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MILAN (Sept. 20, 2018) – Governor Eric J. Holcomb and Delaware County officials joined Filtrec S.p.A., an Italy-based manufacturer of filters and filter elements, in Milan this week as the company announced plans to locate its first U.S. operation in Indiana. The company will invest $1.3 million to establish a facility in Daleville, which will serve as the company's North American headquarters. “We’re thrilled Filtrec is establishing its North American headquarters in Daleville and glad to be in Milan to celebrate this milestone with them,” Gov. Holcomb said. “Our partnership with Filtrec is possible because of our continued efforts to take Indiana to the world and bring the world back to Indiana and we can’t wait to see Filtrec’s success in Indiana.” Filtrec S.p.A, which is headquartered in the Province of Bergamo in northern Italy, will establish Filtrec North America at 12690 W. County Road 550 S. in Daleville in order [...]

By Morgan Crouse July 15, 2014 Muncie, IN — Traffic incidents pose a significant safety risk to both emergency responders and travelers. With the likelihood of a secondary crash increasing every minute that an accident remains unsolved, resolving the scene of an incident quickly and efficiently is essential to protecting the safety of travelers and emergency personnel alike. On July 31, the East Central Indiana Regional Planning District (ECIRPD) will be hosting a Traffic Incident Management training course at the Innovation Connector presented by the Federal Highway Administration. There are two time slots available to register for, 1-5 p.m. or 6-10 p.m. Those interested in attending this training can register through www.eventbrite.com. “We’re very pleased to be able to offer this public service training to the community,” said ECIRPD Executive Director, Pam Price, “We feel that it will help to facilitate communication amongst emergency responders and improve traveling safety throughout [...]

During the week, several members of the ECIRPD Board of Directors flew out to Washington D.C. to meet with legislators to discuss several projects and grants that the Planning District is currently pursuing. Those that participated in the event include: Pam Price - Executive Director at ECIRPD Brad Bookout - Project Manager at ECIRPD E. Roy Budd - President & CEO of ECIRPD Bill Hess - Chair of ECIRPD Board and Member of the Hartford City Council James King - President of Delaware County Commission Mike Burton - Member of Grant County Commission Doug Marshall - Member of Muncie City Council Nora Powell - Member of Muncie City Council Beth Grigsby - Brownfields Program Manager at Cardno ATC Bill Walters - Member of Daleville Town Board Participants met with the offices of several legislators including those of Rep. Marlin Stutzman, Rep. Luke Messer and Senator Dan Coats. Participants were very [...]

Pam Price has been named Executive Director of ECIRPD. The decision was made by ECIRPD's Board of Directors during their quarterly board meeting as part of a succession plan for President E. Roy Budd's upcoming retirement. "I'm pleased to be working for the District in this new position and excited for the challenges it will bring," said Price. Price began working for ECIRPD in June of 2011 as a Project Manager. She has successfully secured grants on behalf of ECIRPD from local, state and federal agencies that have helped to fund a great number of projects in the region. Price has two decades of experience with local, state and federal government. She once served as the Community & Government Relations Director of the Muncie-Delaware Chamber of Commerce, spearheading the Chamber’s efforts to work with all levels of government on behalf of their members. Other previous experiences include working for the [...]

Rob Gotschalk (Vandewalle & Associates) listens to feedback from the Economic Development Committee Photo by Morgan Crouse In 2013, ECIRPD was awarded a $150,000 planning grant from the United States Economic Development Administration (EDA) as part of its Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP). Since then, ECIRPD has been working with Vandewalle & Associates and the cities of Muncie, Anderson and New Castle to put these funds towards developing a strategic plan that will be submitted for review by the EDA in consideration for an IMCP designation that will give ECIRPD priority status for funding from 17 different federal agencies that altogether have $21 million to pull from. Today, ECIRPD and Vandewalle & Associates, took the next step in developing this plan by hosting a meeting with the Economic Development Committee to get feedback and insight on what improvements are most needed within the three cities. "The big idea here [...]

Portland, IN — ECI Regional Planning District uses a $609,000 EPA grant to fund the rehabilitation of the abandoned Sheller Globe building for the expansion of TLS By Design, a custom furniture manufacturing company, in Portland, IN. […]

Muncie, IN — The East Central Indiana Regional Planning District, Inc. has partnered with Blackford Greenway to secure a grant from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to put towards developing a greenway in Hartford City. The first phase of the greenway will be a two-mile trail connecting Hartford City to the Blackford County High School via Park Avenue. A portion of the greenway will be adjacent to a nature trail that passes through a wildlife habitat area containing deer, rabbits, foxes and a variety of birds. This proposal will connect residential neighborhoods to the high school, the Blackford Soccer Complex, Blackford High School Athletic Complex, the YMCA, a retirement community, a grocery, a pharmacy, shopping, restaurants, the Blackford Baptist Academy, an existing wooded nature trail, sports fields, tennis courts, and is close by the Indiana University Blackford County Hospital. “This is a great opportunity for Blackford County to improve [...]

Muncie, IN — The United States Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded $150,000 in Economic Adjustment funds to the East Central Indiana Regional Planning District (ECIRPD) to assist the Anderson-Muncie-New Castle public-private coalition in developing a regional economic vision and manufacturing strategic plan. “This opportunity for the cities of Anderson, Muncie and New Castle will give them a clear vision of how to repurpose themselves in the 21st century,” said E. Roy Budd, President & CEO of ECIRPD. Beginning with a robust analysis of the region’s assets and opportunities, this plan will explore how large, defunct automotive sites can be repurposed to create jobs and give back to the communities. “Currently, all three cities have several former manufacturing sites that need new direction, and all three also have talented people who are eager for fresh opportunities,” said Budd. If the EDA approves of this plan, ECIRPD will be eligible to [...]

Muncie, IN — Last week, the East Central Indiana Regional Planning District, Inc. was approved by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) for a $60,000 grant to help update the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) plan. This marks the fourth Financial Assistance Award that the Planning District has received from the EDA since their inception. “This is really going to benefit the district,” said E. Roy Budd, President & CEO of the Planning District, “We are pleased to have the confidence of the EDA demonstrated in this fourth funding of our agency.” This grant will provide assistance for short-term planning, helping to fund the continuation of the CEDS for the upcoming year. The grant will also help the Planning District work towards becoming an Economic Development District. The CEDS Plan will contain the top priority projects and socio-economic data for all of the communities in the region consisting of Blackford, Jay, [...]