River Ridge Board Approves $5.175 Million for Service Agreements with Community Partners

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Authorization granted for negotiation of final agreements with Jeffersonville, Charlestown, Utica, Clark County and Greater Clark County Schools

Jeffersonville, IN (March 12, 2026) – Today at its regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting, the River Ridge Development Authority (RRDA) approved five resolutions authorizing 2026 Service Agreements with community partners for the provision of public utilities, safety, and educational expenditures supporting the River Ridge Commerce Center.  Authorization to commence negotiations for agreements with local governments include the City of Jeffersonville, the City of Charlestown, the Town of Utica and Clark County.  Additionally, the RRDA will initiate an educational capital improvement agreement with Greater Clark County Schools. 

“River Ridge and the businesses within the Commerce Center are grateful for our partnerships with all our public entities,” said Marc Hildenbrand, RRDA Executive Director.  “We appreciate the utility, public safety, and educational services provided by these partners that allow our businesses to grow, thereby benefiting the entire Southern Indiana region.”

In 2025, the River Ridge Commerce Center was home to nearly 80 companies, employing a total of 13,054 employees.  

“Our shared commitment to service and partnership exemplifies how a strong, unified region addresses community needs and drives economic prosperity for the benefit of all residents,” Hildenbrand added.

Once agreements are finalized, River Ridge will provide one-time payments designated for the following services:

  • Since annexing the portion of River Ridge within the City limits in 2000, the City of Jeffersonville has provided property owners within the River Ridge Commerce Center with municipal services including public safety and wastewater treatment.  River Ridge plans to continue its support of Jeffersonville services in the amount of $3,500,000 for 2026.  Jeffersonville Mayor Mike Moore stated, “We appreciate River Ridge’s meaningful investment in our community’s safety and essential infrastructure.  It strengthens our ability to provide quality police and fire services along with wastewater treatment, to better serve all city residents and businesses, while enforcing the partnership that drives our progress.” 
  • Bryan Glover, President of the Clark County Commissioners, expressed appreciation for River Ridge’s contribution of $850,000 to support Clark County Sheriff’s department patrols as well as other emergency support services throughout the Commerce Center.  “A safe, well served Commerce Center is essential to sustaining the economic momentum we’re seeing in Clark County. River Ridge’s contribution strengthens our shared efforts to support both growth and the first responders who make that growth possible,” said Glover.
  • To support educational capital improvements, River Ridge is partnering with the Greater Clark County School Corporation to contribute $500,000 toward projects such as STEM labs in designated schools.  STEM Labs are hands-on, interactive spaces that promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math skills through experimentation and creativity.   Greater Clark Superintendent Mark Laughner said, “We are grateful for River Ridge’s commitment to fostering critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving in our schools. These skills will empower students as they continue to strengthen their academic foundation and equip students with the knowledge and confidence they need to succeed in their future.” 
  • River Ridge development within the limits of the City of Charlestown has certainly accelerated in the past few years.  By today’s action, RRDA will work to contribute $250,000 in 2026 to Charlestown in exchange for sanitary sewer services as well as police services.  Dr. Treva Hodges, Mayor of Charlestown and Chair of the RRDA Board, stated, “The City of Charlestown and River Ridge are committed to not only creating economic opportunities for Southern Indiana, but also to ensuring mutually responsible growth that supports our neighbors and communities.”
  • Through mutual aid agreements, the Town of Utica supports emergency services throughout the River Ridge Commerce Center, as well.   River Ridge has pledged $75,000 to support Utica’s efforts.  Town Council President Steve Long said, “Mutual aid agreements work because partners step up for one another, and River Ridge continues to do exactly that. Their contribution directly enhances our shared ability to deliver high quality emergency services across the region.”

Depending upon its projected funding capacity from financial analyses, the RRDA intends to make additional annual contributions to these entities in 2027 and going forward.

About the River Ridge Development Authority

The River Ridge Development Authority (RRDA) manages the River Ridge Commerce Center, a 6,000-acre business and office park established in 1998 to replace lost economic activity resulting from the closure of the Indiana Army Ammunition Plant.  Today, River Ridge is home to nearly 80 companies such as Amazon, Meta, CTDI, Collins Aerospace, Medline, and Valeris.  Onsite employment totaled more than 13,050 in 2025, and the Commerce Center produced a record economic output for the region. The investments and growth at River Ridge earned the RRDA the International Economic Development Council’s 2020 Gold Award for Real Estate Redevelopment and Reuse.

