Warren County official reports Washington meetings, federal grant contacts and a local marketing campaign

The county's economic development presenter (S2) reported from a recent trip to Washington, D.C., saying the delegation met with Sen. Todd Young’s staff, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and regional partners to discuss manufacturing projects, workforce development and federal grant opportunities.

"The connections that John and I are able to make through Purdue and Greater Rock did commerce, and also, you know, manufacturing jobs," the presenter (S2) said, describing outreach intended to position Warren County to compete for federal resources. The presenter said a regional staffer, Diane Powell (identified in the transcript as Sen. Todd Young’s regional director), encouraged the county to contact her for help with federal grant applications.

S2 said the county will begin coordinating with the Small Business Development Center and town clerks to explore training and class offerings that could be delivered locally rather than remotely, and described a planned marketing campaign (funding under a Duke Energy-related grant referenced in the discussion) to promote local businesses and attractions. The presenter also referenced a grant through a utility association for a feasibility study to be completed by the end of the summer.

Why it matters: the outreach points to active county efforts to seek federal and regional support for workforce development and business attraction. If grants are secured, staff said the county could gain additional resources for training, infrastructure or marketing.

Next steps: the presenter said meetings with local partners and the Small Business Development Center will proceed over the coming weeks and that a feasibility study report is expected by late summer.