Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
Five years ago, a professional development group formed for women in economic development.
Six times a year, women from southern Indiana gather in-person or virtually to network, offer solutions and learn something new.
Radius Indiana established the program, Women In Economic Development Leadership Initiative, to give women their own place to network. The group started with about 20 women and has grown to more than 30 women from nearly a dozen counties. Topics have included site selectors, Tax Increment Financing, workforce development, talent attraction, housing and entrepreneurship.
Chelsey Manns, principal of Manns Consulting LLC, is facilitator. She knows well the world of economic development, having served as the executive director of Morgan County’s economic development corporation from 2013 -2015 and spending time at the local level ever since as a consultant.
In the southern counties, which are a mix of small towns and rural areas, most economic development offices are minimally staffed with a director and an assistant.
“The opportunity to network with other economic development professionals to bounce ideas off of is so important,” Manns said. “There wasn’t an opportunity for these women to network.”
Brianne Jerrels is executive director of Greene County Economic Development Corporation and is a regular participant in the leadership series.
“The opportunity to network with other women is invaluable. I have been a part of Women in Economic Development since its inception and have loved watching not only the program grow, but how much we’ve grown together,” Jerrels said. “Each of us face difficulties in this industry and having this group of women as a resource helps us overcome those challenges together. I’m fortunate to be surrounded by such great colleagues who are also friends.”
Brianne Jerrels
In addition to the Local Economic Development Organization (LEDO) staff members, city planners and chamber officials also belong to the group. Radius also invited women from Perry, Owen, Pike and Spencer counties, which are outside the Radius eight-county region.
Manns said she strives to offer something different each session.
“We’ve not really had many redundant topics. That goes to show that economic development is constantly changing. TIF is one of those topics that you can hear about over and over and every time you pick up something different.” Manns said.
Economic development is generally thought to be about job creation, but it’s more about investing in growing a community’s economy and enhancing the prosperity and quality of life for all residents.
Manns said no two days are the same for those who work in economic development and challenges crop up unexpectedly.
“Our communities are all different and yet they’re all the same,” Manns said. “They all face similar obstacles. It’s good to have people to bounce ideas off of.”