Recognizing the Best of the Indiana Uplands
The Indiana Uplands Regional Innovation Awards highlight the amazing people, groups, and organizations working to make the region a terrific place to work, live, learn, and play! Join us in helping to recognize deserving people, groups, and organizations that have made meaningful improvements to education, workforce, economic development, and/or quality of place within the 11 counties of the Uplands region. Award winners were recognized at the Regional Opportunity Initiatives’ Annual Report to the Region on Oct. 2 at French Lick Resort.
2026 Award Winners
Becky Skillman Regional Leadership Award: Jeff Quyle
The Becky Skillman Regional Leadership Award recognizes an individual or organization that has shown uncommon dedication to bringing the Indiana Uplands region together in pursuit of regional success and prosperity. Read more about this year’s winner.
Regional Collaboration Award: Fire Science Academy
The Regional Collaboration Award recognizes two or more organizations that have worked collaboratively to advance prosperity for residents of the Uplands region through education, economic, or quality of place efforts. Read more about this year’s winner.
Regional Welcoming Award: Southwest Dubois County Schools Dual Language Immersion
The Regional Welcoming Award will honor individuals or organizations that have implemented innovative strategies to attract and/or retain diversity or newcomers in the regional workforce. Read more about this year’s winner.
Employer Innovation Award: CRAFTED by OFS and Hub 19
The Employer Innovation Award recognizes an Indiana Uplands employer that seeks creative solutions to talent and workforce development challenges, supports the success of key regional sectors, and exemplifies meaningful partnerships with K-12 schools, postsecondary institutions, and/or other employers. Read more about this year’s winners. Read more about this year’s winners.
Quality of Place Innovation Award: Court Street Commons
The Quality of Place Innovation Award recognizes projects and meaningful community improvements that enhance the Indiana Uplands as an inventive, industrious, and friendly place to live, work, and play. Read more about this year’s winner.
Talent Innovation Award: WestGate@Crane Summer Intern Program
The Talent Innovation Award recognizes an entity that has designed and deployed an innovative strategy for improving our regional workforce through training, skill advancement, or talent attraction to the Indiana Uplands. Read more about this year’s winner.