PCRD has served as an Economic Development Administration University Center (EDA UC) in Indiana since 2005. We are thrilled to continue serving as an EDA UC for the next five years (2021-2026). Our proposal for the next five years is titled: “Accelerating Regional Development through Innovative Data Analysis, Collaboration, and Applied Research.”

Our goals, as an EDA UC, for the next five years will help plug some critical gaps in the state’s economic ecosystem, with special attention to areas experiencing economic distress:

Goal One

Strengthening the capacity of regions. Augment existing innovative data tools, insights, and visualizations as well as research data engagement strategies to identify the best ways to connect stakeholders with data and its value.

Goal Two

Diversifying the workforce and economy of regions. Meet with workforce stakeholders to develop a skills-based labor market and industrial cluster coordination, nurturing and acceleration resulting in inclusive economic growth.

Goal Three

Improving productivity and resiliency among regions. Better understand supply chains by expanding and adding value to a digital supply chain dataset and providing relevant training and capacity-building to use and maintain the dataset.

Of course, this would not be possible without partners. Here is a list of some of the partners we will be working with:

• Indiana Association of Regional Councils
• Indiana Economic Development Association
• Indiana Small Business Development Centers
• Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs
• Multiple Purdue University units including the Purdue Extension and the Dauch Center for the Management of Manufacturing Enterprises
• Ball State University