All this and more will take place in Fort Wayne, Ind. and 11 counties in northeast Indiana over the next few years thanks to a hard-won $20 million grant from Lilly Endowment. Lilly grants of this magnitude are coveted by Indiana communities as they are precisely focused and typically accelerate highly targeted sectors within a region.

In northeast Indiana’s case, the immediate beneficiary will be the region’s multibillion-dollar commercial defense and aerospace industry. This has long been supported by area universities such as the Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne (IPFW) campus, Ivy Tech’s Fort Wayne operations, Indiana Tech and other area colleges.

The northeast Indiana region is home to more than 5,000 engineers, scientists and technical professionals engaged in the commercial defense industry. They tout such blue-chip companies as Raytheon, ITT (communications and space), BAE Systems, General Dynamics and others both large and small.

These companies maintain contract and procurement ties to U.S. military and defense operations across the globe. The new grant will fund the region’s TOpS 2015 (Talent Opportunity Success) program, which is a multi-tiered agenda aimed at accelerating critical human capital resources for commercial defense and other high-tech companies.

“This grant will be instrumental in helping improve the region’s competitive position,” said Chad Pittman. He’s the executive vice president of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) and he took part in the grant announcement on March 25, 2009. How do area defense executives feel about the region?

“Northeast Indiana solidly supports our industry. This level of collaboration and support is truly unique,” said Bruce Menshy. He’s the director of operations at Raytheon’s Fort Wayne location. “TOpS 2015 will produce talent resources that will further champion the area’s high-tech operations and entice more of the industry’s growing contracts.”

“We’re in the business of changing lives and changing Indiana. This [grant] gives us new tools for our toolboxes,” added Mark Keen, the chancellor of Ivy Tech-Northeast, at the award announcement in the Community Foundation’s Fort Wayne headquarters. “As a result of Lilly Endowment’s support and confidence in our region, Ivy Tech’s advanced manufacturing center will be taken to a whole new level.”

Before Lilly will consider making even an invitation to apply for a grant of this magnitude, a region or community must openly demonstrate the capacity for innovation, transformation and collaboration, according to W.R. “Ace” Yakey.

Yakey is Lilly’s program director for community development. Northeast Indiana showed the Lilly Endowment officials these qualities through “clarity of vision demonstrated by community partnerships,” Yakey said in announcing the grant award to the northeast Indiana assembled business, academic and civic leaders.

The TOpS program – combined with other regional initiatives – is expected to continue northeast Indiana’s and the Fort Wayne region’s move toward a diversified, knowledge-based economy.

In a statement, Lilly Endowment President Clay Robbins explained that Lilly wants area businesses and the regional work force to “take advantage of the compelling opportunities in northeast Indiana in the defense, aerospace and other advanced manufacturing industries. For Indiana communities to thrive in the future, they must have well-educated and competitive work forces.”

As many other Indiana communities will attest, qualifying for an Lilly grant represents a tough course. That said, the exhaustive process itself possesses numerous benefits.

“The collaboration that northeast Indiana has experienced in this endeavor is unsurpassed. It will propel the entire region,” said Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership CEO John Sampson. “Education, community and business partners from the region have made tough decisions to focus limited resources on critical needs in the region.”

While the defense and aerospace industries will be the immediate short-term beneficiaries of the grant, the work force, academic and retraining aspects of the TOpS program is expected to have positive effects across other regional target industries and clusters. This includes the area’s growing medical devices, logistics, financial services and food-processing sectors.

As the region embraces the world economy’s shift from industrial-based to knowledge-based markets, Sampson expects that the effects of the Lilly-funded skill-enhancement effort will highlight the value northeast Indiana places on economic growth, innovation, lifelong learning and global competitiveness.

“In the pursuit of economic development, every city attempts to accomplish three primary objectives,” said Tom Henry, the mayor of Fort Wayne, to the audience. These objectives include attracting new companies and retaining them. The third objective, he said, is to expand the existing companies in a city and the new ones who relocate. The Lilly grant will help northeast Indiana achieve the latter objective in a strategic fashion.

IPFW chancellor Michael Wartell echoed the mayor’s comments: “Strengthening existing business is as important to our regional economy as attracting new business. This grant is critical in supporting the defense industry, [which is] an integral component of northeast Indiana’s financial health and a longtime partner of IPFW.”

The regional boost from the Lilly Endowment funding couldn’t come at a better time, according to WorkOne Northeast CEO Kathleen Randolph: “This initiative will expand our immediate capabilities to retrain adult workers under today’s critical economic conditions. Increased availability to these resources for the region will benefit this generation and continue to better prepare tomorrow’s workers for an enduring and competitive regional work force.”

“It took a lot of work to get us where we are today,” Sampson concluded at the end of the ceremony. “Regardless of the industry, we’re all going to benefit.”

Michael Snyder is principal of The MEK Group, a marketing and business development consulting firm that provides communications-driven strategies to increase market share, enhance productivity and build distinctive brand awareness. Snyder can be reached at msnyder@themekgroup.com.
Click here for Snyder’s full biography.

