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Regional Economic Summit

Over 1,040 community leaders and residents from all across Northeast Indiana shared their visions for the future.

Vision 2020 Regional Economic Summit, held at the Grand Wayne Center in Fort Wayne on June 23, sought broad input from the entire region. And that's what it got. 

See the full presentation and results voting here:

Vision 2020 Regional Economic Summit

Read the Twitter conversation here: #beoutrageous

A SENSE OF URGENCY
Since 1995, Northeast Indiana has experienced a 15 percent decrease in per capita income compared to the nation overall. According to the latest statistics, Northeast Indiana workers are earning nearly 20 percent less than the national average. How much further will the trend line fall before we take action? When will we have a sense of urgency?

LEADERS
Mike Packnett, President and CEO of Parkview Health, and Keith Busse, President and CEO of Steel Dynamics, are leading a group of community representatives from across business, education, government and foundation sectors to develop a compelling and actionable vision for the ten-county Northeast Indiana region. At the conclusion of Vision 2020, we will have a clear and unifying vision for the future, shared regional priorities and accountability, plans with specific strategies and tactics, and an attitude of passion and urgency to see the vision to action.

THE PROCESS
Vision 2020 is a six-month process of community engagement. From in depth interviews to regional outreach meetings, to focus groups and a regional economic summit, Vision 2020 will individually touch hundreds, if not thousands, in Northeast Indiana. Insight gathered from surveys and conversations will allow Vision 2020 to understand the significant assets of the region, and what’s missing, and how to best use that information to move forward. 

The power of a vision

Right now, we have government entities, not-for-profits, educators and businesses working on important initiatives, projects, missions, and strategies that are meaningful and well intentioned. Yet, our collective actions as a region have not produced sustained results.  We lack a specific target to focus and align our actions. With a clear vision for the future, our opportunity to achieve quantifiable, sustained progress is much improved.

“We must change the story we tell about ourselves”

Northeast Indiana has long and rich history for innovation and entrepreneurship. And yet, we may not describe ourselves in this way. If we’re not telling a compelling story about ourselves, how can we expect others outside the region to understand our full potential? Vision 2020 won’t change our past but it will position us to leverage our strengths and assets as a region to achieve long term success.