Ken De La Bastide, The Herald Bulletin
November 12, 2024
ANDERSON — The Madison County Chamber of Commerce is hoping the potential use of American Rescue Plan funds will attract people to the county.
The Madison County Commissioners this week approved a $50,000 grant for the Chamber of Commerce to develop a quality-of-life program.
The Madison County Council will consider approval of the funding request on Tuesday as part of a $9.7 million allocation of the federal funds.
Clayton Whitson, president and CEO of the Madison County Chamber of Commerce, said the funds will be used to match $50,000 from the Indiana Destination Development Corp.
“The funds will be used for a marketing campaign,” Whitson said. “The state is spending millions of dollars in an effort to attract young people to Indiana.”
Whitson said the state is revamping its efforts to increase tourism in Indiana and to retain college graduates and attract people.
“We will be highlighting what Madison County has to offer in a 175-mile radius to include cities like Chicago, Louisville, Columbus and Cincinnati,” Whitson said. “The goal is to attract quality workers to Madison County. We want to encourage people to see what the county has to offer in terms of employment opportunities and quality-of-life amenities.”
The Indiana Destination Development Corp. notes the quest to attract talent is at the top of the agenda for every state and city.
“Indiana has workforce shortages in many fields, and wages may not be as high as in more expensive parts of the country,” IDDC officials state in their strategic plan.
The objective is to develop tools to assist employers with their efforts and market the advantages of living in Indiana.
The IDDC also notes that many students leave Indiana to pursue employment in other states, creating a “brain drain.”
An objective is to work with colleges and universities to provide internships and employment opportunities in Indiana.
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