Forge ECI

Regional collaboration was front and center at the Forge ECI Annual Luncheon!

Mayors from Hartford City, Marion, Gas City, New Castle, Union City, Rushville, and Richmond joined business and community leaders to discuss the opportunities, investments, and partnerships shaping the future of East Central Indiana.

The conversation highlighted progress in housing, workforce development, infrastructure, quality-of-place initiatives, and economic growth—while reinforcing the power of communities working together to create lasting impact.

The event also celebrated the success of READI investments across the region. East Central Indiana currently ranks among the state's top-performing READI 1.0 regions, with more than 90% of awarded funds already invested in transformative projects that are strengthening communities and improving quality of life.

Read the full press release below.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Forge ECI's Annual Luncheon brought regional mayors together to discuss economic development, READI investments, workforce growth, and regional collaboration.

Creativity is more than expression—it’s part of how communities grow, connect, and stand out.

As Indiana continues to invest in arts and culture, stories like this remind us why it matters. From humble beginnings using dryer lint to a global artistic legacy, Muncie artist Ann Johnson’s journey reflects the kind of creativity, resilience, and innovation that fuels vibrant communities.

This is exactly the kind of talent and storytelling that strengthens quality of place and helps define East Central Indiana.

From Dryer Lint to the White House: The Whimsical World of Ann Johnson — Muncie Journal By E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center— MUNCIE, IN—While local artist Ann Johnson is well known in art circles across the United States and abroad, many people do not fully understand the breadth of her experiences and accomplishments. She has led an extraordinary life, personally and professionally,...

Grants for small businesses are real, and they can pay off. A business owner in our region recently learned they were selected for one of 500 national $20,000 AMEX Shop Small Grants. It happened because they applied. It started because someone shared the opportunity.

Our partners at the East Central Indiana Small Business Development Center want to make sure Grant County entrepreneurs never miss the next one.

Sign up for personalized small business grant alerts through the ISBDC. The quick questionnaire helps them match you with opportunities that fit your business, including grants for specific industries or underserved communities that don't get broadly announced.

👉 Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSddkZI_7P76NgsQgP3UFSoAzQDcrPrPo76LD1ZKGt0Z36-zhQ/viewform

Two opportunities are open right now:
🔹 Verizon Small Business Digital Ready — 10 grants of $10,000 awarded monthly, June–December. Apply once, be considered all year. Priority given to businesses in low-to-moderate income communities.

🔹 Intuit Small Business Heroes — Three grants of $20,000. Deadline: May 15. Requires a nomination from someone other than the owner — so if you know a business that deserves recognition, nominate them.

Grant money doesn't come around often. Sign up so you're ready when it does.