MUNCIE – New is the operative word around the offices of the East Central Indiana Regional Partnership.
First of all, the name is new. The ECIRP adopted its new name only in February. For nearly a decade before that, the organization was known as Energize ECI, and was known as much for its leader, Roy Budd, as its economic development efforts.
Then there's the new president and CEO of ECIRP, who after 11 months in her position isn't really new to the job and, after 17 years in economic development at the state and local level, is a familiar name and face in job development.
It is Mindy Kenworthy's task to oversee two even newer changes for ECIRP: Since January, ECIRP has been in new offices adjacent to the Downtown Business Connector in the Lofts at Roberts building.
And ECIRP in late March launched its new website, ECIRP.org, a destination for companies that are considering economic development in ECIRP's 10 member counties: Delaware, Blackford, Fayette, Grant, Henry, Jay, Madison, Randolph, Rush and Wayne.
Kenworthy has spent some time on the road in recent months, re-introducing the multi-county organization — under its new name — to businesses and officials in its member counties.
Kenworthy told The Star Press she's optimistic about the counties in ECIRP and their ability to see the big picture.
"For us to think as a region, we had to get greater buy-in," Kenworthy said. "There is no cookie-cutter approach to regional economic development. Companies that are considering development don't see those jurisdictional boundaries. They look at the assets and strengths of a region."