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In November 2025, the IEDA Board gathered with one important question in front of them:
Who are we, who do we serve, and how do we best serve them now?
The Board first spent time gaining clarity about IEDA’s identity, role, and place in a changing economic development landscape. Then, we continued the conversation with members during the December Conference, where we gathered ideas, concerns, questions, and hopes for the future. Those conversations sparked our next step…..go across Indiana to hear more from our members.
Through regional listening sessions in the spring, members shared what they value most, where they need more support, and how IEDA can continue growing as the statewide association for Indiana’s economic development professionals.
By April, the Board brought in an outside facilitator to help us set a new direction that was clear, focused, and member-informed. We are now sharing our strategic direction designed to strengthen IEDA for the future with you.
At the conference in December, we held an open forum to collect feedback from our members. In the spring, we held 4 listening sessions where we heard from 46 members and collected over 600 responses! During the listening sessions, whether we were in northern or southern Indiana, several themes came through.
Members value IEDA's ability to bring economic development professionals together. Conferences, peer relationships, and access to trusted colleagues are among the most meaningful parts of membership.
Members also value the practical side of IEDA: timely information, legislative updates, professional development, tools and resources, and shared learning that can be applied back home in local communities.
At the same time, members were clear about what they needed more of.
They want us to be a stronger and more proactive voice for the profession. They want timely communication when issues are moving quickly. They want more usable resources, toolkits, talking points, and practical guidance that help them educate boards, elected officials, community partners, and local stakeholders.
Members also expressed the need for stronger connections across regions, more support for emerging professionals, clearer communication about statewide issues, and continued opportunities to learn from one another.
In other words, members were not asking us to become everything to everyone. They were asking us to focus our resources, time, and energy on specific areas that will make the biggest impact on our industry and how they support their local communities.
In summary, here’s what you told us:
IEDA's vision is a connected and empowered network of economic development professionals who are equipped and unified to drive opportunity in every corner of Indiana. When our members thrive, communities thrive.
That last sentence matters. When our members thrive, communities thrive.
IEDA exists because economic development professionals play a critical role in Indiana's future. You help create pathways to prosperity. You support business growth, community readiness, infrastructure development, workforce alignment, and long-term opportunity.
Your work is becoming more complex, not less. That is why IEDA's mission is focused on empowering the professionals who create pathways to prosperity for every person in Indiana. Our strategic direction gives IEDA a clearer path for doing that work.
Sometimes it felt like we were starting with a blank slate, but that’s when we returned to our mission, vision, values, and our members' voice. Here’s the result of our collective work.
IEDA's strategic direction includes four key priorities.
One of the most important outcomes of this process is that IEDA is choosing growth.
Growth in value. Growth in clarity. Growth in capacity. Growth in voice. Growth in service to members.
The April visioning work helped the Board move from discussion to direction. The Board considered what it would take to grow, what resources would be needed, what priorities mattered most, and how IEDA could move forward with focus and discipline.
That work was not easy. It required honest conversation, thoughtful debate, and a willingness to make choices. The Board had to consider what we can realistically do, what we should prioritize, and how to build a stronger future without losing what members already value most.
We are grateful for the hard work of the Board in choosing this direction. Their leadership helped turn member feedback into a focused path forward.
For members, IEDA's new strategic direction to serve members means your feedback is being used.
The concerns you raised were heard, and the ideas you shared were taken seriously. You will see continued focus on member resources, professional connections, timely communication, meaningful programming, and a more visible collective voice for the profession.
You will also see committees working behind the scenes to move priorities forward in a thoughtful and disciplined way. This is how strategy becomes action. Will it take us time? Yes! However, we are committed to seeing this new strategic direction through until our goals are achieved.
For sponsors and partners, this strategic direction creates a stronger opportunity to support the people and communities shaping Indiana's future.
IEDA's members are the professionals doing the hard work of economic development every day. They are supporting local communities, helping create opportunity, and working to ensure Indiana remains competitive and prepared for what comes next.
As IEDA grows its member value, strengthens advocacy, builds capacity, and plans for long-term sustainability, sponsors have an opportunity to align with an organization that is focused, energized, and moving forward. You're investing in the profession and Indiana communities.
It began in November of 2025 with the Board asking important questions about identity and purpose. It continued in December as members shared ideas and concerns at the Conference. It deepened through the spring listening sessions. And it became clearer in April as the Board used what we heard to define how IEDA will serve and where the organization needs to go.
Now, IEDA has a strategic direction that reflects both member voice and Board leadership. We are excited for the future!
Thank you to every member who participated, shared feedback, attended a session, contributed an idea, raised a concern, or helped shape the conversation.
Thank you to the Board for listening carefully, wrestling with the choices, and choosing a direction that positions IEDA for long-term growth and impact.
