Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI) is launching a regional grant fellowship cohort to support and develop a network of grant writers in the Indiana Uplands.
ROI Launching Grant Fellowship Program
News
Using Residential Tax Increment Financing Districts to Create Housing in YOUR Community
Join us May 19 for the next session in the Indiana Uplands Housing Series!
Applications Open for Inaugural Career Coaching Fellowship
The inaugural cohort will participate in a 10-month fellowship focused on the development of authentic career connections and articulated pathways that lead to high opportunity and high wage jobs.
STEM Fellows Nominations Open
Nominations for the 2021-2022 STEM Fellowship cohort close Friday, April 9th.
Indiana Uplands Housing Series: Creating a Livable Community – What’s in Your Toolbox?
Join us March 24 for the next session in the Indiana Uplands Housing Series!
Ready to Launch: The Launching Center is Eager to Welcome Teens & Prepare Them for STEM Careers
The Launching Center is ready to Launch, and the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence County is eager to welcome teens into a reimagined space that will provide transformative learning opportunities.
Unlikely Developer Becomes Catalyst for Downtown Spencer Revitalization
What started as one man's way of generating retirement income is bringing a small downtown back to life.
Orleans Digital Fabrication Lab: Reimagining Learning Through Making
The Dawgs Den is a digital fabrication lab at Orleans High School, one of three installed across the Collaboration of Shoals, Mitchell, & Orleans Schools (COSMOS) in 2020.
A New Nationally Recognized Model is Bringing Creative Financing to the Indiana Uplands
In 2019, ROI awarded a Ready Communities grant to CDFI Friendly Bloomington. In its first year, it has generated valuable partnerships with CDFIs and a pipeline of potential projects in the Indiana Uplands region.
ROI Housing Series: Multi-Family and Single Family Residential Pro Forma Workshops
We’ve added two new sessions to the Indiana Uplands Housing Series!
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.
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.
ROI awards $1.2 million Ready Schools grant to MCCSC
ROI has awarded a $1.2 million Ready Schools implementation grant to Monroe County Community School Corporation.
ROI awards $750,000 in Ready Schools implementation grants
Linton-Stockton School Corporation, Richland Bean-Blossom Community School Corporation, and White River Valley School District have each been awarded a $250,000 Ready Schools implementation grant.
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 extends timeline for third round of Ready Communities implementation grants
ROI is happy to share that we have extended the timeline for organizations to apply for Round 3 of the Ready Communities Implementation Grant Program.
March 17 Grant Workshop Canceled
A Message from Regional Opportunity Initiatives: IMPORTANT NOTICE: The ROI Ready Communities, Round III Grant Workshop scheduled for March 17 has been canceled (both the live workshop and the Zoom virtual meeting). In response to changing circumstances and potential spread of COVID-19, we understand that many priorities have changed for members of our communities. We … Continue reading March 17 Grant Workshop Canceled
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.
Photo Gallery: ROI Annual Report to the Region
Thanks to all who attended the ROI Annual Report to the Region on April 18! We hope you enjoy photos from the day!
Announcing the Indiana Uplands Regional Innovation Award Winners
Regional Collaboration Award Mitchell Community Schools in Lawrence County Orleans Community Schools in Orange County Shoals Community Schools in Martin CountyQuality of Place Innovation Award City of Huntingburg Market Street ParkSTEM Innovation Award Paoli High School Agriculture DepartmentPathway Innovation of the Year White River Valley High School Precision Machining ProgramTalent Innovation Award Loogootee Community Schools … Continue reading Announcing the Indiana Uplands Regional Innovation Award Winners
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
April 18: ROI Annual Report to the Region
Employers, educators, community leaders, economic development organizations, workforce development professionals, and nonprofits are gathering April 18 at the French Lick Resort Event Center for ROI’s third Annual Report to the Region. This event is free and open to the public.April 18: ROI Annual Report to the RegionFrench Lick Resort Event Center • 9:00–11:00 ROI's Annual … Continue reading April 18: ROI Annual Report to the Region
ROI invites Indiana Uplands residents to participate in housing survey
ROI encourages interested citizens to share their impressions and opinions about the current housing market in the Indiana Uplands.
