We're committed to addressing past shortcomings and proving our worth that will result in more support and investment in the region.
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The East Central Indiana Regional Partnership (the Partnership) plays a multifaceted role in advancing the economic development and growth of the East Central Indiana region. Beyond its leadership in the READI process, the Partnership is actively involved in various initiatives and programs aimed at marketing our region, working closely with our Local Economic Development Organizations to maximize impact and develop a sustainable and prosperous region. One notable initiative is the "Forge Your Path" program, which is just one example of their broader efforts.
Forge Your Path: This initiative is designed to attract and retain talent by showcasing and broadcasting what makes East Central Indiana such a great place to live, work, play, and grow. It does this by providing resources related to living (including a cost-of-living comparison calculator), career development (which has a job search tool that showcases jobs located specifically in our region), and discovery (highlighting amenities and activities that are easily accessible throughout the region.) You can find more information at ForgeECI.com.
Other Roles and Initiatives:
Regional Marketing: We actively promote East Central Indiana as an attractive destination for businesses, entrepreneurs, and talent. This involves marketing the region's strengths, resources, and opportunities to potential investors and residents.
Economic Diversification: We work to diversify our region's economy by attracting new industries and supporting existing ones. We help identify key sectors with growth potential and facilitate initiatives to expand and strengthen these industries.
Quality of Life, Place, and Opportunity: We play a role in advocating for quality of life, place, and opportunity investments throughout the region. This goal goes hand-in-hand with the goals of the IEDC’s READI program, which has enabled investments in these critical areas throughout the region.
In essence, the Partnership goes beyond its involvement in the READI process to actively shape and enhance the region's economic landscape. Through initiatives like Forge Your Path and a comprehensive approach to economic development, we aim to create a vibrant, prosperous, and sustainable future for East Central Indiana.
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The Forge Your Path website is a wonderful platform to showcase the assets and amenities that are available throughout the region. The Discovery section of the site is my favorite and personally most used. It includes some regional food and drink options, outdoor recreational opportunities, arts and culture amenities, events and festivals, and a section on themed adventures. The themed adventures are guides to activities such as bike trails, ice cream shops, and more topically Fall Fun, which highlights apple orchards, pumpkin patches, and corn mazes in our region. It is worth a look!
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Prior to coming to East Central Indiana, I worked at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for 13 years. There I was the Director of Business Development Projects, managing a team that covered the entire state on matters related to incentive tools (such as grants, loans, abatements, etc.) to support projects and spur economic growth. During my time at the MEDC, I received my certification as an Economic Development Finance Professional through the National Development Council. I also volunteered as a member of the City of Lansing’s Mainstreet organization for a decade, supporting downtown development and community revitalization efforts.
This past experience aligns well with my role at the Partnership, especially as it relates to the READI program application development and management. It has been a great opportunity to be on the regional side of economic development, understanding the importance and benefits of aligning mutual goals to shape a stronger vision for the future.
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The number one thing that continues to strike me are the people of East Central Indiana. When I first came here, coming from another state, it was expected to be a difficult transition, but the Hoosier Hospitality I have felt from day one is truly remarkable and something I had never experienced before. I have felt embraced, like one of the herd, from day one. Aside from that, the beautiful outdoor recreational options are top-notch. I am an avid runner, so I use the trails in our region quite often (sometimes pushing my 2-year-old daughter along the way). My family also enjoys going to the Muncie Farmers Market at Minnetrista Museum & Gardens on Saturday mornings—it quickly became a weekend tradition when we moved down.
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The best and most up-to-date place Facebookwhere we are keeping everything READI 2.0 related is our website, forgeeci.com/readi-2-0. We will have links to any public meetings on that site and there is also a spot where you can sign up to be part of our mailing list to receive more news on READI. You can also find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok.
“The number one thing that continues to strike me are the people of East Central Indiana. When I first came here, coming from another state, it was expected to be a difficult transition, but the Hoosier Hospitality I have felt from day one is truly remarkable and something I had never experienced before. I have felt embraced, like one of the herd, from day one.”
– TREVOR FRIEDEBERG, ECIRP