The Indiana Association for Community Economic Development (IACED), an NLIHC state partner, hosted its 30th Anniversary Celebration at the annual Prosperity Indiana Summit on November 14. The organization revealed its new brand identity, Prosperity Indiana, at the event.
Founded in 1986 as IACED, Prosperity Indiana is a statewide organization that supports a network of organizations building vital communities and resilient families through community economic development. The organization advocates for public policies and assists its network in developing comprehensive solutions that engage local leadership to generate private and public investment.
“Community economic development is and always has been about prosperity development that focuses on people, places, and opportunity. Prosperity Indiana’s work champions this convergence. The new brand calls all Hoosier neighbors to engage in creating vibrant places and resilient families,” said Rachel McIntosh, chairperson for the communications committee that led the re-branding efforts and vice president of community development banking at PNC, a platinum sponsor of the Prosperity Indiana Summit.
The summit featured a number of expert panelists who discussed issues in two content areas: policymaking and placemaking for building resilient families and vital communities. Panelists in the policymaking track included Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute President John Ketzenberger; Ed Feigenbaum, leader of INGroup, a firm specializing in information about Indiana state politics and government; and Indiana State Senators Ron Grooms (R-Jeffersonville) and Doug Eckerty (R-Muncie). Other panelists included representatives of Prosperity Indiana, Ice Miller LLP, the Indiana Philanthropy Alliance, Brightpoint, Indiana Legal Services, and the Jewish Community Relations Council.
The second track focusing on placemaking featured national and statewide experts. Huntington Mayor Brooks Fetters discussed his community’s economic development and stakeholder activation strategies. Other panelists included representatives of the Harrison Center for the Arts; the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan, an NLIHC state partner; the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs; the Indiana University Public Policy Institute; the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority; the Eyedart Creative Studio; Rundell Ernstberger Associates; and the Big Car Collaborative.
“For 30 years, IACED’s work has meant focusing on the key assets of local people and mobilizing collective action to advance local places and our state. The new brand, Prosperity Indiana, better embodies the comprehensive work we deliver to strengthen Indiana communities," said Executive Director Andy Fraizer.
For more information, contact Andy Fraizer at: afraizer@prosperityindiana.org.