MUNCIE – DELAWARE COUNTY, IN – At a retirement reception at the Horizon Convention Center in Muncie IN, Terry Murphy, CEcD, Vice President of Economic Development, was presented with the Sagamore of the Wabash.
The award is the highest honor that the Governor of Indiana bestows. It is a personal tribute usually given to those who have rendered a distinguished service to the state or to the governor. Among those who have received Sagamores have been astronauts, presidents, ambassadors, artists, musicians, politicians, and ordinary citizens who have contributed greatly to Hoosier heritage.
According to Indiana history, Native American tribes used the term “sagamore” to describe “a lesser chief or a great man among the tribe to whom the true chief would look for wisdom and advice.” To honor this history, in the 1940’s, Gov. Ralph Gates created an award to honor that tradition titled the “Sagamore of the Wabash.
The honor was supported by State Senator Tim Lanane and was presented on behalf of Governor Mike Pence by State Senator Doug Eckerty.
“It has been an honor to work for this organization and community. I have been so fortunate to have had an opportunity to work with such dynamic, committed, civic-minded board members, co-workers, and business, community, and government leaders. Working in partnership with these individuals and groups has allowed us to achieve the successes we have experienced.” —Terry Murphy.
Terry Murphy came to the Muncie-Delaware County, IN Economic Development Alliance in 1991 and worked to develop and initiate the Horizon and Vision programs, the five-year, community-based, comprehensive economic development plans for Muncie-Delaware County. Murphy worked to execute an aggressive business attraction, expansion, and retention effort that helped attract, among others, Fortune 500 companies such as Sallie Mae/Navient, Progress Rail, Save-A-Lot/Super Value, and IBM/Concentrix, along with international companies Magna Powertrain, Brevini, and Keihin Aircon North America.
One of Terry’s many accomplishments —The Progress Rail Plant on Cowan Road. Photo by: Mike Rhodes
During his tenure, Murphy led various economic development and public/private initiatives. Murphy developed the community’s highly-successful shell building program, established three revolving loan funds, facilitated the formation of numerous Tax Increment Finance districts to address infrastructure and capital needs for major economic development projects, led the formation of two Community Revitalization Enhancement Districts to encourage investment in old industrial site areas, and assisted in the creation of Muncie’s Certified Technology Park. Additionally, Murphy assisted local companies in obtaining tens of millions of dollars in job training grants, state tax credits, and investment tax credits.
Sagamore of the Wabash
Most recently, Murphy spearheaded the regional effort in the development of the ADVANCE Regional Development Plan. This six-county initiative identified transformational projects for the region and outlined regional solutions to quality of life issues that directly relate to the attraction and retention of talent.
“We express thanks to Terry for his exemplary work with the Alliance for the last 25 years,” said Jay Julian, President/CEO, Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance and Chamber of Commerce. “Terry is consistently recognized as one of the top economic development practitioners in the State of Indiana, and he is highly regarded by corporate site selection professionals all over the nation. For decades, he has led some of the most important economic development initiatives in Muncie-Delaware County, always doing so with the highest standard of integrity and commitment. Terry’s positive impact on Muncie-Delaware County will continue to be evident for many years to come,” added Julian.
About the Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance
The Alliance (EDA) represents a consortium of economic development entities dedicated to the growth and prosperity of Muncie-Delaware County, Indiana. Our purpose is to allocate and leverage economic development resources to sustain and enhance the economic growth, vitality and global competitiveness of Muncie-Delaware County as a superior business location. Services include site location assistance, retention and expansion of existing businesses, and customized research for business prospects considering Muncie-Delaware County, Indiana.
The EDA is one of only 43 organizations to earn accreditation from the International Economic Development Council and serves as the longest standing accredited economic development organization in the US & Canada.
The EDA’s administrative entities are Delaware Advancement Corporation (DAC) and the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce. For additional information, please visit muncie.com.
