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At the July 10th NCI WIRED meeting, Tim Cook and Lisa Leventhal of Katz, Sapper & Miller, a tax and accounting firm in Indianapolis, made a presentation on how tax and related issues impact the site selection process.  In particular, Tim and Lisa focused on the current tax climate in Indiana, and how it compares to the surrounding states of Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, and Ohio.  The presentation focused on the fact sensitive aspects of tax analysis, including how the structure of the company and its industry can produce completely different tax impacts for a company’s site selection decision.  Tim and Lisa also touched on the best practices they have seen used by effective state and local government economic development officials. 

The slide presentation used by Tim and Lisa is attached. 

A second document, an Indiana snapshot  or 'leadersheet' provided by the IEDC  was distributed at the meeting by WIRED.

Attached is the electronic version of the 2004 State of the Workforce Report completed for the old North Central region provided by Kathy Burns of Tecumseh Area Partnership. 

TAP is developing an updated report with Graham Toft  leading the effort.  Graham and others from TAP met with many of  the WIRED LEDOs to discuss how the report should be formulated, any specific needs they have, etc.

If you have suggestions or questions, please contact Kathy Burns of TAP at kburns@tap.lafayette.in.uskburns@tap.lafayette.in.us

Though this presentation will be updated soon with the 2nd quarter results, this PowerPoint provides an overview of WIRED Activities and a sampling of success stories.

http://www.purdueresearchpark.com/academy/index.asp

The Purdue Research Park Entrepreneurship Academy

is a weeklong program for all incoming highschool Juniors and Seniors.
Students who demonstrate dedication and innovation in the
areas of Math, Science and Technology Education have applied. These students have strong leadership skills and an above average level of energy for becoming
involved in advanced learning activities.
Aspiring entrepreneurs will learn how to identify a possible
business, develop a product or service, create a marketing
plan and pitch the idea to potential investors.
Winning teams will receive college tuition vouchers, ranging from $100-$500.


For additional information,  visit http://www.purdueresearchwww.purdueresearchpark.com/academy
or contact: Sascha Harrell
smharrell@prf.org
(765) 494-6152
Or
Carmen Hunt      clhunt@prf.org    (765) 496-1049
SAVE THE DATE July 27 - August 1, 2008

CORE/LEDO Agenda

Conference Call 

Thursday, June 19^th, at 10:00 a.m.

 Update: Notes taken during the session are noted in Green.

A   WIRED Grant timing and updates:

1. Original grant will conclude on January 31, 2009.
2. DOL has granted a one year, no cost extension to Gen I regions
3. WIRED office staff, program managers & PTA holders continue to review all programs and activities
4. NCI’s goal is to complete 80% of all programs by 1/31/09
5. A select number of programs will utilize the extension period.

B   How Q2, 2008 is shaping up and anticipated reports:

1. Real progress being made in many initiatives, example Project Lead the Way results, Incubicity, ICEE programs, White County Instructional Center, Business Innovation programs Energy Efficiency, Health Care, Eureka Winning Ways
2. Quarterly reports are due on July 1^st
3. In addition to narratives, we now include:
   1. Complete metric spreadsheets
   2. Success stories & photos (please submit photos)
   3. Investment portfolio and spending projections
   4. Video/audio/press releases, etc.
4. Reports are posted on the website www.indiana-wired.netwww.indiana-wired.netwww.indiana-wired.net

You’re encouraged to review the news and communications site, WIRED documents, etc. for recent information.

C   Residual Funding available and programs being considered;

1. Approximately $500,000 has been identified for re-allocation and will be utilized to round-out the investment portfolio in specific key areas. 

