About
The Southern Indiana Rural Development Project was conceived as an effort to provide action-oriented economic development initiatives. Much of rural Southern Indiana faces serious problems in a large number of areas including education, jobs, income, and quality of life. Eight of the state's ten counties with the lowest per capita income are in the project area.
SIRDP represents 39 Southern Indiana counties and has a board made up of local elected officials, industry representatives, financial community representatives, community leaders, and other action-oriented persons. At its monthly board meetings held in different locations in the region, SIRDP continues to serve as an open forum where leaders from all sectors of the state can network and learn from each other. In addition, SIRDP has seven task forces, each focused on a particular rural development topic. These task forces are:
- Business R & E
- Brain-Gain
- Benchmarking
- Entrepreneurship
- Broadband
- AIC
- Housing
SIRDP's task force activities translate into projects that reflect the views and knowledge of rural America drawing upon its diverse and appropriately representative board and advisory board of directors.
SIRDP contracts with Strategic Development Group, Inc (link to website) in Bloomington for support and professional services. SDG has been instrumental in helping the organization continue to be an active contributor to Southern Indiana.
