October 2, 2026: ROI Annual Report to the Region

Work-Based Learning is an integral part of Indiana’s new high school diploma for all students. Learn about the new diploma requirements and hear from the Indiana Department of Education, employers, and students about innovative work-based learning strategies happening in the Indiana Uplands.

Presenters: Rebekah Frazer, Asst. Director of Career Coaching and Academic Advising, Indiana Department of Education; Mark Murphy, President, PRD, Inc.; and Kale Woodward, Bedford North Lawrence High School student and apprentice. Moderated by Emily Menkedick, Director of Innovative Learning, Regional Opportunity Initiatives. Read more about these presenters.

Who Should Attend: Employers, K-12 and post-secondary educators, community partners, economic development professionals, and others.

Partnerships between local high schools and regional employers through high school academies like the Indiana Uplands Microelectronics Academy and Southridge High School’s CRAFTED by OFS Academy provide students with opportunities to learn about and prepare for post-secondary careers while helping employers build strong talent pipelines. Attendees will learn what it takes to implement this innovative model effectively and maintain strong partnerships between education and employers.

Presenters: Joel Karl, Coordinator, Indiana Uplands ME Academy; Dr. Shelley Christmas, Superintendent, Loogootee Community Schools; Greg Gogel, Principal, Southridge High School; Jason Diekhoff, Director, CRAFTED by OFS; and Lucas Helderman, ME Academy student. Moderated by Michi McClaine, VP of Talent Development, Regional Opportunity Initiatives. Read more about these presenters.

Who should attend: Employers, K-12 and post-secondary educators, community partners, and others.

With READI 1.0 behind us and 2.0 projects launching, now is the time to acknowledge our successes and consider how best to prepare for potential state funding opportunities in the future.

Presenters: Heidi Young, Senior Project Manager, Indiana Economic Development Corporation; Greg Jones, Executive Director, Southern Indiana Development Commission; and Bryant Niehoff, CEO, Uplands Science & Technology Foundation. Moderated by Tina Peterson, President and CEO, Regional Opportunity Initiatives. Read more about these presenters. 

Who Should Attend:  Economic development professionals, local government officials, community leaders, developers, community foundations, and others

Learn how communities across the Indiana Uplands are using arts and culture resources to create vibrant places where people want to live, work, and visit. Explore strategies from the Indiana Uplands Arts & Culture Plan that support community vitality, resident engagement, and economic growth.

Presenters: Miah Michaelsen, Executive Director, Indiana Arts Commission; Paige Sharp, Asst. Director of the Arts, City of Bloomington; Marce Johnson, CEO, Owen County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development; and Erin Kelley, IU Arts & Humanities. Moderated by Julie Halbig, VP of Economic & Community Development, Regional Opportunity Initiatives. Read more about these presenters.

Who should attend: Community foundations, tourism and destination organizations, economic development organizations, and others.

Child care challenges call for new approaches, and communities across the Indiana Uplands are exploring what those solutions could look like. Participants will learn about emerging models and strategies—including micro-facilities, Tri-Share, state and federal tax incentives, and community-driven investments such as school referenda—that can improve child care access, affordability, and sustainability for working families.

Join the conversation as we consider what it will take to build a child care system that works better for families, providers, employers, and communities—and how promising solutions can be expanded across the Indiana Uplands.

Presenters: Camille Blunt, VP of Gov’t Relations, Indiana Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Tim Dowling, Director of Early Learning, Monroe County Community School Corporation; Jenna Anderson, Director of Programs, Northeast Indiana Early Childhood Coalition; and Tikila Welch, Director, Indiana Office of Early Childhood and Out of School Learning. Moderated by Jennifer Myers, Director, Indiana Uplands Smart Start. Read more about these presenters.

Who should attend: Educators and K-12 schools, economic development organizations, employers, community leaders, policymakers, funders, and others.

Organizations across the Uplands are rethinking their role in ensuring this region has the talent and quality-of-place assets needed to grow its population and meet the region’s growing potential. In this session, you’ll hear from an employer developing housing, a school system building a training center for a regional sector, and a higher education institution incentivizing students to consider education and careers in the Uplands.

Presenters: Ron Walker, President, CFC Properties; Dr. Jerry Sanders, Superintendent, Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Corporation; and David B. Johnson, Vice-Chancellor, Indiana University Office of Enrollment Management. Moderated by Dan Peterson, VP Industry & Government Affairs, Cook Group Incorporated. Read more about these presenters.

Who should attend: Economic development organizations, community leaders, local government officials, employers, educators, school superintendents, and others  

Cohort 5 of ROI’s Career Coaching Fellowship will meet in the Ford Room.

Learn more about Indiana’s Redevelopment Tax Credit program, including the Small Town Opportunity Initiative (STOI) tax credit. Bring a potential project to the session for discussion and feedback.

Presenter: Nassif Kouton, Director of Regional Development Initiatives, Indiana Economic Development Corporation. Nassif’s work focuses on helping regions address population stagnation and become more attractive places to live. Prior to joining the IEDC, he worked for the City of Indianapolis on community engagement, neighborhood revitalization, economic development, and small business initiatives.

Who should attend: Economic development professionals, local government officials, community leaders, developers, community foundations, and others