elcome to the launch of Grow Michiana eNews.  This newsletter will focus on regional economic growth, and there is much food for thought in this first issue.  These news stories have a common thread connecting them:  To realize a fabulous idea—economic growth throughout an entire geographic region—participants should, first and foremost, build good relationships with business executives. 

Moreover, a trend emerges in reviewing these articles:  Michiana's economic developers should view their activites in selling the Northern Indiana-Southwestern Michigan region in the same competitive bright lights as do business leaders in selling products and services.   This development approach not only is strongly advocated by experts from ExecutivePulse, Inc. but it also is being practiced with passion by organizations throughout the United States and the world. 

I hope you enjoy Grow Michiana eNews, which will be a regular feature of this web site.  And I hope you might find a few nuggets of information here that will help in your own efforts to build good relationships with Michiana business leaders so that companies already here stay put—and future job growth also occurs here.  

Yours truly,

Juan Manigault,
President and Chief Executive Officer,
Northern Indiana Workforce Investment Board, Inc., and
member of the Grow Michiana Coalition.

Grow Michiana's Mission: Support and Expand the Regional Economy by Building Relationships with Business Executives
Accomplishing Business Retention Goals Will Drive Two-state Initiative
Go to Story.

New Global Economic Realities Mandate that Regional Organizations Join Hands and Compete Together, Federal Official Says
WIRED Initiative Seeks To Foster Competition among U.S. Regions
Go to story.

Each of 13 Regional Organizations Will Receive
$15 Million over Three Years
WIRED Grants Total $195 Million
Go to story.

ExecutivePulse Officials Urge Michiana Outreach Professionals To Act Like Private-Sector CEOs
Private-Sector Approach Works Wonders in Retaining Businesses
Go to story.

MIT Leads International Research Effort Seeking
New Models for Industrial Growth
Key to Success:  Innovations with Products, Processes and Services
Go to story.          

Industrial Companies Could Locate Solutions to
Business-Central Problems by Aligning with
University Research Centers
Company Champions Can Steer Dollars to Essential Research
Go to story.

Workforce Innovations Conference Plans To Delve into Tools To Boost Regional U.S. Economies
Leaders from Various Organizations Will Discuss Strengthening Workforces
Conference is July 11-13, 2006, in Anaheim, Calif.  Go to conference web site at:  www.workforceinnovations.org/.