E-REP Seeks Public Input on 5-Year Regional Economic Development Strategy

OCTOBER 18, 2024

The Evansville Regional Economic Partnership (E-REP) is calling for public feedback on the draft 2025-2029 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for Gibson, Posey, Vanderburgh, and Warrick counties.

A CEDS provides a framework for various stakeholders to engage in meaningful discussions about building economic capacity and serves as a guide for the region to become more resilient, equitable, and competitive.

“This is the first step towards a deeper connection with the US Department of Commerce, a connection that will provide capacity building tools, grant priority, and financial support towards growing our local economy,” said Josh Armstrong, Chief Economic Development Officer at E-REP. “But equally important, the tool lets us know what our residents, units of government, businesses, and nonprofits find important and impactful, allowing us to work towards a collaboratively envisioned local economy.”

The public comment period will run through 5 p.m. CST on November 18. Interested parties can access the draft CEDS and survey form at evansvilleregion.com/ceds. The public is encouraged to review the draft and provide comments using the form available at the provided link.

The CEDS focuses on four key areas: 1) Develop Key Regional Infrastructure; 2) Strengthen Key Industries; 3) Attract and Develop a Talented Workforce, and 4) Leverage Signature Developments (e.g., River Vision, I-69 Bridge). Each focus area identifies challenges facing businesses, workforce, and the environment. The strategy approach was developed using data and stakeholder input to form goals that build economic resiliency, equity, and alignment with local, regional, and state efforts.

“This work would not have been possible without the contributions of many community members from across the Evansville Region who participated in one-on-one interviews, small-group interviews, community engagement sessions, and public feedback opportunities,” said Chris Worley, Director at Fourth Economy and Project Lead in the development for the Evansville Region’s CEDS draft. “These community members offered valuable input that helped inform the analysis, strategies, and overall direction of this plan, ensuring that it is representative of the diverse needs, histories, and voices of the region.”

All comments will be reviewed by the CEDS Committee to determine and integrate any necessary changes to the draft before it is finalized and submitted to the United States Economic Development Administration (EDA) for approval. The final plan will be available at evansvilleregion.com, and comments will be included and addressed in the appendices.

For more information on the development of the strategy, visit evansvilleregion.com/ceds. Questions, accommodation requests, and other CEDS inquiries can be directed to Patrick Hickey, Economic Development Director, at phickey@evvregion.com or (812) 470-2640.

Dear reader, are a part of the City-County Observer when you comment on the stories. Here are a few of the best comments from the past week:

In our story about the mayor reacting to a letter about conditions at the animal control facility, Lynn Wilcox wrote, “Animal. Control has always been horrendous since I was a child. I now reside in Colorado, and their shelters are nothing like in Evansville. Evansville, you should be ashamed of the conditions the animals are kept in. YOU can do better.”

This week’s story about the parks board hearing from the public on the $24 million bond, Donald Lee Nichols said, “I spoke at this meeting- here’s the video link to the entire meeting: https://evansville.granicus.com/player/clip/6894?view_id=12&redirect=true
Post-meeting it was explained to me the bond is an up or down, all-or-nothing proposal and Board vote. The $10 million for the giraffe barn cannot be “carved out” and put in a “lock box” or earmarked for the barn at a later date as I suggested in the video above. At two previous Board meetings, we heard there will be proposals for an extensive giraffe barn at Mesker Zoo, which will be introduced in 2025. So, the $10 million earmarked for the barn becomes a windfall for the remaining projects. I must ask, why would a bond amount be set in stone while the projects using the bond dollars haven’t yet been approved? Makes no sense to me, unless it was the plan all along, a bait and switch. In other words, the giraffe barn and its allotted dollars were a throwaway to gain funds for the remaining projects. Here’s a simple example. Under the current system, a $24 million bond is et, and the “amount” cannot be changed later for two city parks, One honoring Mayor Smith and one for Mayor Jones. However, while surveyors plot the acreage, they find Mayor Jones Park is planned on an ancient or protected site and cannot be built upon. If it’s like the current $24 million bond rules, the entire $24 million bond could be awarded to Mayor Smith Park. I was told that it would not be improper. I think it is. Let me say I support the listed projects as they address critical needs. Please, if someone can explain to me/us whats missing from my view, I’ll stand corrected.”

And Louis Murphy commented on the story about Alexis Berggren resigning from Explore Evansville, “Steve Schaefer or his wife’s next stop. Mark it down.”