Networking, Education & Assessments

IMPA supports the continuing education and training of its member economic development directors and their staffs, as well as the assessment of the effectiveness of member ED programs.

• Economic Survival Boot Camp
  

  To help member communities grow and thrive, IMPA is offering a program to help community leaders embrace their areas' strengths and face their current challenges head-on. This program, the Economic Survival Boot Camp, is designed to give participating communities the tools and knowledge needed to address their individual circumstances.

  The Boot Camp is an intensive two-day workshop/retreat in which teams of community leaders work together to assess their individual community's status in the current economic climate and determine strengths, weaknesses and strategies for dealing with short-term issues, as well as forecasting for the future.

  Each camp is composed of teams of between six (6) and 10 people from up to six (6) communities at a time. Having done quite a bit of homework assigned prior to the camp, each team leaves the camp with four or five key action plans considered absolutely necessary for their community to address over the next 12 months. Early steps for implementing those actions are also identified. To keep teams on task, follow-up sessions are scheduled for six and 12 months after the camp.

• Economic Development for Elected Officials & Community Leaders
  

  IMPA sponsors a program to help educate local elected officials and community leaders on the importance of economic development efforts and their roles in successful ED programs. IMPA is currently working with the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns (IACT), member LEDOs and other affiliated organizations to develop the program.

• Economic Development "Mystery Shopper" Program
  

  IMPA has contracted with an experienced site selection consulting firm to assess member LEDOs responses and submissions to project leads and to assist members in enhancing their procedures, response tactics and marketing materials. This program includes personal feedback to each community via a phone consultation and a complete written report and analysis.

• Economic Development Website Reviews
  

  IMPA sponsors a program to assess members' ED websites and assist members in enhancing their online marketing and communication. This program includes a diagnostic check of the website and professional evaluation, as well as personal feedback by phone and a complete written analysis to each community regarding their sites and suggestions for improvement.

• IMPA LEDO Networking & Training Sessions
  

  IMPA sponsors several opportunities each year to allow member economic development staff the opportunity to share ideas and lessons with one another and to hear from experts in the field. The workshops are presented by recognized professional speakers, site selectors and authors in the field of economic and community development. Notification of these sessions will be sent when the sessions are scheduled.
  Topic suggestions for networking sessions and workshops are always welcome!

• LEDO Continuing Education
  

  IMPA representatives attend several workshops throughout the year. If you are interested in attending any of these events, please let the IMPA staff know. (More information on the programs will be distributed as it becomes available.)

• American Public Power Association (APPA) Economic Development & Strategic Marketing Workshop
• International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Annual Conference
• MidAmerica Economic Development Council (MAEDC) Competitiveness Conference

New Business Attraction

IMPA supports the efforts of its member communities to attract new business and enhance their local economies.

• Economic Impact Analysis Software
  

  IMPA has purchased and provided its member community economic development professionals with software able to assess the economic impact of potential company locations in their communities. This software is available to those who don't have a copy by contacting IMPA staff. Updates to the software will be implemented periodically based on changes in tax structures and other related issues. Technical support is available by contacting IMPA.

• Site & Building Database
  

  IndianaSitesandBuildings.com is home to IMPA's site and building database, designed to promote available properties in member communities to site selectors and businesses seeking facilities. The database in use is ProCure, one of the top-rated programs in the country. It is very important for member communities to regularly review the properties listed on the site and inform IMPA of any changes that need to be made.

• Advertising & Marketing
  

  IMPA participates in the State of Indiana's cooperative advertising effort to generate leads and drive economic development traffic to member communities. IMPA also works to drive traffic to www.IndianaSitesandBuildings.com in order to enhance marketing of available properties in member communities.

• Site Selector and Company Relationship Building Program
  

  IMPA is planning to sponsor trips allowing IMPA and member LEDOS to develop relationships with site selection consultants and company site selection representatives. Because site selectors are the gatekeepers between companies and communities in many cases, it is important to be known to those who might consider Indiana. More details will be distributed when final plans are made.

• Best Practices Benchmarking Program
  

  IMPA is also planning trips to Midwest communities and bringing speakers to IMPA that have had successful economic development track records so that IMPA and the LEDOs can learn from these communities' successes. Assessment of communities and needs are underway and more information will be sent when available.

Retention & Expansion

IMPA recognizes that retaining and nurturing relationships with large employers and large electric users across its members is the cornerstone to maintaining healthy local economies.

• Key Industry Relationship Assessment & Management Program
  IMPA is working with retention experts to enhance its relationship with existing industries. This program includes an inventory of major companies and employers across IMPA's member base and the coordination of targeted interviews to determine:
• The level of company satisfaction in the community
• Growth or potential cut-back plans
• Connections between established companies and related companies or suppliers in member communities; identification of potential "clusters."

Feedback will be provided to the respective member communities along with any recommendations to retain existing businesses, facilitate growth in existing companies and enhance communications with existing companies.

Economic Development Support Services

IMPA is dedicated to supporting and furthering the economic development efforts of its member communities. The following services are dedicated to that purpose.

• Aerial Photos
  IMPA sponsors aerial photography for economic development groups serving IMPA's member communities. Photos are taken by request on a seasonal basis.
• Economic Development Program & Project Support
  IMPA supports the marketing, communications, public relations, special events and other efforts of area economic development groups serving IMPA's member communities. For more information on forms of support and projects eligible, contact IMPA staff.