Economic development is a combination of celebrating new investment and strengthening the businesses already operating in a region. In Boone County, that ongoing commitment is balanced by the Boone County Economic Development Corporation (Boone EDC) through its Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) program.
The BR&E program brings together a network of partners, including local stakeholders and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. The purpose is for the Boone EDC better to understand the real-time needs of Boone County employers and ensure they have the resources, workforce, and community support required to grow and thrive.
Boone EDC staff and partners regularly visit local businesses across the county, walking on production floors and listening closely to challenges and opportunities. BR&E visits provide a ground-level view of how businesses are operating and where support can make the biggest difference.
Two recent examples illustrate the impact of our hands-on approach. In Jamestown, the BR&E team visited a local manufacturer. The visit provided an opportunity to better understand the company’s workforce, operational priorities, and long-term growth plans.
Similarly, in Lebanon, the team engaged with a globally recognized manufacturer. The visit allowed Boone EDC to gain insight into the company’s operations and potential needs. These conversations help ensure that companies like this continue to see Boone County as a place where they can expand and invest.
What makes the BR&E program particularly effective is our emphasis on partnership. The Boone EDC does not act alone; we serve as a convener, connecting businesses with educational institutions, workforce training providers, local governments, and state-level resources. When a need is identified, the EDC helps bring the right people to the table to find solutions.
At its core, the Business Retention and Expansion program reflects a simple but essential philosophy: the health of Boone County’s economy depends on the success of its existing employers. In Boone County, supporting businesses is ultimately about supporting people: the jobs they hold, the families they build, and the communities they strengthen.
Comments 1
You can start by eliminating the Data Center. Lebanon has become a congested traffic nightmare. Drivers are making dangerous moves, and somebody will get hurt.