By Andrea Thomas, The Paper of Montgomery County managing editor
LAFAYETTE - Local representatives announced Friday morning that Montgomery County is part of a new nine-county economic development organization seeking to highlight Indiana's assets.
Montgomery County, along with Benton, Carroll, Cass, Fountain, Pulaski, Tippecanoe, Warren and White counties have formed the regional organization, called "MidWest Indiana Economic Development" in hopes that a group effort will boost economic and business development, with an emphasis on wind farm technology, the completion of the Hoosier Heartland Industrial Corridor and higher education.
Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman, who addressed a crowd of more than 100 people at Ivy Tech in Lafayette, said the nine-county region will allow communities to pool their resources to better sell the region to growing companies.
"As Indiana ramps up its emphasis on regional economic development," Skillman added, "this group of nine counties is positioned to be a leader."
Montgomery County Commissioner Phil Bane represented the local area by talking about the importance of education opportunities in MidWest Indiana.
"Higher education is important to our region, and we are fortunate to have Purdue University, Wabash College and Ivy Tech Community College turning out tomorrow's leaders," Bane said. "The more than 8,000 students at Ivy Tech Lafayette are learning in Lafayette, Crawfordsville and Monticello, and they are staying in the region with the skills and education for the jobs of today and tomorrow."
Other representatives at the announcement said MidWest Economic Development is setting out to create the premier economic development partnership, increase the wealth opportunities and quality of life within the region and advance a knowledge-based workforce that prioritizes education, work ethic and innovation.
Skillman said the state already is competitive in these areas, but she would like to see Indiana leaders and the workforce take the region to the next level.
"We want to usher in a new era of economic growth, working across county lines and thinking regionally," Skillman said. "All of us have a part to play in the state's long-term economic health."