The Indiana Economic Development Corporation has been studying 11 cities in the U.S. with significant economic growth, according to a state ?press release.
The project was meant to identify ways to attract investment to Indiana cities. Indiana’s eight largest cities account for more than two-thirds of its GDP, according to the project report.
Gov. Mike Pence ?commissioned the study with House Enrolled Act 1035 this year to identify how regional centers of the state can improve their economies.
“Our next step is to help spark that same enthusiasm into each region of our state, working with community leaders and the guidance of this study to cultivate the next big economic powerhouse community right here at home,” IEDC President Eric Doden said in the release.
Researchers studied cities such as Nashville, Tenn., to find what civic leaders did to boost the economy. In the case of Nashville, the city focused on developing the health care and music industries, according to the project report.
The city started public sector-private sector partnerships such as the Nashville Health Care Council to encourage private health care businesses to work out of Nashville.
According to the project website, there are now more than 500 health care companies in Nashville that contribute $30 billion to the city’s economy.
The report, available on the project website, includes case studies of each city and potential lessons for Indiana cities.
Doden is leading workshops through Oct. 30 in Indiana cities including Evansville, Indianapolis and Fort Wayne to discuss key findings from the study.
Information on all 11 cities studied, as well as an explanation of the research methodology, is now online at ? indianaregionalcities.com .
“By investing in our regional cities and focusing on retaining and attracting the nation’s brightest minds to join our Hoosier ranks, we’ll drive population and economic growth,” Pence said in the release. “The next chapter of Indiana’s story is being ?written right now.”
Tori Fater
