As the Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance launches its next economic development initiative on the heels of the successful Vision 2006 campaign, Ball State faculty and staff will again lend their expertise to the initiative, said Ball State President Jo Ann M. Gora.

"As the community works to foster, grow and attract the knowledge-based businesses that are driving the 'new economy,' Ball State is poised to work in tandem with other entities in Muncie and Delaware County, ensuring that education and training available from all resources are leveraged to the community's greatest advantage."

The Vision 2011 goals include improving wages, bringing more jobs to the area and ensuring that Muncie and Delaware County become recognized nationally for excellence in free enterprise, small government, superior education and quality of life.

Vision 2011 builds on the successes of the Vision 2006 program, which has resulted in the projected creation of 2,146 new jobs, more than $63 million in new payroll and $325 million in new capital investment to the community, according to Terry Murphy, vice president of economic development at the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce.

Ball State's involvement in Vision 2006 has been significant. For example, more than 25 percent of the individuals serving on the Vision 2006 Community Technology Initiative committees are from Ball State. In addition, two vice presidents, one dean and a senior faculty member were on the executive committee for the initiative.

Some of the major businesses recruited as a result of the community economic development efforts include Diamond Plastics, Save-A-Lot, MPT-Muncie, Keihin Aircon North America, U.S. Ethanol Holdings LLC and Sallie Mae.

"The objectives of Vision 2011 are aimed at raising the bar substantially," Murphy said. "We've set and adopted goals that seek to improve wages, increase the number of high-skill, high-pay and advancement jobs and work to develop a community that is attractive to knowledge-based businesses, which in turn will enhance our overall quality of life."

Vision 2011 aims to increase economic diversity by:

• Expanding and retaining existing businesses
• Attracting new businesses and expanding the area's tax base
• Recruiting and retaining technology- and knowledge-based industries and workers
• Promoting the medical community at the destination point for health care in East Central Indiana
• Promoting agri-business as a way to diversify the local economy and provide new opportunities for the region's farming industry
• Creating more downtown development, including $32 million in new private investment
• Coordinating community and regional resources to generate economic growth
• Promoting a positive quality of life
• Strengthening workforce education

The alliance includes representatives of the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, Delaware Advancement Corporation, Muncie Redevelopment Commission, Delaware County Redevelopment Commission, Muncie Economic Development Commission and Delaware County Economic Development Commission.

For more information, contact Pat Davis, Vision 2011 campaign coordinator, at (765) 749-0169.

By Mardee Roberts