MUNCIE, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Commerce will open its Region 8 office in Ball State University’s Carmichael Hall, another step in Lt. Governor Joe Kernan’s effort to modernize the department.

"This regional approach is a bold change to the way we attract and keep quality businesses,” Kernan said. "It is arguably the biggest
undertaking in the agency's history, and we're confident that it will
pay off with more good jobs for Hoosiers."

The office will serve Blackford, Jay, Delaware, Randolph, Henry and
Wayne counties and provide a one-stop shop for the region’s economic activities.

“We’re excited about having the regional office here to help with the
economic development efforts for all of East Central Indiana,” said
Beverley Pitts, provost of Ball State University. “Our Center for
Economic and Community Development will work closely with the regional office to assist with business and community development.”

The DoC will occupy two offices at Ball State at no charge. The
university will also provide furniture, parking spaces, and access to
its telecommunications infrastructure. But more important, the two
entities will be sharing a common goal, said Frank Sabatine, dean of
the School of Extended Education.

“It’s a natural fit for the Department of Commerce to be housed at Ball
State, especially since we have so many resources to assist with economic and community education and development,” Sabatine said.
“Taking a regional approach is certainly a practical way to help the
entire state’s overall economic development.”

University officials will be able to provide background information to
help their new neighbors become more familiar with the region. They
will also introduce DoC personnel to faculty who have experience with
certain communities or who have specific areas of expertise, Sabatine
added.

Focusing on enhancing regions rather than individual communities will
help sharpen Indiana’s and the university’s community development
efforts, said Elaine Fisher, director of the Center for Economic and
Community Development.

The center, established in 1984 by the Indiana General Assembly as a statewide public service unit of Ball State, expects to work actively
with the DoC to help provide economic develop assistance to the
region.

“We believe in the regional plan — taking development and services to local officials,” Fisher said.

(Note to Editors: For more information, contact Sabatine at (765) 285-8167 or fsabatin@bsu.edu.)