We’ve added two new sessions to the Indiana Uplands Housing Series!
ROI Housing Series: Multi-Family and Single Family Residential Pro Forma Workshops
ROI Housing Series: Local Development Public Finance Model Workshop
Helping developers and public officials smartly evaluate proposed developments and the impact they may on communities and the tax base.
Office Closed: November 23-27
We wish everyone in the Indiana Uplands a safe Thanksgiving holiday! ROI is taking a longer break than we normally take in November. Our office will be closed November 23-27. But, we'll be back at it on Monday, November 30 eager to continue advancing prosperity in the #IndianaUplands!
ROI launches initiative to advance regional broadband connectivity and digital inclusiveness
ROI’s Digital Inclusion Initiative will accelerate efforts to achieve the digital capital, necessary for regional prosperity & economic competitiveness.
Six quality of place projects awarded ROI Ready Communities implementation grants totaling over $1 million
ROI has awarded 6x quality of place grants in five Indiana Uplands counties in the latest round of Ready Communities Implementation Grants.
ROI Housing Series: Session 6 Housing Quality
In this session, you will learn how Indiana communities are removing blighted and dilapidated properties to improve the quality of their housing stock.
ROI Housing Series: Session 5 Financing for Housing Development
In ROI's next session, we will explore what lenders look for in housing development finance packages and how developers can find appropriate financing.
Indiana Uplands Innovation Award Winners Recognized at ROI’s 2020 Annual Report to The Region
These awards highlight the amazing people and groups working to make the Indiana Uplands a terrific place to work, live, learn, and play. This year’s seven award winners were announced at ROI’s 2020 Annual Report to the Region held virtually on Tuesday, October 13.
From STEM Fellow to STEM Leader
Mandy Buskirk, a Cohort 1 STEM Fellow from Eastern Greene Elementary, used her year of Fellowship as the starting point for a host of STEM endeavors that benefit students of all ages. “I have made significant changes in my teaching and school since joining the ROI STEM Fellowship,” said Buskirk. “Our principal changed my life … Continue reading From STEM Fellow to STEM Leader
ROI Housing Series: Session 4 Hoosier Housing Ready Toolkit
In ROI's next session, you will learn how to assess your community's readiness for housing, determine the cost and benefit of new housing units, and plan for next steps.
ROI Housing Series: Session 3 Multi-Family Housing
In ROI's next session, we will discuss challenges with rental housing units in the Indiana Uplands and explore exciting multi-housing projects underway.
Nominations Open For Indiana Uplands Innovation Awards
Nominations must be completed by September 22, 2020, and awardees will be recognized October 13, 2020.
ROI Housing Series: Session 2 Medium Density & In-fill Housing
In ROI's next Housing Webinar Series, we will highlight communities that are taking advantage of vacant lots and redevelopment opportunities close to community centers.
Registration now open for the Indiana Uplands Housing Series!
Explore workforce housing challenges, needs, and strategies for advancing housing opportunities in the Indiana Uplands.
ROI adds 16 regional educators to STEM fellowship program
Sixteen K-6 educators from the Indiana Uplands region will spend a year developing teaching and leadership skills to advance science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activities in classrooms and schools.
ROI to be closed July 1-3
In observance of the holiday this week, Regional Opportunity Initiatives will be closed July 1-3.
Nominations open for STEM Fellows Cohort 4
The principal nomination window for Cohort 4 of STEM Fellows is now open!
35 educators graduate from STEM Fellow program
Nine months ago, the third STEM Fellows cohort embarked on an education and leadership journey to improve STEM education throughout the Indiana Uplands. ROI selected 35 elementary educators to learn not only STEM content and pedagogy but also peer coaching and leadership. Over the academic year, Fellows engaged in professional development in project-based learning, computer … Continue reading 35 educators graduate from STEM Fellow program
ROI opens third round of Ready Communities implementation grants
Up to $1.14 million in grant dollars is available to advance quality of place and workforce attraction in the 11 counties of the Indiana Uplands.
Plans complete for all 11 Indiana Uplands counties
ROI is pleased to share that all 11 counties in the Indiana Uplands have completed Quality of Place and Workforce Attraction plans.
ROI awards $1.86 million in Ready Communities implementation grants
ROI has announced that 12 quality of place implementation grants have been awarded in seven counties in the Indiana Uplands as part of its Ready Communities program.
