Dearborn Economic Development Organization Opens July 17

News Release

June 5, 2017

Media Contact:  John Browner

One Dearborn Board of Directors

Email: jbrowner@sycamoregas.com 

Phone: (812) 537-1921

Dearborn Economic Development Organization Opens July 17 

One Dearborn, the new Dearborn County Economic Development organization, will officially open for business on July 17.  The organization’s mission is to create a laser focus on economic development efforts through collaboration across the private sector, municipalities, the county and several non-profit organizations.  

One Dearborn has signed a lease agreement with Ivy Tech and its office will be located in the Ivy Tech Lakefront Campus on Industrial Drive in Lawrenceburg. This will facilitate more communication around workforce development at the heart of Ivy Tech’s Advanced Manufacturing training facility and where Indiana Work One offices are located as well. 

The Board of Directors is made up of private-sector investors. An active Advisory Group that includes representatives from each municipality, the county and other partners will provide feedback on strategy and priorities.

The Board of Directors has named John Browner, President of Sycamore Gas, as acting board chair, and Terri Randall as President and CEO. Randall is currently the Dearborn County Administrator and Economic Development Officer.  One Dearborn’s first priorities will be marketing and developing available sites and building inventory as well as building a business retention program that bridges important communication with existing businesses in Dearborn County. This will include creation of a new economic development website that is more responsive to the needs of site selectors and real estate developers. Also, One Dearborn plans to create educational programs for elected officials and others regarding best practices in economic development early in its operations.

“One Dearborn will be action-oriented and results-driven, focusing on business retention, attracting new business, addressing workforce problems and helping lead quality-of-place initiatives in conjunction with not-for-profit organizations such as the Dearborn County Chamber of Commerce, the Dearborn County Convention and Visitors Bureau, United Way and others,” Browner said.  “The possibility of a Port in Lawrenceburg, the new Amazon Prime Hub planned at CVG and the momentum that is occurring as the municipalities make strides on quality-of-place improvements to attract more residents to Dearborn County make this the right time to invest even more resources into economic development. We simply have to be prepared and  ready to take advantage of the opportunities ahead,” he said.

More than 20 local businesses – including utilities companies, healthcare, engineering, construction and other industries -- have committed more than $125,000 in financial support for One Dearborn.  Along with their partners in the municipalities, the county and the Convention and Visitors Bureau, One Dearborn plans to hit the ground running in the days ahead.