Together, we are building a stronger, more connected, more empowered network of economic development professionals who are equipped and unified to drive opportunity in every corner of Indiana.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – January 20, 2026 – At the Indiana Economic Development Association (IEDA) Annual Meeting this December, our community of practitioners came together not just to reflect on a year of progress, but to empower the leaders who will guide our shared mission forward.
We are proud to announce the election of our new Board Members and Officers for the upcoming year. These individuals represent the heart of Indiana’s economic development profession—bringing diverse expertise from urban centers to rural towns, all united by a single goal: creating opportunity for every Hoosier.
“The Indiana Economic Development Association has been a critical resource and catalyst for collaborative growth in the State of Indiana since 1968, and it is a distinct honor to serve my peers and state as Board Chair,” said the newly elected Board Chair, John Launius. “The IEDA, alongside a membership rich with expertise and experience, will continue to advocate, educate, and ensure statewide connectivity of economic development professionals and partners.”
Leading the Way Together
The following leaders were elected by the membership to serve as our advocates, mentors, and voices for 2026:
New Officers:
Chair: John Launius, One Southern Indiana
Vice Chair: Bethany Hartley, South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership
Secretary: Tenille Zartman, Grow Wabash County
Treasurer: Bryan Brackemyre, Indiana Municipal Power Agency
New Board Members:
Rachel Huser, Wabash Valley Power Alliance
Corey Murphy, New Castle Henry County Econ. Dev. Corp.
Chris Pfaff, Knox County Indiana Economic Development
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A Note from the IEDA
Economic development is more than just transactions; it’s about the people behind the progress. As Indiana’s only statewide association dedicated to this profession, IEDA serves as a "professional home" where practitioners find the credibility, belonging, and tools they need to thrive.
When our members are supported, their communities are stronger. We welcome these new leaders to the helm as we continue to share knowledge, influence policy, and invest in the leadership development that ensures long-term prosperity in every corner of our state.
About IEDA
Since 1968, the Indiana Economic Development Association (IEDA) has been the united voice for the people building Indiana’s future. Representing over 400 members across local organizations, agencies, and corporations, we are a member-driven network focused on connection and growth. We provide the training and advocacy that empower professionals to turn vision into reality.
At the Indiana Economic Development Association (IEDA), we believe that Indiana’s progress is driven by the dedicated professionals working on the ground in every county, city, and town. As the state’s premier member-driven network for economic development, our mission is simple: to empower the leaders who build our communities.
We are pleased to share the IEDA Annual Legislative Agenda. This roadmap, developed by our Legislative Committee and approved by our Board of Directors, outlines our policy priorities for the upcoming legislative session.
More than just a document, this agenda represents a united professional voice. It serves as a bridge between local insight and state-level policy, ensuring that Indiana remains a place where businesses can grow and residents can flourish. By supporting the practitioners behind our state’s progress, we are investing in the long-term prosperity of every Hoosier.
We invite you to explore our priorities and join us in championing a stronger, more vibrant Indiana.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – October 2025 – The Indiana Economic Development Association (IEDA) today unveiled a concise new brand identity and visual system designed to reflect its unique role as the trusted, collaborative champion for economic development professionals statewide. Anchored by the powerful core promise: "One State, Many Voices," the rebrand emphasizes IEDA's commitment to convening diverse perspectives, driving opportunity in every corner of the state, and empowering its members through an Approachable, Inclusive, Confident, and Supportive framework. This new look and message is effective immediately, ensuring greater clarity and impact as we advance the collective mission of prosperity for all Hoosiers.
NEWS RELEASE
This report presents the findings of an online survey conducted in March 2025 among LEDO/REDO members of the Indiana Economic Development Association (IEDA). This initiative was a collaboration between Purdue University’s Office of Engagement, the Purdue Center for Regional Development, and the IEDA. The survey aimed to collect annual data from IEDA LEDO/REDO members regarding their staffing, budgets, economic development activities and priorities, as well as emerging issues and opportunities.
Following the removal of duplicates, 58 valid responses were analyzed. This represents 47% of those invited to participate. Individual responses are not disclosed in this report. The survey inquired about activities undertaken during the 2024 calendar year.
The key findings offer insights into the characteristics and operations of the responding organizations. A majority identified as public-private partnerships, and the largest segment reported annual operating budgets between $250,000 and $499,999. The survey also gathered information on strategic planning, regional affiliations, staffing levels, and perceptions of support and collaboration. Furthermore, it explored the allocation of effort across different types of projects, the reported impact in terms of RFPs, job creation, and investment, the primary challenges encountered, and areas of interest for professional development, including perspectives on the READI initiative. The subsequent sections will provide a more detailed analysis of these results.
VIEW RFP
We are excited to share an important initiative that will help shape the future of the Indiana Economic Development Association (IEDA) and its Foundation (IEDAF). As part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing economic development in Indiana, we are launching a Brand Audit and Positioning Strategy initiative to refine our identity, expand our reach, and increase our impact.
