BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING

At the core of every economic development program are the activities and initiatives devoted to attracting, retaining and expanding investment and jobs. Ignite The Region’s Business Development & Marketing initiative is to promote robust and sustainable growth by engaging in a proactive, economic development program that supports business retention, expansion, creation and attraction. Our Business Development & Marketing Initiative is comprised of ten strategic goals:

1. More closely align and coordinate regional economic development efforts.

2. Design a regional economic development brand that emphasizes and reflects the attractive qualities in the region.

3. Expand and leverage tourism to support industry and talent attraction.

4. Cultivate relationships and networks with business executives for the recruitment of new businesses to Northwest Indiana, especially in target clusters and sectors.

5. Maintain and strengthen the ongoing business attraction, retention, and expansion efforts at the regional and state levels to continue economic diversification.

6. Educate public officials and the public about Northwest Indiana’s economic issues and the importance of economic development.

7. Enhance the economic development tools and incentives available to the region.

8. Establish an economic development district (EDD) to serve as a facilitator of regional initiatives and a conduit for additional funding sources in Lake, Porter, and LaPorte Counties.

9. Collaborate with local real estate agencies and property developers to provide resources and incentives for visitors interested in purchasing homes or relocating to the region.

10. Brownfield Redevelopment