By Andi Anderson
The I-74 Business Corridor in Indiana, in collaboration with the Indiana Economic Development Association and the Purdue Center for Regional Development (PCRD), has released the Interstate 74 Regional Agriculture Strategy. This document and work plan aim to provide a roadmap for businesses, farmers, entrepreneurs, and leaders in the region to strengthen the agricultural economy and adapt to future changes.
Funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration, along with local contributions from economic development organizations in six Indiana counties (Dearborn, Decatur, Franklin, Ripley, Rush, and Shelby) and the City of Batesville, the I-74 Ag Strategy seeks to forge stronger connections between economic development and agriculture.
The strategy and work plan were developed through the Rural Economic Development Model (REDM) with guidance from Connie Neininger of CN Consulting and PCRD. Over three years, economic developers studied data to identify major agricultural assets and plan to attract value-added agriculture, including agribusiness and food-processing facilities, and their supply chains, that align with the region's capacity, vision, and needs.
Key strategies identified in the I-74 report include:
Developing a strong labor force for the agricultural industry, including programs to attract next-generation agricultural workers, promote workforce diversity, and help various cultures integrate into the workforce and community.
Expanding the food supply chain to better connect with consumers and assisting farmers in selling products to schools through diversification workshops.
Supporting beginning farmers and military veteran farmers to improve the local, small-scale, and niche food supply chain.
Increasing production and value-added processing of crops and livestock.
Expanding distillery, whiskey, and wood milling industries in the region.
Enhancing crop and livestock diversification, regional meat processing, hemp processing, cold storage warehousing capacity, and the availability of commercial kitchens and co-packing facilities.
Improving the region's transportation, broadband, and energy infrastructure, including evaluating solar and biomass energy opportunities.
Enhancing the regulatory and policy environment for agriculture and agribusiness, including the development of local and state incentives and streamlining regulatory processes.
The I-74 Business Corridor in Indiana spans 80 miles, providing businesses with access to a vast consumer market of over 115 million people and easy connections to interstates in all directions. The region offers over 6,000 acres across various sites and 50 available buildings, making it a favorable location for businesses of all types and sizes. The I-74 Business Corridor partners include various organizations involved in economic development and infrastructure improvement.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-jacqueline-nix
Categories: Indiana, Business, Crops, Energy, Livestock