Why This Matters
IEDA has long been a trusted advocate for economic development across Indiana, representing a broad network of LEDOs, REDOs, businesses, consultants and institutions. However, as the landscape of economic development evolves, we recognize the need to refresh our brand—to ensure we communicate our value effectively, attract new members and sponsors, and engage underrepresented sectors.
Similarly, we aim to position the IEDA Foundation (IEDAF) for greater contributions in education, research and community development. Through this effort we will clarify the Foundation’s unique mission, strengthen its fundraising efforts and create a brand identity that complements IEDA.
Project Goals
This initiative will help us:
✅ Enhance IEDA’s brand identity to better represent our growing and diverse membership. ✅ Develop a clear and compelling value proposition that resonates with new and existing stakeholders. ✅ Design a strong, recognizable brand for the IEDA Foundation, ensuring it reaches its full potential. ✅ Improve engagement with a wider range of industries, including broadband providers, higher education, workforce development, healthcare, tourism, tech, and more.
✅ Enhance IEDA’s brand identity to better represent our growing and diverse membership.
✅ Develop a clear and compelling value proposition that resonates with new and existing stakeholders.
✅ Design a strong, recognizable brand for the IEDA Foundation, ensuring it reaches its full potential.
✅ Improve engagement with a wider range of industries, including broadband providers, higher education, workforce development, healthcare, tourism, tech, and more.
What’s Next?
We are inviting proposals from experienced branding firms to lead this transformation. The selected partner will conduct research, engage stakeholders, develop messaging strategies, and design new visual identities for both IEDA and IEDAF.
The project will be completed by August 2025, with an official unveiling at our Summer Conference in Indianapolis.
How You Can Help
We value your input and look forward to engaging with you throughout this process. In the meantime, please amplify the news of this project within your networks and share the RFP with quality vendors you know.
Thank you for being part of this exciting journey to strengthen and elevate IEDA’s impact across Indiana!
At the December 2024 conference, a panel of experts convened to discuss the critical factors in attracting and supporting energy-intensive industries, such as data centers and large-scale manufacturing facilities. This session explored how economic developers can position their communities as prime locations for these high-impact projects while prioritizing community interests and maximizing economic benefits. The panel included Rick Hall, Partner at Barnes & Thornburg, Devin Hillsdon-Smith, Director of Integrated Site Selection – Industrial at Cushman & Wakefield, and Jonathan Leist, Director of Community Development for the City of Fort Wayne. Moderating the discussion was Jeff Quyle, President/CEO of Radius Indiana.
PLAINFIELD, Ind. – The Duke Energy Foundation and the Indiana Economic Development Association Foundation are committing $150,000 in grant funding to support organizations and projects focused on improving access to affordable child care in Indiana communities.
The new round of grants follows more than $100,000 in funding awarded through the foundations last year to five organizations in Indiana working to close the child care gap in new and innovative ways.
“Inadequate access to high-quality, affordable child care not only creates significant barriers for parents and caretakers to participate and advance in the workforce, but also costs employers in lost productivity and employee retention,” said Erin Schneider, managing director of economic development at Duke Energy. “We know that Indiana’s child care challenges are complex and we hope these grant funds will help communities and employers develop solutions needed to support working parents and the state’s economy.”
State and local government entities, local and regional economic development agencies, and public and private nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for grants up to $40,000. To be considered, applicants must submit their grant proposal to the Indiana Economic Development Association by Jan. 31, 2025. Awards will be announced in March 2025. For a full description of the grant program, including requirements, eligibility and scoring criteria, visit ieda.org/foundation.
“Hoosier families, businesses and communities all feel the burden of insufficient child care options,” said Matt Kavgian, executive director of the Indiana Economic Development Association. “Making sure that working parents have access to affordable, quality child care will have long-term benefits for Indiana’s prosperity and economic competitiveness.”
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce recently released a report examining the impact of child care challenges on Indiana’s economy. The study found that Indiana loses out on an estimated $4.22 billion annually for the state’s economy, including a $1.17 billion annual loss in tax revenue, due to shortfalls in child care. According to the report, only 61% of children needing care statewide can be served through existing capacity.
The Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.
Supporting the economic development profession, the Indiana Economic Development Association Foundation provides scholarships and other support to tomorrow’s economic development leaders.
The IEDA Board and Legislative Committee has approved its legislative agenda for 2025, outlining a comprehensive strategy to drive economic growth, enhance quality of life, and strengthen Indiana’s position as a leading state for business and innovation.
Key Priorities for 2025
The agenda focuses on three core areas:
The IEDA will work closely with lawmakers to advance these priorities and ensure that Indiana remains a top choice for businesses and individuals alike.
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