Welcome to Energize-ECI Regional Planning District
Founded in 2009, Energize-ECI Regional Planning District is a State designated (Indiana Regional Planning Commission statute IC-36-7-7) multi-county economic development and planning needs of Blackford, Delaware, Grant and Jay counties in East Central Indiana. The organization's scope of work is established by the State of Indiana and the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) and the participating counties.
The main goal of E-ECI Regional Planning District is to assist local governments with development needs. One of our annual requirements is to complete a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the District. This in-depth report assesses the issues and capital projects significant to communities of the four participating counties, rating them by priority, feasibility and economic impact to the region. The CEDS report maintains the District's eligibility for EDA funding, a major source of infrastructure grants. EDA grants require local matching funds and provide the most direct benefit to District communities. E-ECI Regional Planning District received over $4 million in grants and assistance was received in 2009.
The District's management of the CEDS report and related grant procurement is funded by $65,690.00 in county contributions calculated on a per capital basis. An EDA Planning Grant of $50,000 is pending. The District also receives fees from providing services such as grant research, grant writing, grant administration and technical assistance. Another important element of the EDA scope of work involves project development services relating to the needs of local government entities. E-ECI Regional Planning District maintains close, two-way contact with District community leaders to ensure a current awareness of their needs.
Populations of Energize-ECI Regional Planning District Counties
| Blackford County Delaware County Grant County Jay County | 13,189 115,419 68,847 21,514 218,969 |
Program / Services
The primary focus of E-ECI Regional Planning District is the identification and administration of CEDS based regional economic development projects. Since programs and services are related to the needs of the member counties of the District, and could include:
Economic Development
Community Development & Planning
Technical Assistance
Housing
Transportation
Specialized Programs
Community Development & Planning
Technical Assistance
Housing
Transportation
Specialized Programs
E-ECI Regional Planning District Professional Team
E. Roy Budd rbudd@energize-eci.org
Executive Director
Budd founded Energize-ECI, Inc., the parent organization for the District in 2005. Prior to that he founded Solutions, Inc, a workforce and economic development consulting firm based in Boston, MA. He is the former President/CEO of Opportunity, Inc. in Hampton Roads, VA, the Commonwealth's largest workforce development program.Budd holds BA and MA degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Master of Business Education degree from Virginia State University. He is a Certified Master Consultant from Business Retentions and Expansion International and holds certification from the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma. Budd has published articles on workforce and economic development.
Tom Farris tfarris@energize-eci.org
Project Coordinator
Farris assists with District operation, grant work and CEDS management. He served as project lead to establish the District, served as project lead for the development of an EB-5 Visa Regional Investment Center and other regional ED projects. Farris has worked as a consultant for Energize-ECI, Inc. since 2005. He holds a BS degree in marketing and economics from Ball State University, and has completed graduate work in marketing and economics. Farris is a 2009 graduate of the Economic Development Academy accredited by the International Economic Development Council. He has served in executive positions in the marketing communications and business development industries for more than four decades, a background he finds useful in managing economic development activities.
Contact Information
Energize-ECI Regional Planning District345 S. High St., (2nd floor, Ivy Tech/Fisher Campus Building)
P.O. Box 1912
Muncie, IN 47308-1912
Phone: 765.254.0116
Fax: 765.254.1450
Email: info@energize-eci.org
Website: www.energize-eci.org
E-ECI Regional Planning District Board Members
Officers
Chairman TBAVice Chairman TBA
Secretary TBA
Treasurer TBA
Executive Board
Above four Officers plus, 1 Member from each countyBlackford TBA
Delaware TBA
Grant TBA
Jay TBA
Additional Members from county's with populations over 50,000
Delaware TBA
Grant TBA
Plus Member Appointed by the Governor
Indiana Member TBA
Board Members
| County | Member | Appointed By |
| Blackford Co. | Bob O'Rourke Rob Cleveland Bill Hess Missy Shrock Tom Armstrong Mayor Dennis Whitesell Mayor Jim McPherson | County Commissioners County Commissioners County Commissioners County Commissioners County Council Hartford City Mayor Montpelier Mayor |
| Delaware Co. | Todd Donati Don Dunnuck Kevin Nemyer John Kelly Mayor Sharon McShurley TBA Rick Glaub Mike Murphy Joe Hardwick Randy Dunnuck Gloria Wells Danny Cox | County Commissioners Commissioners County Council County Surveyor Mayor of Muncie Town of Yorktown Town of Daleville Town of Gaston Town of Albany Town of Eaton Town of Selma |
| Grant Co. | Mark Bardsley Tresa Baker Lisa Crandall Mayor Wayne Seybold Mayor Larry Leach Robert Crouse Melbe Root TBA Bruce Long Tony Manry | County Commissioners County Council County Surveyor Mayor of Marion Mayor of Gas City Mayor Jonesboro Town of Fairmount Town of Swayzee Town of Upland Town of Van Buren |
| Jay Co. | Milo Miller Gerald Kirby Mayor Bruce Hosier Mayor Ron Hunt Jason Meinerdling Ralph Frazee Doug Stanley | County Commissioners County Council Mayor of Portland Mayor of Dunkirk Town of Bryant Town of Pennville Town of Redkey |