We have recently published a video of the Rural Economic Development Panel at the Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute’s Economic Development Conference, featuring insightful discussions from industry experts and regional leaders.
[Click here to watch the full video panel discussion.]
During the discussion, Drew Sherman talked about how priorities are evolving with the Indiana State Department of Agriculture to leverage the state’s agriculture output to generate more revenue for farmers and rural communities.
Nathan Origer highlighted efforts in the eight county Kankakee-Iroquois region to attract food and beverage processing as an example of an ag-based economic development strategy.
Nathan and Ashley Willis talked about how renewable energy projects in their counties, Pulaski and Pike, have helped to increase and diversify revenue.
And all of the panel members talked about steps local and state leaders need to take to give rural communities more tools for attracting and retaining investment.