HEDC’s 39th–A Year of Growth

The Hancock Economic Development Council celebrated its 39th anniversary this week and looked back on a year of growth for what the organization does, as well as within the organization itself.

HEDC members and partners gathered at The Depot Beer Garden in Greenfield to commemorate the milestone. Randy Sorrell, HEDC Executive Director, reflected on how in 1985 members of governments for Greenfield, Hancock County, and the county’s towns collaborated to create an organized structure for growing the community, a structure that continues to thrive nearly four decades later.

“Thank you to all of you,” Sorrell told attendees. “We appreciate everything that you do to support us in these efforts.”

Read the Executive Director’s Message for HEDC’s 39th Anniversary here.

Highlights From HEDC’s 39th Year

Personnel Pluses

Erica Boswell joined the HEDC as Community Development Manager in October 2023. Anna Voorhis joined as Operations Manager in February 2024, replacing Connie Schmidt, who retired from the HEDC after 17 years. Erica and Anna bring a wealth of experience to their roles, and gained even more knowledge after completing the Indiana Economic Development Course from the Ball State University Miller College of Business Indiana Communities Institute.

New Digital Digs

HEDC launched a new website–hancockedc.com–in late 2023. The visually engaging platform highlights the key strengths of Hancock County, such as its available industrial space and housing, catering specifically to the needs of site selectors and business leaders. It also features HEDC’s monthly podcast, Hancock on the Horizon.

Putting on the Miles

Travel is very much back on HEDC’s agenda. Staffers journeyed near and far for knowledge and networking over the past year, including to:

• Indiana Economic Development Association quarterly conferences (Indianapolis, South Bend)
• 28th Annual Indiana Economic Outlook presented by the Ball State University Center for Business and Economic Research (Muncie)
• Site Selectors Guild Annual Conference (Nashville, Tennessee)
• Site Selectors Guild Fall Forum (New Orleans)
• Economix (Atlanta, Georgia)
• Area Development Spring Consultants Forum (Virginia Beach)
• National Rural Economic Developers Association 2023 Annual Conference (Myrtle Beach)
• Redevelopment Association of Indiana meeting (Columbus, Indiana)
• CSX/IMPA Economic Development Forum (Carmel)
• Conexus Indiana Advanced Industries Council Q2 Meeting (Greenfield)
• Civic Circle (Greenfield)

Council Evolves

The Hancock Economic Development Council welcomed several new members, including Business Furniture + Co, HMH Contractors, Envoy, and The Opus Group. The Council’s Executive Committee also got a shakeup when David Spencer joined as Vice President and Matt Brauer joined as a member.

Amplifying Hancock County

Great strides have been made on Amplify Hancock–a planned facility for workforce and career track education and training. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation has obligated $1.4 million in Regional Economic Acceleration & Development Initiative (READI) funds for the project. Twenty acres have been secured at the northwest corner of CR 300N and CR 200W.

Increasing Infrastructure

Aqua Indiana doubled the capacity of its Western Hancock Wastewater Treatment Plant to support the extraordinary growth in the region. The upgrades significantly reduce pollutants entering local waterways and improve disinfection, leading to cleaner water and a healthier environment.

Out of the Gate

Progress continues at Hancock Gateway Park at I-70 and Mt. Comfort Road. Randall Residence opened its senior living community there in late 2023. A Home2 Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, and conference center are planned. Work is underway on the mixed-use residential community called Riley Crossing at Gateway Park Apartments.

Huskies Headway

Project Huskies, a 543,000-square-foot build-to-suit from The Peterson Company, progressed over the past year. The HEDC looks forward to the client company’s announcement.

Ten for Tsuda

Tsuda USA celebrated its 10th anniversary of manufacturing automobile parts in western Hancock County. Its parent company, Tsuda Industries Co., is headquartered in Kariya City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, and is affiliated with Toyota Motor Corporation. In February 2024, Tsuda executives from Japan traveled to Hancock County to celebrate the anniversary and tour the plant.

Sights on Sites

The Hancock Economic Development Council made several site visits, including to Avery Dennison, Yamaha Marine Precision Propellers, and Elanco Animal Health. The HEDC also helped welcome several building completions, including the Aurora Commerce Center, Air 70 Logistics Park, and PL Cold.

Growth Spurt

Hancock County was the fastest growing county in Indiana in 2023, according to the Indiana Business Research Center at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business. The county grew 3.7%--a gain of nearly 3,050–for a total of over 86,000 residents.

State of Economic Development

HEDC Executive Director Randy Sorrell spoke at the State of the Community in January 2024, highlighting the county’s economic strengths.

Power Lunches

The Hancock Economic Development Council continues to draw good turnouts to its Human Resources Group Lunch & Learns. The group gathered in November 2023 to hear from the county’s school corporations, in June 2024 to discuss a county-wide quality-of-place initiative, and in August 2024 to learn about the Governor's Work Ethic Certification Program. One more lunch is slated before the end of the year.

Keeping It Local

Hancock County-based Pride Investment Partners, NineStar Connect, and Hancock Health formed a strategic alliance called HealthStar Partners to acquire the south 20.4 acres of the Elanco campus, including the five primary Elanco buildings located at I-70 and SR-9 in Greenfield.

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