Previous Columns in 2007:
State of Indiana Sets Sights on Growth in Aerospace, Satellite, Space Science (3/19/2009)
When the Real Economic Recovery Starts Up, How Will You Be Positioned? (3/12/2009)
Taylor University Turns Heads With Science Innovation, Entrepreneurship (3/5/2009)
Economist: State of Indiana Will Pull Out of Recession ‘Sooner, More Robust’ (2/26/2009)
RF Alliance in Indiana Poised to Create National Radio Frequency Center (2/19/2009)
New Indiana Commerce Secretary to Head Up State Stimulus, Focus on Rapid Growth (2/13/2009)
Altairnano in Indiana Poised to Redefine Today’s Electric Grid, Hybrid Vehicles (2/5/2009)
Eli Lilly in 2008 Posts Category Record Growth, $3.6 Billion Fourth-Quarter Loss (1/29/2009)
Will State of Indiana Move Up on the 2009 Billion-Dollar Defense Food Chain? (1/22/2009)
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels: ‘Hour of Great Stress’ to Produce New Innovation (1/15/2009)
With Tech Advances at Stake, Indiana Commences State Budget Battle (1/8/2008)
Year-End Wrap-Up: 2008’s Top Best, Worst News Developments in Hoosierland (12/18/2008)
State of Indiana Faces Complex Challenges in Declining Global Economy (12/11/2008)
Indiana Scores National Influence With Medical Technology Think Tank Move (12/4/2008)
‘No Rust Here’: Indiana is ‘New Business Belt,’ Site Selection Magazine (11/13/2008)
New Tech High Schools Spurring Transformation For Next-Generation Hoosiers (11/6/2008)
Cluster Strategy: Northeast Indiana Flexes $8 Billion Medical Device Muscle (10/30/2008)
Wanted: Leadership to Safely Take the U.S. Out of Today’s ‘Interesting Times’ (10/23/2008)
Ivy Tech Working to Drive Career Change For Economic Growth in Indiana (10/16/2008)
New York Analyst: Eli Lilly’s ImClone Acquisition Carries New ‘Promise, Risks’ (10/9/2008)
Eli Lilly Woos Carl Ichan For $6.1 Billion, Flexes Muscle to Acquire ImClone (10/2/2008)
Eli Lilly CEO Lechleiter: ‘No Part of Lilly Left Untouched; Will Bring Innovation’ (9/25/2008)
Indiana Tech Summit to Focus on Job-Generating Innovation, People (9/18/2008)
Economist Predicts Potential For ‘Perfect Storm’ in 2009 to 2010 Economy (9/11/2008)
2008 Indiana Venture Idol Competition to Attract High-Growth Entrepreneurs (9/4/2008)
Ivy Tech Community College Transforming Modern Work Force in Indiana (8/28/2008)
Indiana University Ramping Up For Global Economic Development Impact (8/21/2008)
Indiana Gov. Daniels: Serious Work Force, Education Reform on Deck (8/14/2008)
Chicago’s ad:tech in 2008: The Big Brand Idea Strikes Back For Advertising (8/7/2008)
Hoosier Life Sciences Sees Progress, Challenges as Experts Tout Success (7/31/2008)
Indiana Sets Historical Precedent With Standard & Poor’s Credit Rating (7/24/2008)
CNBC: Indiana ‘Most Improved State For Business’; Plus Balanced Budget (7/17/2008)
Midwest Experts Outline Subatomic Potential For Worldwide Nanotech Growth (7/10/2008)
Raytheon’s High-Tech Communications Network Bolsters Indiana Operations (6/19/2008)
BRAC Outcome Promises New Technology Growth Across Midwest, Indiana (6/12/2008)
Marcadia Biotech’s Success Underscores Indiana Life Sciences Potential (5/29/2008)
Indiana’s Best, Brightest on Display to VCs at 2008 Mira Awards (5/20/2008)
Purdue University: On the Brink of Midwest Technology ‘Supernova’? (5/15/2008)
Indiana Ready to Flex Subatomic Muscles With Nanotech Advances (5/8/2008)
Looming Energy Crisis: Where’s the Technology Policy DNA Headed? (5/1/2008)
Voicemail Inventor Scott Jones Sells Gracenote For $260 Million (4/24/2008)
Indiana Quietly Makes Gains in Foreign Direct Investment (4/17/2008)
Smithville Battles Digital Divide in Indiana With $90 Million Investment (4/10/2008)
CyberStates 2008: Indiana Tech Growth Still Pushing Ahead (4/3/2008)
Indiana’s Second-Largest City Moves to Seize $1 Billion Defense Growth Pie (3/27/2008)
World-Class ‘Big Red’ Supercomputer Opens Up For Indiana Development (3/20/2008)
Marcadia Biotech Scores Big Pharma Deal With Merck (3/13/2008)
FedEx CEO Fred Smith: Indiana ‘In Position’ For Global Growth (3/6/2008)
$2 Billion Indiana Military Center Taps World-Class University Firepower (2/28/2008)
