Opportunities for Entrepreneurs: Comprehensive Report Outlines Strategic Demand, New Market Openings in Southern Indiana Region
PIKE COUNTY, IN – A broad spectrum of diverse demand for a wide variety of professionals and professional services exists in southern Indiana, representing an array of actionable growth opportunities and potential market development. These opportunities were recently strategically documented in a comprehensive report funded by the Community Foundation Alliance and Harrison County Community Foundation.
The planning report, conducted in partnership with the Indiana First READI region, profiles and pinpoints specific growth opportunities for entrepreneurs in several categories, according to Jill Carpenter, President and CEO of the Community Foundation Alliance here.
“Based on direct primary research conducted across multiple counties, the Indiana First Quality of Life Economic Impact Analysis report reveals market potential and entrepreneurial gaps on a county-by-county basis, demonstrating areas of real demand,” said Carpenter. “A careful review of key areas can yield some significant potential market growth for the right companies, professionals, and entrepreneurs.”
The economic development executives in the First Indiana region noted that they intend to mine the report to determine opportunities for scalable market growth and talent attraction. The report offers an analysis of the potential economic impact for addressing and improving defined issues throughout the region.
“This report can be a workbook for professionals looking to expand, relocate, or start up a business in multiple categories,” said Ashley Willis, Executive Director of Pike County Economic Development Corp. “It provides actionable data on what services and capacity presently exist within our counties and region, and what services residents travel outside of the county or region to buy or obtain.”
“Those gaps represent a definable opportunity to be evaluated and captured,” she added. “It can serve to attract talent and entrepreneurial opportunity for our region.”
The information is expected to help the region enhance its state and local investments from the READI program and other private investment opportunities.
The 191-page report, assembled by TPMA, identified specific opportunities to enhance the quality of life in five southern Indiana counties, sketching out gaps that can be filled through initiative planning and growth, infrastructure investments, and elevation of talent opportunities, according to Julie Moorman, President and CEO of the Harrison County Community Foundation.
Actionable potential engagement highlights for growth range from healthcare and essential services to entertainment and dining, as well as professional and technical services.
The full report, which analyzes needs, assets, and potential advantages of Harrison, Knox, Perry, Pike, and Spencer counties, is available on the Southwest Indiana Development Council website in the Indiana First section: https://swidc.org/indiana-first/
The full report profiles current inventory of essential services and quality of life amenities for each county and includes recommendations for addressing growth needs.
The research and planning report and related activities were funded by the Community Foundation Alliance and the Harrison County Community Foundation. Community Foundations in Pike, Perry, Knox, Spencer and Harrison counties served as partners for the planning and development of the comprehensive report.
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About the Community Foundation Alliance
The Community Foundation Alliance was incorporated in March 1991 after Lilly Endowment announced its Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT) Initiative in the summer of 1990. From the beginning, the Alliance was designed to be a regional structure serving counties throughout southwestern Indiana. Each county affiliate is guided by local volunteers focused on impactful grantmaking, asset development, and community leadership. Today, the Community Foundation Alliance holds more than 1,200 named funds established by individuals, families, businesses, civic groups, and agencies to improve the quality of life in their local communities, with charitable assets over $148 million. For more information, please visit https://www.communityfoundationalliance.org/
About the Harrison County Community Foundation
The mission of the Harrison County Community Foundation (HCCF) is to inspire & assist everyone to experience philanthropy, producing positive & sustainable growth in Harrison County Indiana. HCCF has a unique history. In a Riverboat Gaming Development Agreement dated May 15, 1996, RDI/Caesars Riverboat, LLC agreed with the Harrison County, Indiana government to provide $5 million to create the foundation. Ongoing contributions from the casino are based on a percentage of gaming revenue and are split between two accounts in the Supporting Organization. The majority, 75%, goes into the Harrison County Community Fund, which the county government uses to support its programs and projects. The remaining 25% is used by the foundation to fund its programs and projects, such as grantmaking and matching gifts. Because of the tremendous contributions from what is now Caesars Southern Indiana, HCCF has been able to embark on several ambitious projects. In addition, HCCF functions as any other community foundation by providing opportunities for donors to support their favorite causes. For more information, please visit https://hccfindiana.org/
About Indiana First
Representing the Indiana counties of: Harrison, Knox, Pike, Perry, and Spencer,
the region was awarded $15 million from the state’s READI program, intended to accelerate projects that will enhance the area’s quality of life, and increase competitiveness for economic growth. For more information, please visit https://swidc.org/indiana-first/
