Dearborn County Register, Business Outlook.  June 25, 2009

 

EcO15 Finalist for National Award

 

Staff Report

 

A regional economic development program, which includes Dearborn County, was named as one of three national finalists in an annual excellence in economic development awards competition.

 

The regional program is called Economic Opportunities through Education 2015, or EcOI5.

 

As an education and economic development initiative, EcO15 is creating a system of lifelong learning by connecting residents of 10 counties within rural Southeastern Indiana to better economic opportunities through education by the year 2015, said John Burnett, president of the Community Education Coalition, which oversees EcO15.

 

The Economic Development Administration notified the education coalition that EcOl5 has been recognized in the Excellence in Rural Economic Development category, he said.

The EDA annually recognizes innovative economic development projects or strategies in seven categories.

 

The awards showcase best practices and highlight outstanding results, said Burnett.

 

A panel of economic development practitioners, academics and government representatives evaluated each nomination for the honor, said Burnett.

 

"Hundreds of stakeholders throughout the region including industry, economic development, workforce development, education, government, and community foundation leaders are working together to connect citizens of the region with educational opportunities that can lead to economic advancement," said Burnett.

 

The "ambitious vision" of the project is to invest more than $38 million in grant funds awarded by Lilly Endowment Inc.

 

The $38 million is aimed at infrastructure and common support services, allowing each citizen of the region to move up at least one level in their training, education, and/or job placement within the region's three strongest economic clusters: advanced manufacturing, healthcare and tourism, he said.

 

The education coalition, based in Columbus, Ind., is in partnership with Heritage Fund: the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County.

The education coalition is a nationally recognized partnership of education, business, and community leaders.

 

It is focused on aligning and integrating the region's community learning system with economic growth and a high quality of life, said Burnett.

 

CEC promotes the efficient and successful integration of education, economic vitality and quality of life programming, he said.

 

 

The CEC and its partners have established the Columbus Learning Center, a 130,OOO-squarefoot educational facility that provides shared classroom, lab and library space to Ivy Tech Community College, Purdue College of Technology, Indiana University Purdue University Columbus, WorkOne, and related high school programs.

 

It also secured funding for expanded postsecondary education and training programs, assisted in the development of K-12 school programming, and has funded initiatives that support the development of pre-kindergarten children.

 

The Louisiana Business and Technology Center, Louisiana State University Specific Program: Mobile Classroom "Driving Louisiana's Economy" in Baton Rouge, was named the EDA Rural category winner Friday, May 29.