Leadership LaGrange 2022 - 2023 Concludes

Last week brought the conclusion of the LCEDC facilitated six month leadership program, Leadership LaGrange County. The program ran from October 2022 through March 2023 and marks the second year of the programs reimagination and re-establishment in the county. This year’s program was unique in that it was fully led and taught entirely by leaders from LaGrange County.

Twelve students attended LLC 2022/2023 from various working backgrounds in the county. Topics of the six sessions included Gallup CliftonStrengths led by Jenny Landez (LaGrange County) and Jason Shackow (Lakeland School Corporation); Change Leadership led by Jamelle Godlewski (Lead & Impact); The Ideal Team Player led by Renea Boots (Farmers State Bank); Crucial Conversations led by Sara Patrick (LaGrange County Chamber of Commerce); Working Professionally Across Cultural Differences led by Britney Schori (Purdue Extension); and Start with Why led by Keith James (Indigo Web Services, Keith James Photography).

Additionally, several panel discussions led by local leaders including politicians, business owners and non-profit professionals took place. Students were given a platform and opportunity to speak candidly with these local leaders and ask questions openly while learning about different programs and roles our community leaders fill. Participants also brainstormed several community projects they will continue working on in the coming months. Planning for Leadership LaGrange County 2023/2024 is underway with the program’s mission to identify, train, prepare and inspire community engagement and development, and economic growth and development throughout LaGrange County at the forefront of those efforts. Enrollment for this years programming will begin in August

From left to right - Mary Woodworth, Chris Miller, Steve Sherck, Jamie Fennell, Erin Brady, Jenny Landez, Emilee Fincher, Shalawanda Washington, and Meggan Cox. Not pictured - Hannah Baughman, Shannon Harman, and Brittany Gilger.

ConnectHER Conference

It is with great pleasure we share the news about the 2023 ConnectHER Conference, hosted by the LaGrange County Chamber of Commerce! On March 22nd, women from all around LaGrange County will gather together at the BlueGate Garden Inn for a day of connecting.

With a focus on women supporting women: please join us for the inaugural ConnectHER Conference in LaGrange County! Open to women every where and absolutely worth the drive, this connecting event is all about the powerful women we live and work around - business owners, managers, CEOs, employees, stay-at-home moms, and more! If you're a woman, and you're leading your tribe, this event is for you! Be challenged by keynote speakers, dive deep into topics with break-out facilitators, and hear from a panel of local women leaders who are making a difference. The question is...are you ready to be connected? Register at the link below - we will see you there!

Cost:

Chamber Members - $40

Non-Members - $55

CALLING ALL EMPLOYERS!

Coming to Michiana Event Center on Tuesday, April 18th, 2023 - The Field of Dreams Career Expo - a tradeshow-style, baseball-themed event to feature your business or organization hosted by Northern Indiana Educational Service Center in collaboration with The LaGrange County Chamber of Commerce. The event seeks to create a space for students to DREAM about career opportunities available to them right here in LaGrange County, what jobs they can snag for summer vacation, to make internship connections, and to learn about what opportunities are available to make their biggest dreams come true. Over 1,600 students in grades 7-12 representing Lakeland, Prairie Heights, and Westview will be at the MEC to explore and understand what careers are offered in LaGrange County. If you are interested in attending, please register for the event below. Registration closes Friday, March 31. If you have any questions contact Shannon Harman at 260-499-0638.

Manufacturing Readiness Grants - Applications Open

Conexus Indiana is a non-profit organization in Indiana with a mission to accelerate Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics industry success by engaging a diverse network of industry, academic, philanthropic, and public-sector partners aligned and

activated around a unified vision. Conexus works with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) and Next Level Manufacturing Institute to help manage the Manufacturing Readiness Grants program in the state. The program was originally launched as part of the IEDC’s Economic Activity Stabilization and Enhancement (EASE) program and was extended through a new appropriation from the Indiana General Assembly. By encouraging private sector investments, these grants have already made a substantial impact—and have helped set the stage for future innovation and growth in AML throughout the state. Manufacturing Readiness Grants assist manufacturers planning to make innovative capital investments in smart manufacturing within their Indiana operations—leveraging technologies from advanced communications to cobots to the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and beyond.So far, 398 Manufacturing Readiness Grants have been made to businesses across the state. For more information, or to apply, please follow the below link. Please feel free to contact our office with questions.