COLUMBUS,IN—Indiana Secretary of Career Connections and Talent Blair Milo and Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) President Elaine Bedel joined southeast Indiana officials on Friday to announce the EcO Network of Southeast Indiana as the state’s second 21st Century Talent Region, a statewide designation awarded to Indiana communities focused on working collaboratively to attract, develop and connect talent.
In partnership with the Office of Career Connections and Talent, the IEDC and with technical assistance from CivicLab, the 21st Century Talent Region initiative encourages local governments, businesses, educational institutions, nonprofits, and economic and workforce development partners to create and implement a plan to increase educational attainment, raise household income and grow the population in a region. By taking a comprehensive, systems approach, participating regions will identify strategic priorities and projects aimed at helping its communities create a better quality of place, develop and skill up its workforce, and connect talented Hoosiers with businesses seeking to fill high-demand, high-wage jobs.
Batesville and Greensburg were among the six Southeastern Indiana cities designated as a 21st Century Talent Region on Friday.
The designation is for communities who are committed to working collaboratively to increase educational attainment, raise household income and grow the population and workforce.
Spearheaded by the Columbus Area Economic Growth Council (CAEGC), the region identified key priorities through the 21st Century Talent Region initiative, including:
- Completing goal setting for regional talent attraction and connection numbers by the end of 2019;
- Building out talent dashboards for at least all partner communities by the end of 2019; and
- Identifying the shared talent attraction, development, and connection strategies around which the region can build communities of practice in southeast Indiana.
For more information on how to receive the designation contact the Office of Career Connections and Talent at [email protected] to communicate your interest and discuss next steps.
