By Eliza Guion—
MUNCIE, IN—Forge Your Path, a talent attraction initiative from the East Central Indiana Regional Partnership, is proud to celebrate its three-year anniversary. Since its inception, the initiative has worked to transform the region, helping to promote an array of thriving communities and flourishing businesses, and a brighter future for all of East Central Indiana.
The initiative began when the region recognized its shared challenges: a consistent population decline, young talent leaving in search of greener pastures, apathy, and a general unawareness of the region’s untapped potential. As the region’s most pressing issues loomed, the East Central Indiana Regional Partnership proposed the idea that the region could achieve more by working collaboratively to target talent. In 2019, representatives from tourism bureaus, community foundations, higher education, healthcare, and economic development organizations from all nine counties came together to create the initiative, united by a vision of regional synergy. Forge Your Path was then launched in September 2020 with the goal of establishing a defined identity for East Central Indiana.
Forge Your Path stands as a testament to East Central Indiana’s promise, a lower cost of living compared to the national average, accessible education, safe neighborhoods, and a wealth of opportunities to create a life that matters.
Meet Tyler Crandall and Gus Goggin, the exuberant guides of the video. Photo provided.
“Attracting top-tier talent isn’t just a strategic advantage—it’s a necessity,” said Caitlin Hancock, Director of Administration & Marketing with the East Central Indiana Regional Partnership. “Talent attraction is a crucial tactic for communities and regions across the state. Our region recognized that need in 2020 and continues to share the message that East Central Indiana is the place for everyone to forge their own path.”
As the initiative celebrates its third year, it continues to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of the region. Over the past three years, Forge Your Path has reached thousands of people with strategies aimed at current residents, previous residents and visitors.
In collaboration with East Central Indiana businesses and organizations, Forge Your Path has released a unique video exploring the diverse opportunities and attractions in the region. Click the play button below to view the video.
Moving forward, Forge Your Path will keep growing and attracting those who seek a path filled with opportunities, affordability, and the chance to be part of a community that dreams, builds, and thrives together.
About Forge Your Path
Forge Your Path is a talent attraction initiative of the East Central Indiana Regional Partnership created to build pride and empowerment among ECI residents, improve talent attraction, empower people to foster change within their communities, improve the region’s amenities and quality of life, and to diversify and grow population.
About the East Central Indiana Regional Partnership
The East Central Indiana Regional Partnership is dedicated to fostering economic growth in the East Central Indiana nine-county region as the lead economic development marketing and business attraction organization. Through collaboration with local economic development organizations and the state’s lead agency – the Indiana Economic Development Corporation – ECIRP will work to attract new investment, support existing industries, and enhance the quality of life, place, and opportunity for all residents.