State Officials Designate Indiana Uplands as 21st Century Talent Region
Indiana Uplands is the state’s third 21st Century Talent Region, a statewide designation awarded to Indiana communities focused on working collaboratively to attract, develop and connect talent.
Indiana Uplands housing study now available
View the Indiana Uplands Housing Study
Plans complete for nine Indiana Uplands counties
ROI is pleased to share that nine counties in the Indiana Uplands have completed Quality of Place and Workforce Attraction plans.
Richland-Bean Blossom selected for third cohort of ROI Ready Schools initiative
Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Corporation (RBBCSC) has been selected for the third cohort of ROI’s Ready Schools initiative.
Bloomfield school district awarded $405,000 ROI Ready Schools implementation grant
Bloomfield School District has been awarded a Ready Schools Implementation Grant totaling $405,000.
Fueling the passion for STEM: ROI’s adds 32 elementary and middle school teachers to fellowship program
Fellows develop skills to become a STEM leader within their schools and encourage other teachers to integrate STEM into their curriculum.
ROI awards a $590,576 Ready Schools implementation grant to Mitchell, Orleans, and Shoals schools
A collaborative of three school districts - Mitchell, Orleans & Shoals Community Schools – has been awarded a Ready Schools Implementation Grant.
Two Greene County school districts selected for third cohort of ROI Ready School initiative
Linton-Stockton & White River Valley Schools selected for third cohort of ROI’s Ready Schools initiative.
Spencer-Owen Community Schools awarded $500,000 ROI Ready Schools implementation grant
Spencer-Owen Community Schools has been awarded an ROI Ready Schools implementation grant totaling $500,000.
Second round of Ready Communities implementation grants now open
Eligible organizations encouraged to attend August 6 workshop to learn guidelines, timeline, and process.
2019 Becky Skillman Regional Leadership Award: NSWC Crane
The innovation ecosystem flourishing around Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane. It’s the result of NSWC’s intentional investment, outreach, and development of strategic partnerships with industry, academia, nonprofits, and other federal labs.
2019 Pathway Innovation Award: White River Valley Precision Machining
In a region with many opportunities in advanced manufacturing, White River Valley's machining program lights a pathway to future prosperity.
Educator Boot Camp connects classrooms to careers
An externship experience that exposes teachers, counselors and school leaders to the wide variety of STEM-focused career opportunities in the Indiana Uplands.
2019 Talent Innovation Award: Lion Manufacturing
A student-run enterprise with transformative learning experiences
2019 Quality of Place Innovation Award: City of Huntingburg, Market Street Park
A new focal point for the potential of downtown Huntingburg.
2019 STEM Innovation Award: Paoli Junior-Senior High School Agriculture Department
Developing leaders through next-generation ag science & tech.
2019 Regional Collaboration Award: Shoals, Mitchell and Orleans Schools
In regionalism, the whole is more than the sum of its parts.
ROI Annual Report to the Region: Indiana’s Next Level Jobs Initiative
ROI was honored to welcome Danny Lopez, Chair of the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet, to deliver the keynote address at the Annual Report to the Region. Mr. Lopez’s presentation, titled “Pathways, Pipeline, & Partnership” showcased Governor Holcomb’s Next Level Jobs Initiative.
ROI Annual Report to the Region: What’s Next for Education & Workforce Programs
ROI’s experiential learning and career awareness programs help students understand the rich regional career opportunities and make informed choices about their pathways.
ROI Annual Report to the Region: State of Our Key Sectors
Three special guests from significant partner organizations gave reports on Indiana Uplands’ key industry sectors of life sciences, national security and defense, and advanced manufacturing.
ROI Annual Report to the Region: State of the Indiana Uplands
On April 18, hundreds of Hoosiers from all over Indiana Uplands and beyond gathered in French Lick for ROI’s third Annual Report to the Region.
Student-Run Businesses in the Indiana Uplands
Outside the classroom, high school students in Brown County & Loogootee, Indiana, are gaining real-world work experiences as employees, leaders, and entrepreneurs in student-run businesses.
ROI opens application for first round of Ready Communities implementation grants
Ready Communities grants to enhance quality of place and workforce attraction strategies in the Indiana Uplands Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI) has opened up applications for its first round of Ready Communities Implementation Grants for projects in counties that have completed a Quality of Place and Workforce Attraction Plan. Three rounds of funding will be available … Continue reading ROI opens application for first round of Ready Communities implementation grants
ROI announces launch of $3.5 million community grant program
The Ready Communities Initiative will provide counties and communities the resources necessary to strategically plan for, develop, and implement projects and programs that build quality of place, grow regional capacity for workforce development and attraction, and improve the attributes and amenities that make the Indiana Uplands a desirable place to live, work and play.
