HEDC Celebrates 40 Years of Helping Hancock County Succeed

From its 1985 founding to today, the Hancock Economic Development Council has guided growth, fostered partnerships, and helped shape one of Indiana’s fastest-growing counties

“We Are the World” was on the radio, Marty McFly was time-traveling his way into movie history, Ronald Reagan had started his second term as president, and a group of forward-thinking leaders was working to set Hancock County, Indiana on a path for prosperity.

The year was 1985. Originally titled the Greater Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, Inc., the organization was officially started on September 3rd of that year before changing its name to the Council for Economic Development Hancock County, Inc. in 1986. In 2003, the title was changed to the one it’s known by today–the Hancock Economic Development Council.

Throughout its four decades, the HEDC has been carefully guiding Hancock County’s economy from its days as Indianapolis’ quiet eastern neighbor to the fast-growing powerhouse it is today. Backed by the investment, guidance, and trust of its growing membership, the organization is honored to have served the county and its municipalities for as long as it has, and looks forward to continuing working with government, business, and nonprofit leaders for many more decades to come.

In October 1985, the organization adopted bylaws outlining an objective of aggressively marketing Hancock County to new businesses seeking sites to locate new projects, assisting existing businesses with challenges and expansions, and partnering with communities on community development.

The organization’s original board of directors included:

• Joe Smith
• Beverly Gard
• Keith McClarnon
• Dick Shank
• Mary Alice Stewart
• Bill Silvey
• Tom Foster
• Robert Hiday
• Jerry Holland
• Wes Hildebrant
• Virginia Harrell
• Forrest Camplin
• Art Knox

The HEDC helped draw several businesses to Hancock County in its early days that made significant investments in the local economy and continued to do so with expansions over the decades that followed. Examples include IPT (now Hitachi Astemo) in 1989, Avery Dennison in 1992, and Indiana Automotive Fasteners in 1994.

Pursuing significant, enduring contributions to job creation and Hancock County’s assessed value has continued to be among the HEDC’s top goals.

Tom Miller was one of the HEDC’s first Executive Directors, starting in 1989 and holding the position for about 13 years.

“Hancock County was promising and very rural,” he recalled of the HEDC’s early days. “I think people, companies, and others that looked at Hancock County to develop a business in saw great potential and saw great opportunity. The question has always been one of timing–when is the growth going to occur? But it was very promising back then.”

Catch an interview with Tom on the Hancock on the Horizon podcast.

To prepare for that promising growth, deliberate and comprehensive strategizing has always been a priority of the HEDC’s as well. In 1993, the organization completed an infrastructure study for the Mt. Comfort area on Hancock County’s west side. Development has proliferated there over the decades, particularly in recent years amid a boom of large buildings designed for e-commerce and logistics purposes. That includes an Amazon fulfillment center and a fulfillment center for Walmart spanning 2.2 million square feet–the retail giant’s largest in the world.

Randy Sorrell became the HEDC’s Executive Director in 2019. Since then, 33 industrial buildings have been developed in Hancock County, totaling over 18 million square feet and totaling over $900 million in assessed value.

“Ever since the formation of the organization it has been its sole reason for being to grow the wealth of Hancock County’s citizens in both economic terms and in quality of life,” Sorrell said. “And given the growth in both population and assessed value the county has experienced over the last 40 years, those efforts have been, and still are, very successful.”

Another of those efforts was assisting Hancock Health with its Hancock Gateway Park, where a dual-brand hotel and conference center will be among its commercial and residential developments.

“Hancock Health is dedicated to providing not only quality healthcare by making health possible for Hancock County, but also creating a community that focuses on quality of life, motivating us to pursue multiple developments contributing to a diverse, local economy,” said Steve Long, President and CEO of Hancock Health, an HEDC Board member organization. “Our collaboration with the Hancock Economic Development Council has been instrumental in achieving our goals.”

Successes continue to highlight the HEDC’s history, like helping Yamaha Marine Precision Propellers move its advanced manufacturing operations to Greenfield in the 2020s and the Amplify Hancock Innovation Center, which is slated to welcome high school and adult learners for vocational training next year.

“HEDC has been a cornerstone of economic development in our county for four decades,” said Bryan Miller, GBC Bank Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer, as well as an HEDC Board member. “Its commitment to fostering growth, supporting local businesses, and driving innovation has helped shape the landscape in our county. HEDC represents a trusted partner—one that understands the unique challenges and opportunities of our communities. After 40 years, HEDC still matters because it continues to champion progress, collaboration, and resilience in ways that benefit us all.”

Hancock County was Indiana’s fastest growing county in 2023 and second fastest the following year. In 2024, nearly 1,000 residential building permits were filed across Hancock County municipalities, including a record-setting 518 single-family permits for the town of McCordsville.

“Strong communities don’t happen by chance,” said David Spencer, Director of Marketing and Community Engagement for NineStar Connect and President of the HEDC. “We support the Hancock Economic Development Council because its vision and leadership help ensure Hancock County continues to grow in ways that benefit businesses, families, and future generations.”

Interest in the area from businesses and new residents shows no signs of slowing, and the HEDC will keep guiding that attraction in the thoughtful, calculated, and thorough manner it has since September 3rd, 1985. The organization cannot do it without its members and partners, for whom it is extremely grateful. If its 40-year history is any indication, a bright future certainly awaits the Hancock Economic Development Council and all of Hancock County.