The Central Indiana Regional Development Authority has adopted a regional strategy aimed at drawing life sciences investment and higher-wage jobs to central Indiana, a plan championed by CIRDA Board Chair and Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness.
The Catalyze Plan unites CIRDA’s 32 member communities behind a shared economic development framework. It is the result of a yearlong planning effort, according to a CIRDA news release.
The plan takes a broad view of life sciences, covering human, animal and plant health. It also links the sector to agriculture, advanced manufacturing and logistics, industries CIRDA says are closely connected in the region.
Fadness has been a leading advocate of regional cooperation in central Indiana, arguing that communities compete better for major investment when they work together rather than against one another.
“Central Indiana has the research institutions, industry leaders, talent, manufacturing capabilities, and logistical advantages to compete for the life sciences investments that will shape our economy for decades to come,” Fadness said in the release. “The Catalyze Plan reflects a year of thoughtful planning and regional collaboration in order to determine how we can better connect these assets and close critical gaps.”
CIRDA says the timing matters. Life sciences companies are spending billions of dollars on long-term decisions about where to put research operations, manufacturing, product development and distribution. Those decisions can take years to become buildings and jobs, and the authority says aligning regional priorities now will leave central Indiana better positioned when they are made.
The plan also builds on Gov. Mike Braun’s $1 billion commitment to agriculture and life sciences, announced in March.
A CIRDA committee representing communities across the region helped develop the plan. Bargersville Town Council President Andrew Greenwood, a CIRDA board member, said regional alignment benefits every member.
“When we align our economic development efforts regionally, every community gains a competitive edge,” Greenwood said.
The release does not identify specific projects, funding amounts or job targets tied to the plan. CIRDA describes it as a framework for building on existing strengths, addressing gaps and preparing the region to compete for the next generation of life sciences investme