NEW ALBANY, Ind. (May 6, 2015) – One Southern Indiana (1si) announced this week the receipt of $5,000 from the Duke Energy Foundation for the “Our Southern Indiana” project. Our Southern Indiana is the process for developing a regional vision plan in anticipation of the State of Indiana’s Regional Cities Initiative. The goal is to create and implement a regional plan for Clark, Floyd and contiguous counties in order to boost population growth through Quality of Place projects.
Specifically, the Duke Foundation grant will be used to fund research and work by BNIM, the consulting firm guiding the steering committee through a process of:
- Discovering a regional vision;
- Identifying strategic initiatives to support that vision;
- Developing a financing and implementation plan to achieve the initiatives; and
- Encouraging the community to provide a consistent and inclusive engagement during the process.
Once this process is complete, Our Southern Indiana plans to use this information to make application to the Indiana Regional Cities Initiative. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation will administer $84 million, likely for two regions in the state. Applications for this project should be accepted this summer.
“Charitable giving is an integral part of Duke Energy’s commitment to the communities we serve, and economic development is a key focus of our giving,” said Lisa Huber, southeast Indiana community and government relations manager. “We look forward to the outcome of this grand vision for success in our region.”
Wendy Dant Chesser, president and CEO of One Southern Indiana acknowledged the gift by saying, “We want to thank the Duke Energy Foundation for joining the Ogle Foundation and others in their support of this transformative initiative. The Our Southern Indiana project is the first step to launching our region into a competitive sphere for business and talent attraction as well as tourism and recreation. Support from regional businesses like Duke Energy demonstrates an essential commitment to this goal and their willingness to invest in potential of what Southern Indiana can be is appreciated.”
About The Duke Energy Foundation
The Duke Energy Foundation actively works to improve the quality of life in its communities, lending expertise in the form of leadership and philanthropic support to charitable organizations. Duke Energy has long been committed to building and supporting the communities in which its customers and employees live and work. For more information on the Duke Energy Foundation: www.duke-energy.com/community/foundation.asp
About Our Southern Indiana
Our Southern Indiana, is a regional visioning initiative to create and implement a regional plan for Clark, Floyd and contiguous counties in order to boost the population through Quality of Place projects. It was formed in response to the proposed Indiana Regional Cities Initiate. For more information on Our Southern Indiana: oursouthernindiana.com.
About One Southern Indiana:
One Southern Indiana (1si) was formed in July of 2006 as the economic development organization and chamber of commerce serving Clark and Floyd counties. 1si’s mission is to provide the connections, resources and services that help businesses innovate and thrive in the Southern Indiana / Louisville metro area.
Since its inception, the organization has evolved to include a three-prong approach to serve its members and investors. Business Resources, as the chamber side of the organization, encompasses membership, signature events and programs which support and encourage business growth; Economic Development works to grow the regional economy through the attraction of new commerce and assists with retention and expansion of existing businesses; Advocacy supports businesses at the government level by engaging in the initiatives to preserve, protect and promote a business friendly environment free of obstacles to growth and development of commerce. For more information on One Southern Indiana: 1si.org
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