Co-op Land Economic Development Podcast

In our latest episode, WVPA economic development team member Rachel Huser interviews Patrick Hoban, CEO of Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council. Patrick discusses his background and how his professional experience led him to his current role in Central Illinois. From electric truck manufacturer Rivian to healthcare employers and even chocolate manufacturing, Patrick discusses how the region has experienced an increasingly diversified economy. 

Host Brian Anderson talks with Don Lamb, a second-generation farmer and longtime Boone REMC member who was recently named Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. Don discusses his first few months in the role, his goals for the ISDA, and how he hopes agriculture becomes a bigger part of the economic development conversation in Indiana.

In this episode, host Brian Anderson speaks with Heather Ennis, president and CEO of the Northwest Indiana Forum. The forum is a nonprofit focused on economic development growth and support for a seven-county region that makes up Northwest Indiana. Heather discusses her background, the work of the Northwest Indiana Forum and the opportunities and growth taking place in the northwest part of the Hoosier state.

In this episode, host Brian Anderson talks with Prosperity Ag owner Christi Southerland. The grant writing and consulting business has been busy since the USDA announced expanded funding through the Rural Energy for America Program. Prosperity Ag also has helped electric cooperatives secure USDA funding through the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program. 

In this episode, our host Brian Anderson talks with Crystal Jones, the executive director of the Perry County Economic Development Authority in Missouri. She discusses her experience, and how the Perry County community works together to bring business development and improved quality of life opportunities to the southeastern Missouri county along the edge of the Mississippi River.

Featuring:Matt Saltanovitz, Vice President of Domestic Business Expansion, Indiana Economic Development Corp.Brandon Noll, Senior Director of Business Development, Northeast Indiana Regional PartnershipBrian Anderson, Economic Development Director, Wabash Valley Power AllianceWhen a business grows or relocates to Indiana, there are a lot of people working to make it happen! In this episode, Brian talks with Matt from the Indiana Economic Development Corp. and Brandon from the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership. They discuss how they work to support a thriving business environment in the Hoosier state, how they and their organizations collaborate with local officials and their process for ensuring the businesses can meet their needs in Indiana.

On this episode, WVPA Economic Development Director Brian Anderson talks with Mitch Frazier, the president and CEO of AgriNovus. The organization is committed to growing Indiana’s $52 billion agbioscience economy by another $4 billion by 2024.Mitch discusses his professional journey that led him to AgriNovus, what excites him about the agbioscience economy in Indiana, and how service is greater than selling!

Wabash Valley Power profiled Missouri-based Buchheit, Inc.’s relationship with Citizens Electric Corp., its local electric cooperative, and how it benefited from a variety of economic development incentives as its grown over the years. Brian Anderson, director of economic development for WVPA, speaks with Austin Arceo, WVPA’s digital marketing specialist, about what he learned in profiling the growing partnership.The Power Moves case study can be found at: https://www.wvpa.com/empower-supply/