Programs & estimated funding being considered:

o  Clean Energy Focus  - Outreach to identify our region as THE Clean Energy/Advanced Manufacturing  area in the Midwest  *Gina suggests working with the IEDC for a regional grant using WIRED as matching dollars as LEVERAGE…IEDC suggests this is allowable.  NCI would promote the Clean Energy initiative, increase awareness, seek promotional assistance through forums and develop a regional asset map.  The group would also focus on a map for the demand side of renewable energy and economic development assets.

o  $50,000-100,000

o  Edward Lowe Foundation Collaborative - Entrepreneurship Focus i.e. Economic Gardening.  See comments in the Elected Officials Leadership concept below regarding development of a Guidebook for elected officials and community stakeholders.

o  $100,000

o  New Tech High Mini Planning Grants:  The Rochester NTH program in Fulton County is solid, impacting metrics and delivering results.  Teachers and school administrators from NCI have visited the Rochester School system to understand the project based learning reform model; we believe additional schools may be positioned to adopt the process.  Ed Morrison is working with CELL and the University of Indianapolis to develop a mini-grant concept that could be funded to encourage schools that may wish to adopt NTH.  The proliferation of this model within NCI makes sense; however, select schools, must demonstrate adequate top-down support through teachers, administrators and the surrounding community.  The University of Indianapolis would create a readiness checklist for schools that may wish to implement while developing a methodology for delivering the program.  WIRED would consider several (2-5) $50,000 mini grants.
o  $100,000 -200,000

2. Other Concepts in development

o  Dual Credit Process for High School Students  -  Determine how Dual Credit policies vary throughout the NCI region and the impact on students enrolling in college.  (Students getting college credits while in high school are more apt to enter college and receive degrees.)

o  Elected Officials Leadership – Strategies being developed to encourage communication and action across city/county boundaries with a forum/training program possibility.  November timeframe.  *NCI is communicating with multiple parties to establish a broad and effective collaboration between WIRED, PCRD, the Edward Lowe Foundation, IAAC, David Bodorff, SBDCs and the Association of Cities and Towns.

 1.  The concept would develop a Guidebook to assist local elected officials and regional stakeholders by
 highlighting various tools and assets (i.e. incentives, zoning issues for home based businesses etc.) while
 developing a broader understanding of how to effectively address issues.  

 2.  The Lowe Foundation has expressed an initial interest in adding this project to their portfolio of programs.
 3.  Gina suggests that we should consider the inclusion of IAAC diploma courses, an issue recently addressed
  by Scott and Sam. 

 4.  Next Step: A one page concept will be shared with the Edward Lowe Foundation on July 24^th after the
  Policy Advisory Team meeting.

o  Quality Connected Places – The impact on economic development.  A forum is currently being developed which will include the Local Decision Maker (tool developed by Christine and Indraneel)

o   A New Proposal Idea was brought forward by Jim Tidd: Develop a project/problem based curriculum and center within NCI similar to the Challenger Center in Brownsburg, IN.  The center is supported by the Christa McAuliffe foundation and boasts a mock up of the challenger and mission control room.  5^th graders participate in a half or full day program while being exposed to team problems in both the space vehicle and mission control simulation areas.

1.  The Challenger Learning Center is perhaps the McAuliffe Center’s best-known program. In full-size mockups of both Houston’s Mission Control and a space station interior, middle-school students apply the principles of physical science to the real-time challenges of a simulated space flight.

2.  http://www.christa.org/main_page.htmhttp://www.christa.org/main_page.htmhttp://www.christa.org/main_page.htm

D   Opportunities for involvement:

1. PRF Entrepreneurship Academy has doubled in size with the majority of students from our region.  Sascha Harrell is looking for individuals to be mentors for the students.  Peggy will share details with anyone interested.  ** The program will more than double in 2008 with 80-90 participants; 103 students have been nominated. Mentors are required to support participants and will provide approximately 8 to 10 ours of service to the project.  Student participants will receive 3 credit hours toward the Purdue Entrepreneurship Certificate. 
2. Assist with developing meetings/forums, etc.
3. Spread the word
   1. Provide contact lists for elected officials
   2. Sign up for speaker’s boot camp using tools provided by Ed Morrison ‘It’s not your Grandfather’s economy’ material  **interest exists per participants.
   3. Forward the newsletter and invitations to your contacts
   4. Help collect success stories, send press releases, photos.

