Ball State University's Center for Economic and Community Development (CECD) marked its 20th anniversary by being honored with a statewide award.

The CECD, founded in 1984, received the Outstanding Plan Award for Excellence in Planning from the Indiana Planning Association for the center's Elkhart County Horizon Project. The project, a collaborative effort with Koehn Consulting and the Hudson Institute, is a comprehensive plan addressing key issues affecting the region's economic vitality and its residents' quality of life.

"The leadership by the citizens of Elkhart County should be commended for undertaking such an extensive planning project," said Elaine Fisher, CECD director. "Few communities enter into such a broad planning program."

The Horizon Project, which took 18 months to complete, sets goals for business retention, creation and attraction. It also lays out a plan for redevelopment, tourism and workforce development, P-12 education, land use, government coordination and social services.

Specifically, the project has helped Elkhart County and its major cities of Goshen and Elkhart develop avenues to rebuild a thriving community. Detailed goals have been set to:

• Invest in an infrastructure of innovation that builds locally owned businesses.
• Build a foundation for sustainable development.
• Create a highly skilled workforce to keep and attract technology-rich businesses.
• Build a creative, effective system of government.
• Get community members to accept the need for change, take responsibility for present and future conditions, and adopt a proactive mindset.

"The planning process was championed by Bill Johnson, past CEO of Goshen Rubber," Fisher said. "Now, what the plan needs is a champion to implement each aspect. With so many committed individuals in Elkhart County, I'm certain people will step up to help make the plan a reality." 

(Note to Editors: For more information, contact Fisher at (765) 285-1664 or efisher@bsu.edu.)