About the Council

Our mission is to promote a vibrant, sustainable economy that attracts and empowers business growth and innovation in Grant County

OUR VISION: The Economic Growth Council serves as champions of collaboration and opportunity, leading the charge to make Grant County one of the best places to live, learn, and work.

Founded in 1985, the Grant County Economic Growth Council began as a group of industry leaders, bankers, educators, government officials, and medical professionals who sought to reinvigorate the community’s then- stagnant economy. The group created a plan to highlight the community’s strengths and market them to and through local, state, and national government agencies to attract new and local business development.

Since then, the Growth Council has continued to demonstrate success. It has been named a Top Ten Local Development Group by Site Selection magazine three times, it was identified as Indiana’s leader in plant expansion by a Conway Data Survey, and it was featured in a National League of Cities book for its retention efforts.

To this day, the Growth Council continues in its vision of serving as champions of collaboration and opportunity, leading the charge to make Grant County one of the best places to live, learn, and work.

Nearly $3 billion has been invested in Grant County as a result of the Growth Council’s efforts.

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Our Services

Supporting local business expansion and retention

Business Visits: We regularly visit with local businesses to gather current data, share resources, and assist in working toward their business goals.

Grant for Grads: Our down payment assistance program helps employers recruit skilled talent to Grant County.

Tax Abatement/TIF Financing Assistance: We work with local businesses to secure tax abatement and/or tax increment financing for business expansion or investment projects.

The Charm Grant: Our $1,000 matching grant supports high-impact visible improvement for local businesses.

Manufacturers Council: This quarterly lunch brings together local manufacturers for networking, support, and education.

Fostering the entrepreneurial environment

Grant County Local Business Resource Guide: Our ebook of resources for entrepreneurs in Grant County includes direct contacts, discounts, and free consulting sessions.

One-on-One Consulting: Growth Council staff members meet with local entrepreneurs one-on-one to provide business planning and networking assistance.

Revolving Loan Fund: Our Revolving Loan Fund, supported by a USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant, gives local entrepreneurs access to financial capital.

Building up and retaining a skilled workforce

Industry Showcase: This annual event educates high school students on employment and career opportunities in Grant County.

Grant for Grads: Our down payment assistance program helps employers recruit skilled talent to Grant County.

Job Postings: Each week, we feature local job postings on our website, Facebook page, and LinkedIn page to help employers find skilled talent.

Community Job Fair: Our recurring job fair, hosted at Marion Public Library, gives employers a chance to connect with local job seekers.

Links to Locals: Grant County residents volunteer to serve as “ambassadors,” connecting with prospective residents to provide first-hand insight on living and working in Grant County.

Attracting businesses to Grant County

RFI (Request for Information): The Growth Council staff will respond to official Requests for Information from site selectors and/or businesses, providing information on available buildings, sites, and utility hookups.

Recruitment Trips and Marketing Events: We regularly attend regional marketing events and participate in national recruiting trips, including to Turkey, Italy, Japan, China, and South Korea.

Site Consultant Forums: The Growth Council attends annual conferences to promote available sites and buildings in Grant County to site consultants.

Collaborating with local organizations and educational institutions

Downtown Development: We work closely with local organizations, assisting with downtown development planning, business recruitment, and event promotion.

Local Elected Officials Dinner: This quarterly dinner provides educational and networking opportunities for all Grant County elected officials.

Comprehensive Counseling Coalition: A coalition of Grant County educators, non-profits, and businesses that problem-solves, implements programming, and allocates funds received from Lilly Endowment’s $1 million Comprehensive Counseling Grant.

Diversity and Inclusion

Since its inception, the Growth Council has worked to bring investment to Grant County and develop our community as a great place to invest, live, and work. It is our mission “to promote a vibrant, sustainable economy that attracts and empowers business growth and innovation”—and this applies to all businesses and people.

As we reflect on our organization's past and future, the Growth Council staff and board of directors reaffirms our commitment to inclusion and diversity and rejects of all forms of racism and discrimination. We remain committed to actions not words.

Celebrating Black-Owned Businesses in Grant County