The plans for Michigan City, Seymour and Warsaw were developed during year-long “learning labs” that brought local teams together with officials from the Brookings Institution and LISC—all working on place-based strategies that bridge systemic gaps in health, wealth and opportunity.
Local leaders from Michigan City, Seymour and Warsaw worked with national community development experts on small-city inclusive economic growth model
Indianapolis, IN—Residents in three small Indiana cities aim to access better housing, business opportunities and jobs under ambitious new economic development plans unveiled today.
The new growth agendas for Michigan City, Seymour and Warsaw were developed during year-long “learning labs” that brought local teams together with officials from the Brookings Institution and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)—all working on place-based strategies that bridge systemic gaps in health, wealth and opportunity.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) funded the initiative for the three communities in an effort to increase economic mobility and opportunity, preparing the cities to access new funding from the expanded Indiana Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI). The READI program is a statewide program which seeds community development projects and programs across the state in order to catalyze economic and population growth. The IEDC has successfully dispersed the initial $500 million, appropriated in 2021, to over 360 projects and leveraging more than $12 billion in total investment. This past spring, state leadership approved another $500 million for the program, which is set to be allocated to regions in 2024.
“As we think about increasing the vibrancy of our regions and advancing quality of life and quality of place across Indiana, we want to ensure that all communities – regardless of size or resources – have the opportunity to grow and better position themselves for long-term success,” said Vincent Ash Jr., vice president of real estate development at the IEDC. “These three plans directly address the challenges small cities face when working to build economic opportunity. The visions and strategies now in place in Michigan City, Seymour and Warsaw will enable these communities to better attract capital and fuel development and revitalization, positively impacting their residents and creating more opportunities for families for years to come.”
Each locale tailored its strategy to its local assets, needs, and opportunities. Together their plans shared many common goals—like expanding career pathways to high-quality jobs, building and preserving affordable housing, and transforming distressed or underutilized land into vibrant commercial facilities and public space for arts and recreation. The plans are based on the principles of community-centered economic inclusion (CCEI), which builds community wealth within underinvested places by directly engaging with residents; breaking down barriers related to race, income and geography; and connecting to broader economic growth in the region.
“The well-being of our cities and our nation depends on creating equitable landscapes of opportunity where more people, small businesses, and places can thrive,” said Hanna Love, senior research associate at Brookings. “CCEI provides local leaders with the tools to lay the groundwork for a strong and healthy future, and to do so in a way that is accountable to communities that have for too long been denied the chance to thrive.”
CCEI has been successfully piloted and expanded in twelve large cities over the past few years—showing progress where some other community investment programs have fallen short. It is now being adapted to small cities, offering a model for data-informed local planning and mobilization that connects places like Michigan City, Seymour and Warsaw to growth in surrounding counties.
“It is clear from both data and experience that equity-focused community investment plans can produce sustainable gains that have a positive ripple effect beyond any one project or neighborhood,” said William Taft, senior vice president of economic development with LISC and an Indiana native. “For these three cities, these goals are achievable. They have committed local champions behind them, and they offer great opportunities for investors to empower real community-driven transformation,” he added.
The Indiana Learning Labs provided research, technical assistance, and structured opportunities for local teams to come together to review neighborhood and regional economic data and discuss specific challenges and best practices. For more information on each city’s plan, visit:
- Michigan City - Vibrant Michigan City: Economic Prosperity For All
- Seymour - Burkart Opportunity Zone: An Inclusive Economic Development Agenda For Seymour
- Warsaw - Critical Corridor Connections an Inclusive Economic Development Agenda For Warsaw
Read more about CCEI in Community-centered economic inclusion: A strategic action playbook.
“By working through this process as a community, we have sparked a sense of collaboration that is vital to putting the Vibrant Michigan City agenda items into action,” said Economic Development Corporation Michigan City executive director Clarence L. Hulse. “Our community is so appreciative of the opportunity to work with the initiative’s partners to create a more economic inclusive environment not only here in Michigan City, but also in cities and towns across the country that can mirror our playbook as a guide.”
“Being selected by the State of Indiana for this project has presented us a tremendous opportunity to not only bring many residents to the table to discuss the future of Seymour but also to put plans together to work towards making those changes a reality.” shared Seymour Mayor Matt Nicholson. “A tip of the hat to the leadership of Brookings, LISC and Anderson & Bohlander for helping us through this process.”
“Our community is thrilled to be part of this extraordinary opportunity. We are appreciative of the efforts of LISC, Brookings and Anderson & Bolander who guided us through convening businesses, residents and community leaders in the Critical Corridors that link Warsaw and Winona Lake. Our robust Agenda will lead to lasting inclusive partnerships and transformative projects. We are thankful for all the members of our team that worked together and shared their talents and vision for Warsaw,” said Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation leadership partner Suzie Light.
About IEDC
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) is charged with growing the state economy, driving economic development, and helping businesses launch, grow and locate in the state. Governed by a 15-member board chaired by Governor Eric J. Holcomb, @GovHolcomb, the IEDC manages many initiatives, including performance-based tax credits, workforce training grants, innovation and entrepreneurship resources, public infrastructure assistance, and talent attraction and retention efforts. For more information about the IEDC, visit iedc.in.gov.
About Brookings Metro
The Brookings Institution is committed to quality, independence, and impact. Brookings Metro collaborates with local leaders to transform original research insights into policy and practical solutions that scale nationally. To learn more, please visit brookings.edu/metro. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/brookingsmetro.
About LISC
LISC is one the country’s largest community development organizations, helping forge vibrant, resilient communities across America. We work with residents and partners to close systemic gaps in health, wealth and opportunity and advance racial equity so that people and places can thrive. Since our founding in 1979, LISC has invested $29.7 billion to create more than 489,000 affordable homes and apartments, develop 81.5 million square feet of retail, community and educational space and help tens of thousands of people find employment and improve their finances.
About Local Project Leadership
Economic Development Corporation Michigan City
Economic Development Corporation Michigan City is committed to growing and attracting new industry and business to the community as well as strengthening existing business. EDCMC concentrates on services, programs, partnerships and one-on-one assistance to provide the optimum business environment for commerce and industry to prosper and grow. As a private nonprofit, EDCMC merges the right mix of resources by uniting key leaders in government, business, schools and the community. For more information, visit www.edcmc.com.
Jackson County Industrial Development Corporation (Seymour)
Jackson County Industrial Development Corporation (JCIDC), a public/private partnership, has been leading the way for industrial and economic development in Jackson County, Indiana since 1984.
Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation (Warsaw)
Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO) was formed in 1984 as Kosciusko Development, Inc. to promote economic and community development throughout Kosciusko County. KEDCO is the economic development corporation serving Kosciusko County and all the municipalities therein. Our mission is to convene, build, and show Kosciusko County’s talent, ideas, and capital. Learn more at www.kosciuskoedc.com.