Whitley County EDC establishes community development initiative
Whitley County EDC establishes community development initiative
COLUMBIA CITY (September 29, 2011) - The Whitley County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) announced today that grant administrator Lori Shipman is leading the organization’s newly established community development initiative.
"The EDC’s community development initiative focuses on bringing together multiple local stakeholder groups to advance impactful community development projects," said EDC president Alan Tio, "With Lori’s guidance we aim to support projects that improve Whitley County’s quality of place and to align our efforts closely with regional initiatives such as Vision 2020.”
As Community Development Coordinator, Shipman provides a single point-of-contact for business owners, developers, and others considering projects in Whitley County communities, such as the recently announced redevelopment and reuse of the former Post & Mail building by local law firm Myers, Tison, Hockemeyer, & McNagny. The community development initiative employs the same customer service based approach for which the EDC has become well regarded in promoting industrial development over the organization’s nearly 20 year history.
“I look forward to bringing together technical and financial resources to support projects that improve our community’s quality of place,” said Shipman, “Whitley County is well-positioned to access state and federal funding opportunities and to participate in regional initiatives that build upon our local capabilities.”
Shipman joins the EDC’s expanded team that also consists of President Alan Tio, Small Business & Entrepreneurship Initiative (SBEI) Program Manager Bruce Stach, Marketing Project Manager Kelley Lefever, and Administrative Assistant Liane Minier.
"We continue to build upon the EDC’s core capabilities to encourage investment and job growth in Whitley County," said Tio, "Our newly established community development initiative addresses quality of place projects that are critical to our community’s long-term competitiveness.”
Shipman has been involved in community development projects throughout Whitley County, for instance coordinating Columbia City’s EPA Communitywide Brownfield Assessment Grant funded activities and the Whitley County Community Foundation’s Whitley Forward initiative. She is the owner of Lori Shipman Consulting and is a state-certified grant administrator. Shipman‘s experience in community development includes program and fund development responsibilities with organizations in Central and Northeast Indiana. She is a graduate of Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs with a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs and a concentration in management.
About Whitley County EDC
The Whitley County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is the lead economic development agency in Whitley County, Indiana. The EDC works closely with local, regional, and state partners to support our industry clients' growth and success. Our mission is to implement a unified economic development effort and to expand employment and business opportunities for the benefit of the people of Whitley County by developing and maintaining cooperation of all individuals, groups, and organizations within the county. The Whitley County EDC was established in 1992 and represents Whitley County, Columbia City, and the Towns of Churubusco, Larwill, and South Whitley. For more information about the EDC, visit www.whitleyedc.com.
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Media Contacts:
Alan Tio (Whitley County EDC) – 260.244.5506
Lori Shipman (Lori Shipman Consulting) – 260.503.1122