NEW ALBANY, Ind. (Oct. 27, 2017) – One Southern Indiana (1si), the chamber of commerce and local economic development organization for Clark and Floyd counties, Ind., was the recipient of a matching grant in the amount of $15,000 from the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana (CFSI).
The grant is designated to fund the talent/workforce development efforts of the 1si WorkHub, a program that works to coordinate and collaborate with businesses, education and other partners on workforce development efforts in the region.
Linda S. Speed, J.D., president and CEO of the CFSI, said, “The Community Foundation of Southern Indiana is pleased to be joining other foundations, manufacturers and businesses in the region in supporting the WorkHub, a workforce talent development program created by One Southern Indiana.
“This program has a strategic plan with the potential to impact many by addressing the need for financial security, and educational programming and skills building, to develop and attract strong businesses that provide living wage jobs. By awarding this $15,000 matching grant, CFSI is adhering to one of the top five priorities identified by the community in the Foundation’s 2015 Assessment of Needs and Priorities in Clark and Floyd Counties – meaningful work and broadly shared economic security, which, in turn, benefits the Southern Indiana region as a whole.”
The Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County and the Duke Energy Foundation also financially support the 1si WorkHub.
Created in 2016, the 1si WorkHub is facilitating efforts to increase the size of the labor pool in Southern Indiana and the metro area, as well as finding opportunities that can ensure available workers have the skills needed for regional job openings. Currently, the 1si WorkHub is the coordinator for the Region 10 Skill UP! Indiana grant funding as well as working on innovative approaches to complete its goals, including collaboration with Southern Indiana and Kentucky school systems on a regional certification in soft skills for students and assisting local companies with the creation of internships for young adults and externships for teachers.
“We greatly appreciate the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana’s support of the 1si WorkHub’s workforce talent development program,” said 1si President and CEO Wendy Dant Chesser. “Many area employers, most notably in the industries of manufacturing, healthcare, construction and front-line services, struggle with unfilled positions that can lead to career growth and economic security. The importance of creating solutions for the challenge of workforce preparedness and availability cannot be overstated. The matching grant from the Community Foundation, along with support from many others, will help ensure that 1si promotes solutions to help companies overcome obstacles to growth.”
Requirements of the grant included a match of $15,000 from members of the 1si Metro Manufacturing Alliance (MMA). MMA members who helped complete the match include: Amatrol, Inc., ECT Services, Inc., ERL, Inc., Harding, Shymanski & Company, P.S.C., Kyana Packaging Solutions, Mytex Polymers, Owings Patterns and Superb IPC.
For more information on the 1si WorkHub and workforce talent development, visit the website at www.1si.org/workhub.
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