2025 Indiana Uplands Becky Skillman Regional Leadership Award: Denny Spinner

Posted on by Suzannah Couch

From serving as Huntingburg’s mayor to leading an organization dedicated to improving the lives of rural Hoosiers, Denny Spinner’s career is defined by his strong commitment to service. This dedication was honored by Regional Opportunity Initiatives on Feb. 18, when he was named the recipient of this year’s Becky Skillman Regional Leadership Award. Regional Opportunity … Continue reading 2025 Indiana Uplands Becky Skillman Regional Leadership Award: Denny Spinner

March 5: Indiana Uplands Small Scale Development Workshop

Posted on by Betsy Trotzke

Join us to learn how to pick a good development project and take the first steps to make it reality! At this small scale development workshop, our partners with Incremental Development Alliance will take a big picture view of neighborhood-based development to help attendees analyze what makes a good project, how a building makes money, … Continue reading March 5: Indiana Uplands Small Scale Development Workshop

STEM Fellows explore advanced manufacturing at Bedford General Motors plant

Posted on by Suzannah Couch

STEM Fellows received a firsthand look at how robotics are used in advanced manufacturing during a visit to the General Motors plant in the Indiana Uplands in January. Hands-on robotics learning kicked off the day, thanks to the Techpoint Foundation for Youth. In the afternoon, educators explored GM career pathways and witnessed robotics in action, … Continue reading STEM Fellows explore advanced manufacturing at Bedford General Motors plant

Uplander Stories: From Florida to Odon, couple chooses life in the Indiana Uplands

Posted on by Suzannah Couch

Holidays celebrated year-round with festive events, a stunning patchwork of golden fields and vibrant crops, rich culture at every turn, and a sense of community fostered by local businesses and churches. These are just a few reasons Macie Exley and her husband, Cody, packed up their life in Florida and embarked on an 800-mile journey … Continue reading Uplander Stories: From Florida to Odon, couple chooses life in the Indiana Uplands

READI 2.0 fueling Simtra BioPharma expansion in the Indiana Uplands

Posted on by Betsy Trotzke

The Indiana Uplands READI Steering Committee, ROI, and the IEDC have allocated READI 2.0 funding to support the expansion of Simtra BioPharma Solutions in Bloomington. Simtra is investing $250 million (including a $500,000 READI 2.0 allocation) on a new 150,000-square-foot facility that will expand the company’s sterile fill/finish manufacturing capabilities.

UpSkill: Where Are They Now? Owen Snyder

Posted on by Suzannah Couch

In celebration of National Apprenticeship Week, Nov. 17-23, Regional Opportunity Initiatives is excited to share the success stories of former UpSkill apprentices in our UpSkill: Where Are They Now? series. UpSkill, ROI’s youth apprenticeship program, connects students with local employers, providing valuable paid work-based learning opportunities and industry-recognized credentials that set them on the path … Continue reading UpSkill: Where Are They Now? Owen Snyder

UpSkill: Where Are They Now? Sophie McDuffee

Posted on by Suzannah Couch

In celebration of National Apprenticeship Week (Nov. 17-23), Regional Opportunity Initiatives is thrilled to highlight the success stories of former UpSkill apprentices in our UpSkill: Where Are They Now? series. UpSkill, ROI’s youth apprenticeship program, connects students with local employers, offering valuable paid work-based learning opportunities and industry-recognized credentials that set them on the path … Continue reading UpSkill: Where Are They Now? Sophie McDuffee

UpSkill: Where Are They Now? Ethan Scott

Posted on by Suzannah Couch

In celebration of National Apprenticeship Week, Nov. 17-23, Regional Opportunity Initiatives is excited to share the success stories of former UpSkill apprentices in our UpSkill: Where Are They Now? series. UpSkill, ROI’s youth apprenticeship program, connects students with local employers, providing valuable paid work-based learning opportunities and industry-recognized credentials that set them on the path … Continue reading UpSkill: Where Are They Now? Ethan Scott

Officials cut ribbon on multi-use Commons venue in downtown Washington

Posted on by Betsy Trotzke

Officials in Daviess County and the city of Washington set the stage for continued revitalization and renewal of the Daviess County region with the official ribbon-cutting of the $3.1 million Commons facility on November 8. “The city of Washington has already taken several steps toward an energized downtown, and this formal ribbon-cutting will accelerate that movement right in the heart of the city,” said Washington Mayor David Rhoads.

READI 2.0 investments take off in Indiana Uplands Region with new $45 million Regional Wellness Center

Posted on by Betsy Trotzke

The new 90,000-square-foot facility will be constructed on 10 acres adjacent to the Parklands and Jasper High School, with plans currently including a large fitness center, four full-court gymnasiums, an indoor aquatic center, an indoor walking track, group exercise studios, and community rooms, including a community kitchen.