From: Dearborn County Chamber of Commerce Newsletter, July-Aug. 2009

By Mike Rozow

Chamber President and Chief Operating Officer of the Dearborn County Economic Development Initiative

Building Relationships

With the State of Indiana

When the Dearborn County Economic Development Initiative made the decision last year to refocus its efforts, leaders determined they needed to place a greater emphasis on building stronger relationships with the State of Indiana.

The intent was not to ignore the obvious.  After all, Dearborn County is a part of the 15-county Cincinnati Metropolitan Statistical Area.  And Downtown Cincinnati is 25 minutes away.  And we fly out of the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport.  And many of us root for the Reds and the Bengals.

All that said, however, it is important to remember that we are located in the State of Indiana, we pay Indiana sales and property taxes, and we depend on the State of Indiana for governmental services.  And most importantly for economic development, Dearborn County relies on the State of Indiana for incentives and marketing support.

The Chamber has been reaching out to state officials for several years providing speaking platforms at the Chamber Expo, Brown Bag Luncheons, and briefing sessions. 

The City of Lawrenceburg’s sharing of its gaming economic development revenues – specifically, the $10 million for incentives to Honda – has gotten the State’s attention, as well as the sharing with neighboring counties.

The Dearborn County Economic Development Initiative has recently been a part of increasing cooperative efforts.  DCEDI joined with the State to participate in the 2009 international conference of the Biotechnology Industry Organization in Atlanta.  Nearly 15,000 industry leaders from 48 states and 58 countries attended.  We were part of a two-day “blitz” to the New York City/New Jersey area, calling on major and influential consulting firms that work with companies on expansion, relocation and site selection.  And in September, we’ll join an economic development sales and investment mission to Asia with Gov. Mitch Daniels.

We will continue to support the State’s efforts, and that will benefit Dearborn County in the long run.

This STRAIGHT TALK column and other STRAIGHT TALK communication through emails from the Chamber and postings on our web site will seek to clarify issues, correct misinformation, and balance discussion on key issues affecting our community.  We welcome your feedback.  Email – StraightTalk@DearbornCountyChamber.org.