E   Your input regarding forums/sessions that are being planned;

1. Location, location, location – submit ideas
2. July 10^th CORE/LEDO meeting in Delphi –
   1. Representatives from Katz, Sapper & Miller:

The “benefit” of doing business in IN as a sales tool for attraction and retention (Lisa Leventhal and Tim Miller)

(Katz, Sapper & Miller is the second-largest accounting firm in Indianapolis, with more than 200 professionals and staff. In business since 1942, the firm has earned a reputation as a leader in the areas of accounting, audit, tax, and consulting services. It was recently named one of the “Best of the Best” accounting firms in the nation by Inside Public Accounting magazine and the fifth “Best Place to Work in Indiana” by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. The firm is an independent member of Baker Tilly International, a premier international association of accounting and business advisory firms. For more information visit us at www.ksmcpa.comwww.ksmcpa.com. )    KSM will present on Indiana’s tax structure and specifically address why IN is a better place to do business than surrounding states.  This topic of interest was encouraged by LEDOs through Jim and Gina.  Peggy will attempt to audio record the session and link to the WIRED website.

   3.   In the development stage; please check your calendars:

August Quality Connected Places   (yes, pursue for another date)

Addresses issues raised about farmland versus business development, Heartland Highway, US 31 Re routed, etc. 

  Involve Indraneel, Christine

  August 14    2^nd Thursday of the month

Sept/Oct Entrepreneurship Symposium

  Broaden the attendance to include all involved in entrepreneurial activities

  Sept 11 or Oct 9  2^nd Thursdays

November Elected Officials

This could be after elections, a leadership session tying into the Web 2.0 potential, regional issues, Grandchildren’s economy, etc.

November 13      (Election day is Nov 4, Thanksgiving the 27^th) 

*getting EO involved.  A regional approach and eliminating the boundaries.  Establish interactions with contiguous counties for small sessions.  WIRED as a convener based on ideas developed in other regions like OH.  Use of ELF guidebook.

F   Miscellaneous items:

1. Link for most recent document -   Policy/CORE team members listed and LEDO contact information:

http://indiana-wired-communications.net/news/2008/6/18/ledo-contact-list-for-nci-regionhttp://indiana-wired-communications.net/news/2008/6/18/ledo-contact-list-for-nci-regionhttp://indiana-wired-communications.net/news/2008/6/18/ledo-contact-list-for-nci-regionhttp://indiana-wired-communications.net/news/2008/6/18/ledo-contact-list-for-nci-regionhttp://indiana-wired-communications.net/news/2008/6/18/ledo-contact-list-for-nci-region

1. WITS/Local Decision Maker ---Updated opportunities to see and learn about data that’s available.  Would such a ‘menu’ and training session be helpful?

1. Your thoughts and ideas about items for this or future agendas.   Contact Peggy at phosea@purdue.eduphosea@purdue.eduphosea@purdue.eduphosea@purdue.eduphosea@purdue.edu or call 765.236.0955 to share comments and suggestions.

This list may prove helpful.  It includes the WIRED Policy and Core Team member list and contact information for the areas 14 LEDOs.

Please contact WIRED office if you have any corrections or note any discrepancies.

Peggy Hosea

phosea@purdue.edu

765-236-0955

One of the challenges we have set for ourselves in North Central Indiana involves figuring out how we develop the skills for regional leadership. Earlier this week, we held a forum in Delphi, IN to take our deliberations to the next stage.
We started with a team of faculty and students at Indiana University-Kokomo to conduct listening sessions in each of our 14 counties. Next, we distilled these findings and presented them to our forum in Delphi. We put these findings into a broader context of the transformation taking place in the Great Lakes economy.
Helen Parker, our Department of Labor lead, came to the event to help guide the conversation.
Our next step involves launching a regional leadership institute in the fall to begin defining how leadership in our region should evolve. What skills do we need? How will we teach these skills? How do we integrate the different leadership programs operating at the county level? Are the skills the elected political leaders need significantly different from the skills that civic entrepreneurs need?
We will learn more as we launch the regional leadership institute. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Fred Hakes  or Candy Norman at