TechPoint MIRA Awards Prepare to Showcase Indiana Tech Best (2/21/2008)
Purdue University Intensifies Global Life Sciences Innovation Position (2/14/2008)
AIT Management Team Takes Growth to ‘Higher Standard’ (2/7/2008)
Purdue University: Space Junk Accidents Producing Celestial Road Rage (1/31/2008)
Hoosier High-Tech Agriculture: The World Depends on It (1/24/2008)
Indiana Pumps Up Broadband Economy With $16 Million From FCC (1/17/2008)
Sen. Richard Lugar: ‘Energy, Ideas’ New Drivers to Avert Current Oil Crisis (1/10/2008)
Indiana’s Top 10 Best Technology Achievements, Worst Developmnets in 2007 (12/27/2007)
Vontoo, ExactTarget Bearing Holiday Gifts For Major Indiana Investor (12/20/2007)
Nathan Feltman: 2007 Indiana Growth Blazes on Record-Setting Pace (12/13/2007)
Indiana Rapidly Moving Toward Technology-Based Economy (12/6/2007)
Purdue’s New President: Growth Plans Reaching For the Stars (11/29/2007)
Entrepreneurs Swamp Indiana; Milestone Tech Summit on Deck (11/18/2007)
Second-Annual Entrepreneur Week Starts in Indiana on Nov. 5 (11/1/2007)
BioCrossroadsLINX to Bond Critical Indiana Biotech Assets (10/25/2007)
Burrill, BioCrossroads Conference: Indiana Life Sciences Expansion on Deck (10/19/2007)
Convergence Drives Runaway Success For Hoosier Biotech (10/11/2007)
‘Deals Are Getting Done, Market is Open’ in Indiana, CBRE Says (10/5/2007)
Nanotechnology ‘Backbone of Development’ Expands With Grant (9/27/2007)
Big Changes Under Way For $6 Billion Defense Industry in Indiana (9/13/2007)
Indiana is ‘Undisputed Juggernaut in Attracting Japanese Investment’ (9/7/2007)
High-End IT Professionals: Indiana’s Exploding Tech Industry Needs You (8/30/2007)
Indiana Biodiesel Plant a ‘Strategic Centerpiece’ For French Fuel Giant (8/23/2007)
China: Half a Billion in Indiana Exports and Growing Exponentially (8/16/2007)
Indiana University: New $2 Billion Partner For Economic Development (8/9/2007)
Message From ad:tech Chicago: Ignore Consumer Voice at Your Peril (8/2/2007)
Indiana Gov. Daniels: WestGate to Be ‘Flagship’ of Tech, Engineering (7/26/2007)
Taxpayer Revolt: A Constitutional Convention For Indiana? (7/19/2007)
$100 Million Formula One Rolls Out of Indianapolis, Won’t Return in 2008 (7/12/2007)
State of Indiana’s Defense Business: $4.6 Billion and Growing (7/5/2007)
Purdue Simulation of World Trade Center Impact Could Improve Design, Safety (6/21/2007)
Nobel Prize Winners, Scholars Primed For ‘Premier Conference’ in Indianapolis (6/14/2007)
2012: Repeat of 1859 Solar ‘Super Storm’ Catastrophe? (6/7/2007)
Indianapolis 500: 220 Miles Per Hour on 100 Percent Fuel-Grade Ethanol (5/31/2007)
‘Baby Steps’ For Marcadia Biotech in Indiana Grow Into ‘Giant Leaps’ (5/22/2007)
Indiana Legislature Scores Big With Innovative Patent Tax Credit (5/10/2007)
IEDC to Showcase Hoosier ‘Best, Brightest’ at BIO 2007 in Boston (5/3/2007)
‘Little 500’ Bike Race Sports 21st Century Indiana University RFID (4/26/2007)
Manufacturing Critical For Global Success, Indiana Expert Says (4/19/2007)
First-Ever Indiana Robotic Proton System Nukes Deep Tumors (4/12/2007)
Purdue’s Discovery Park a $350 Million ‘Driver For Change’ (4/5/2007)
Cellulosic Fuels, Ag Tech to Play Key Role in Indiana’s Future (3/30/2007)
With FCC Deadline Looming, Indiana Ponders Telemedicine (3/22/2007)
Realigned TechPoint Set to Energize Indiana IT Growth (3/15/2007)
Indiana General Assembly on Tech: Chaos or Collaboration? (3/9/2007)
Indiana DSI Initiative Sets New Vision of Innovative, Large-Scale Tech Transfer (3/1/2007)
No ‘Corn Dot-Com Bust’ For Indiana Ethanol, Says Ag Secretary Miller (2/15/2007)
Battelle Report: Indiana Biosciences Again Established as National Player (2/8/2007)
Indiana Defense Muscle Grows With West Gate Tech Park Expansion (2/1/2007)
Twenty in 10: President Bush Leaps Future of Hoosier Biofuels Forward (1/25/2007)
Outlook on Indiana-Based Biofuels, World Markets: ‘We’re Ready’ (1/18/2007)
ChaCha in Indiana Attracts Funding From Amazon, Compaq Founders (1/11/2007)
Purdue Ethanol Tech May Render Current Fuel Production ‘Obsolete’ (1/5/2007)
Click for 2006 column archive.
Click for 2005 column archive.

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