News

2025 Indiana Uplands Diversity Innovation Award: ALASI

Posted on by Suzannah Couch

ALASI’s dedication and commitment to creating a stronger and more connected community for all was honored with this year’s Indiana Uplands Diversity Innovation Award. ALASI’s board President Christian Blome, and his fellow board members accepted the award. during the Regional Opportunity Initiatives Annual Report to the Region on Feb. 18 in French Lick.  Regional Opportunity … Continue reading 2025 Indiana Uplands Diversity Innovation Award: ALASI

2025 Indiana Uplands Regional Collaboration Award: Federal Lab Technology Transfer for Beginners

Posted on by Suzannah Couch

This year’s Indiana Uplands Regional Collaboration Award winners brought a team together to create a free, multi-part online course to catalyze engagement between the Department of Defense and small businesses. Regional Opportunity Initiatives Vice President for Economic and Community Development Julie Halbig, ROI Board of Directors President Doug Kellams, and ROI's Vice President of Talent … Continue reading 2025 Indiana Uplands Regional Collaboration Award: Federal Lab Technology Transfer for Beginners

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.