HISTORY
The Greencastle/Putnam County Development Center was established in the 1980's as a result of the Greencastle 2001 community wide strategic planning process.  Shortly after its establishment, IBM announced the closing of its Greencastle facility.  Over the past 16 years, the organization has recruited eleven manufacturing and distribution firms to the county, supported many expansion projects and assessments in millions of dollars of infrastructure improvements.

The organization is staffed by an executive director and an administrative assistant.  The budget for 2006 is $141,000 with funding provided by Putnam County, the City of Greencastle, and the private sector.
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MISSION
The mission of the Greencastle/Putnam County Development Center is to promote investment in Putnam County which will result in quality job opportunities, contribute to economic growth and improve the quality of life of our county.
The Greencastle/Putnam County Development Center is a not-for-profit corporation governed by a board of directors of 27 team members.  Board members represent a variety of geographic, public, private, and not-for-profit interests from throughout Putnam County.  Many board members give generously of their time and talent to make Putnam County Prosper.
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GOALS:

• Enhance the economic balance of our community.

• Work to improve the local quality of life.

• Maintain the operations of the organization as required by our fiduciary obligations.
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2006 Focus areas...
The Development Center has been part of a team of members of local and state government, the private sector and others that has resulted in significant opportunities for Putnam County.

Listed below are our focus areas for 2006:

• Business Development

• Shovel Ready Sites

• Infrastructure and Transportation

• Curriculum Coordination

• Agribusiness Development

• Airport Development

• Main Street Support

• Community Support Activities
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SERVICES                                                                               
The business community and local government use the Development Center for a variety of projects.  When called upon, the Development Center can pull together a comprehensive team of local leaders, board members, and others to assist with a project or issue.

Some of the services that the Development Center offers includes the following:

• Business retention, expansion and recruitment in Putnam County.

• Monitoring of tax abatement.

• Grant writing i.e. assistance with Training 2000 Grant applications.

• Database management, sites, demographics, affirmative action, employment, trends, etc.

• Notifications and reminders of deadlines, workshops, and other opportunities.

• Workforce training advocacy with Area 30, Ivy Tech, and area school systems.

• Communication and networking opportunities: 
       Plant manager meetings
       HR manager meetings
       Industry and school meetings

• Research Center for various special projects.
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FUTURE CHALLENGES...

• Capitalizing on the growing economy.

• Bridging the digital divide in Greencastle.

• Building consensus on the future of US 231.

• Extension of infrastructure for development.

• Workforce development.

• Development in outlying communities.
• Moving Putnam Bio-Products to the next level.
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