Southern Indiana Business Report
WASHINGTON – Following a four-month national search, the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) board has named industry veteran Robert Grewe as its new executive director.
“We are pleased and excited to have a professional of the experience and caliber like Bob to now lead and execute economic development strategy in Daviess County,” said Eric Lane, chairman of the DCEDC board and CEO of First Federal Savings Bank in Washington. “We are looking forward to working with Bob to continue the county’s advancement and growth in the region.”
Lane cited Grewe’s experience with establishing and managing the operations and redevelopment efforts for the 7,000-acre Vermillion Rise Mega Park, which was part of his duties as executive director of the Newport Chemical Depot Reuse Authority. “We expect that Bob’s deep experience with federal and military entities will work well with the emerging opportunities associated with NSWC Crane and the WestGate tech park,” Lane noted.
Grewe replaces former DCEDC leader Bryant Niehoff, who left the organization in April to become CEO of the Uplands Science and Technology Foundation. Lane served as acting interim executive director during the search. Grewe joins DCEDC from the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership, a four-county regional economic development organization in Southwest Indiana, where he served as director of economic development.
“I have a passion for high impact economic development, and Daviess County holds the advantage of several major assets like I-69, the WestGate@Crane Technology Park, the new Commons quality of place facility in Washington, and great leadership and business professionals in the county who are committed to advancing the county,” Grewe said. “I was very happy with my former position in Evansville, but the extraordinary opportunities for growth in Daviess County made a compelling case.”
Grewe’s appointment is well received by Daviess County leadership, including Washington Mayor David Rhoads.
“We have been fortunate in Washington and the region to have strong leadership in economic development in the past, and we look forward to collaborating with Bob to continue advancing quality growth,” said Mayor Rhoads.
Drawing on his experience in planning and economic development consulting – including past experience at the Lochmueller Group and in top economic development leadership positions in Dubois and Henry counties – Grewe plans to build on a foundation of business retention and growth.
“The city of Washington and Daviess County have a strong and diverse group of solid businesses and organizations, as well as significant foreign direct investment,” said Grewe. “There are several opportunities for growth from the emerging microelectronics campus in the WestGate, agribusiness expansion, manufacturing and more – it’s an exciting time to be in Daviess County.”
As part of his new duties, Grewe will oversee the current DCEDC staff. “We have a strong team of professionals already in place at DCEDC and we look forward to Bob leading this team to the next level,” said Lane.
In addition to his extensive industry experience, Grewe is an AICP certified planner from the American Institute of Certified Planners and holds both bachelor’s and Master of Public Administration degrees from Indiana University’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs.
Grewe will assume his new role on Aug. 14.