ROI awards Ready Schools grants to eleven school districts
Initiative aims to align school districts to the education and workforce needs of employers and industry in the Indiana Uplands.
ROI Educator Boot Camp: TASUS Corporation
On Thursday, regional K-12 educators toured TASUS Corporation. Headquartered in Bloomington, IN, TASUS Corporation is an advanced manufacturing facility supplying plastic molded components, decals and nameplates, and distributed products to the automotive and transportation markets.
ROI Educator Boot Camp: Singota Solutions
On Thursday, regional K-12 educators toured Singota Solutions in Bloomington, IN.
ROI Educator Boot Camp: CAP Group LLC
Regional K-12 educators visited CAP Group LLC in Bedford, Indiana on Tuesday.
ROI Educator Boot Camp: Cook Medical
ROI Educator Boot Camp Update: On Tuesday, regional teachers & educators visited Cook Medical in Bloomington, IN.
ROI Educator Boot Camp: TSC
ROI Educator Boot Camp Update: Today, regional teachers & educators visited Technology Services Corporation in Bloomington, IN.
ROI Educator Boot Camp: SAIC
ROI Educator Boot Camp Update: This morning, regional teachers & educators visited military contractor Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) at the East Gate Business & Tech Center in Bedford to learn about mechanical jobs available at the facility. Thank you to Tony Kestranek who provided information about some of the SAIC’s electrical efforts, including cable manufacturing … Continue reading ROI Educator Boot Camp: SAIC
ROI Educator Boot Camp kicks off at WestGate Academy
Twenty-three educators from Southwest Central Indiana school districts will get an insiders look at companies in the life sciences, defense, and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Regional Opportunity Initiatives Newsletter, February 2018
Subscribe to the ROI Newsletter. In this issue: CEO Update Save the date for the ROI Annual Report to the Region Occupational Needs Assessment underway Thank you to our sector partners! ROI education initiatives show impact in 2017 STEM Fellows tour IVY Tech labs, discover new ways to integrate technology in the classroom Former GM executive … Continue reading Regional Opportunity Initiatives Newsletter, February 2018
Crane Workplace Simulation Project gives students real-world STEM experiences
On Friday, January 23, Bloomfield High School hosted ROI to see this year’s Crane Workplace Simulation Project presentations. The semester-long program pairs volunteers from Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, with students to actively engage in projects that prepare them for what STEM-related careers are like. The Workplace Simulation Project was launched in the Bloomfield School … Continue reading Crane Workplace Simulation Project gives students real-world STEM experiences
Southwest Central Indiana schools awarded Lilly Endowment counseling grants
Three school districts and one charter school in Southwest Central Indiana were awarded grants from Lilly Endowment Inc. to implement strategies to strengthen school counseling programs for their students. Brown County Schools, Bloomington Project School, Monroe County Community School Corporation, and Orleans Community School Corporation were among 52 Indiana school corporations and charter schools selected … Continue reading Southwest Central Indiana schools awarded Lilly Endowment counseling grants
ROI welcomes Brian D. Blackwell as Director of Industry and Quality of Place Initiatives
Regional Opportunity Initiatives, Inc. (ROI) is proud to announce and welcome Brian D. Blackwell as Director of Industry and Quality of Place Initiatives.
Boot camp allows educators to explore work environments in advanced manufacturing, life sciences and defense industries
Externship program gives teachers opportunity to learn about careers in Southwest Central Indiana’s key industry sectors. Fifty-four educators from eight Southwest Central Indiana counties participated in a week-long Educator Boot Camp in June. Educators experienced work environments on site at regional industry employers in the advanced manufacturing, life sciences and national security and defense sectors. … Continue reading Boot camp allows educators to explore work environments in advanced manufacturing, life sciences and defense industries
ROI Awarded $134,000 Grant from DWD to Develop Information Technology Work-based Learning Opportunities
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) announced on Thursday that Regional Opportunity Initiatives, Inc. (ROI) and its regional partners have been awarded a Skill UP Indiana! grant of $134,228. The grant will be used to create internship opportunities across multiple industry sectors in Southwest Central Indiana. The outcome of such experiences … Continue reading ROI Awarded $134,000 Grant from DWD to Develop Information Technology Work-based Learning Opportunities
