The Johnson County Development Corporation, the Johnson County Community Foundation and a group of community stakeholders have launched an initiative to make Johnson County a great place to work, live and do business. The group recently held their first meeting and is looking for ways to get county residents to help move our county and communities forward.
Key issues being address by the organizers of “Aspire Johnson County” include:
- fostering collaboration between local government entities
- bringing in diverse businesses
- attracting and retaining professional talent
- promoting the county as a desirable community
- and developing economic opportunities along key transportation corridors
“The people involved in this love Johnson County,” said Brent Tilson, President and CEO of Tilson HR in Greenwood. “We are saying that we are not satisfied with being just ‘good enough’.”
Tilson and Larry Heydon, President and CEO of Johnson Memorial Health in Franklin, are co-chairing Aspire Johnson County. The Johnson County Community Foundation awarded the Johnson County Development Corporation a $5,333 grant to hire a consultant and organize the process. “We are maximizing the extraordinary talents of leaders in this county,” said Heydon, who also is chairman of JCDC’s board.
Consultant Lee Lewellen helped identify opportunities for Aspire Johnson County. He interviewed county leaders and presented common themes heard during the research. “This is not another study. This is a group taking charge of a common vision,” Lewellen said.
Organizers will be meeting throughout the summer to identify and take action on opportunities.
“We are not meeting and talking. We have done enough of that,” said Heydon. “We want to make things happen and create a buzz about Johnson County.”
Participants in the initial meeting included leaders from private businesses, local government, higher education, non-profits and financial institutions.
Aspire Johnson County Initial Meeting Participants:
- Brent Tilson, co-chair Tilson HR
- Larry Heydon, co-chair Johnson Memorial Health
- Gail Richards, Johnson County Community Foundation
- Cheryl Morphew Johnson County Development Corporation
- Mayor Mark Myers, City of Greenwood
- Jay Moseley, Franklin College
- Beverly Martin, Johnson County Public Library
- Greg Taylor, Main Source Bank
- Jeff Owen, J Owen Media
- Christian Maslowski, Greater Greenwood Chamber of Commerce
- Tricia Bechman, Franklin Chamber of Commerce
- Pat Sherman, Sherman & Armbruster
- Nancy Plake, United Way of Johnson County
- Kevin McGinnis, Town of Bargersville
- Jody Veldkamp, Center Grove Community Newsletter
- Dana Monson, Johnson County Development Corporation
- Jane Blessing, Partnership for a Healthier Johnson County
- Tina Gross, Ivy Tech Franklin
- Brandyn Ferguson, Endress+Hauser
- Steve Spencer, Entrepreneur and Community Volunteer
- Erin Smith, Spotlight Strategies
