PLAN PURPOSE

The purpose of this plan is to outline a series of pillars with goals that will help the six-county IND15RPC recover from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and become more resilient to future economic disruptions. This was accomplished by examining COVID-19’s impact on the region, and articulating the aspirational vision and supporting goals for recovery and ongoing success. This vision and goals will ultimately be implemented through a series of detailed strategies for recovery and resiliency, organized under the following six topic areas, or “Pillars”: Economy, Education, Housing, Infrastructure, Quality of Life, and Governance.

These strategies will be used by the IND15RPC staff, local economic development organizations (LEDOs), municipalities, and other groups in the immediate and distant future as the IND15RPC communities work to attract new residents, job opportunities, and quality of life amenities while continuing to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Local economic development professionals, including local economic development officials (LEDO) staff, IND15RPC staff, chambers of commerce, and elected and appointed leaders often become the focus for recovery information, coordination, response to questions, and grant administration or funding allocation for federally funded recovery initiatives. This plan seeks to better prepare these organizations and individuals in their ongoing roles and especially for the increased responsibilities they will have during and after a disruption.