E-REP CEO
March Madness and Advancing Our Mission
Indiana in March is hoops heaven! And that means basketball and more basketball at the Ford Center. The excellent work of the Evansville Regional Sports Commission goes public beginning March 6, with the opening of the Ohio Valley Conference Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments. Brandon McClish and Kali Mayes are developing meticulous plans to ensure that the student athletes of the OVC get the red-carpet treatment as teams vie to become the first entrants into the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Tournaments. And just three weeks later the NCAA Division II Elite Eight tips off at the Ford Center, with the national championship game broadcast live on CBS Saturday, March 30.
As the calendar rolls from March to April, we move from the bright lights of basketball courts to the not-so-bright skies of a total solar eclipse. The Greater Evansville Region will be in the path of this astral spectacle on April 8. If your business needs safety approved solar glasses, the Downtown Evansville Improvement District has an inventory for sale at just $2 per pair. You can place your order at laura@downtownevansville.com. This celestial event presents a remarkable opportunity for our community to shine as we welcome visitors from far and wide. Our region is diligently preparing with watch events and activities to ensure an unforgettable experience for all who gather to witness this rare phenomenon. Discover more about this exciting event on pages 4 and 5.
Also in this newsletter, on page 6, find out how a collaboration of two regional facilities are helping our youth. Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare and Easterseals Rehabilitation Center recently celebrated the opening of the Neurodevelopmental Center of Southwestern Indiana (NDC). As Indiana’s FIRST integrated outpatient neurodevelopmental center for youth with co-occurring psychiatric conditions and intellectual/developmental disabilities, NDC exemplifies our region’s commitment to providing accessible and comprehensive health care services to all members of our community. In less than two months since its inauguration, NDC has already processed over 40 referrals, highlighting the crucial role it plays in supporting the well-being of our region’s youth.
More good news from around the region includes an initiative spearheaded by the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership (E-REP) and the Tri-State Manufacturers’ Alliance (TSMA) – the Evansville Regional Strategic Manufacturing Roadmap. This strategic roadmap offers invaluable insights and recommendations aimed at propelling the manufacturing sector forward, fostering growth, innovation and global competitiveness.
The Evansville Region is also poised to benefit from the recent partnership between E-REP and the Evansville Regional Business Committee — the launching of the Orr Fellowship. This prestigious fellowship program, which recruits top college seniors from across the nation, is focused on cultivating the next generation of business leaders and entrepreneurs. Launching this fall, the Evansville Region will be the first chapter outside of the Indianapolis area, positioning us well to foster and empower young talent and economic growth in our region.
These projects among many others are not just standalone endeavors; they are integral components of our overarching Talent EVV goals. By attracting newcomers, expanding health care access, enhancing manufacturing capabilities, and cultivating young talent, we are advancing our mission to grow our population, foster a thriving workforce and improve residents’ lives.