Taylor Siefker Williams Design Group (TSWDG) led the facilitation and development of the East Central Indiana Regional Partnership (ECIRP), Regional Development Plan in response to the State of Indiana’s READI program. This regional planning process, which included Blackford, Delaware, Fayette, Grant, Henry, Jay, Randolph and Wayne counties, identified strategic projects and programs that will ultimately strengthen the individual communities and make East Central Indiana a competitive choice for talent and economic growth. Over the course of 3 months, TSWDG worked to engage hundreds of residents and stakeholders from all corners of the eight-county region. To do this, the team utilized existing platforms, social media tools and contact lists, facilitated three stakeholder sessions to inform and engage the public in the process, and facilitated an open call for projects to identify strategic projects and programs that will ultimately strengthen our communities and make East Central Indiana a competitive choice for talent and economic growth.

The plan assesses the individual needs of each county and analyzes how those needs impact the greater region. The plan goes on to define how each town, city, and county can leverage existing assets and work together with the East Central Indiana Regional Partnership (ECIRP) to improve the local community and the larger region. The plan focused on ways to improve the region in 5 specific categories: regional partnerships, talent enhancement, talent development, talent attraction and talent growth. The 5 goal topics also include a series of catalyst and supporting projects that are achievable over time. The subsequent 14 catalyst projects that the plan identifies either leverage the assets or improve upon known challenges. In addition to the catalyst projects, the Plan outlines the ongoing strategic planning within each of the eight counties. This acknowledgment results in the identification of 100 supporting projects and programs that would benefit local communities.

As a result of this regional planning effort the Forge Your Path Regional Development Plan received $15M in READI funding from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation in 2021.