Media Contact:

River Ridge Development Authority

Wendy Dant Chesser, Chief Director

Phone:  812-285-8979

Email:  wendy@riverridgecc.com

Visitor Spending Supports Communities; Generates Sales for Southern Indiana Businesses 

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Southern Indiana (March 10, 2026) – Visitor spending in Clark and Floyd Counties remained steady in 2024, benefiting local businesses and residents. Those visiting the two counties in 2024 generated nearly $559 million in top-line sales, fueling the local economy. This is according to the latest Economic Contribution of Tourism in Clark-Floyd Region report from Rockport Analytics. 

“Each year these reports show us that visitors are spending more than dollars on a hotel stay,” said SoIN Tourism Executive Director Jim Epperson. “This infusion of visitor spending is a boost to longtime mom-and-pop shops and supports the addition of new businesses, keeping our destination’s offerings fresh for tourists and residents.” 

Companies that directly serve travelers, from restaurants and attractions to hotels and retailers, saw $209 million in value-added impact, a 2.9% increase over 2023. Beyond those front-line businesses, tourism’s ripple effect continues throughout the local economy. Supply chain partners, such as vendors and service providers, receive more than $52 million in value-added activity. 

The tourism industry also supported 7,370 jobs in 2024, generating $181.3 million in wages. More than 6,000 jobs in Clark and Floyd counties were directly related to tourism. These jobs range from entry-level positions in the service industry to upper management for hotels, attractions and events.  

Dollars spent by visitors to Clark and Floyd counties also serve as a source of tax revenue for the community. Without tourism, SoIN households would pay $764 more in yearly taxes to sustain current levels of emergency services, schools, and infrastructure. 

All together, these numbers underscore how visitor spending strengthens the business community, creates jobs and fuels continued economic growth across Southern Indiana. 

View Full Report & Graphics 

To schedule an interview with SoIN Tourism Executive Director Jim Epperson, please contact Communications Manager Anna Rosales-Crone at Anna@GoSoIN.com or 812-282-6692. 

About the 2024 Economic Contribution of Tourism in Clark-Floyd Region 

Commissioned by the Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC), the 2024 Economic Contribution of Tourism report uses the IMPLAN model (www.implan.com) to measure the direct, indirect, and induced impacts of visitation to the state using data and research collected by nationally recognized tourism research and economic experts. Due to the complexity of the tourism industry, which includes visitor spending in multiple categories, 2024 is the most complete set of data on hand. 

SoIN Tourism is the official destination marketing organization for Clark and Floyd counties in Southern Indiana, just north of Louisville, Ky. Offering authentic experiences in the Kentuckiana region, SoIN includes historic downtowns in Jeffersonville and New Albany, Clarksville’s retail corridor, as well as the communities of Charlestown, Floyds Knobs, Georgetown, Henryville, Memphis, New Washington, Sellersburg, and Starlight. Visitors who would like more information can visit the destination’s website, GoSoIN.com. 

How the Leisure and Hospitality Sector Rebounded – and What Comes Next – With Continued Growth in Floyd and Clark

by with No Comment 1si NewsEconomic Development
Submitted by Uric Dufrene, Ph.D., Sanders Chair in Business, Indiana University Southeast
 

Covid dealt a significant blow to the leisure and hospitality industry. Shutdowns, followed by various mandates and crowd restrictions, caused a sharp drop in employment across the sector.

In Louisville Metro, leisure and hospitality employment fell from roughly 69,000 workers to just 37,000 over the course of only a couple of months. Floyd and Clark County accommodation and food services employment dropped by a couple thousand.

As the economy gradually reopened, foot traffic returned. But restaurants and other establishments faced a new challenge: staffing. Businesses had customers willing to spend money, but they could not find enough workers to meet the demand. You might remember walking into a restaurant during that period and being told there was an hour wait, even though half the tables were empty. That wasn’t a demand problem. It was a staffing problem.

Households found extra cash following several rounds of government stimulus. This supported strong consumer spending on goods such as recreation equipment, camping and sporting goods, and home improvement items, anything that allowed people to spend time outdoors. RVs, for example, were selling like hotcakes.

After buying enough “stuff,” and as the economy continued to reopen, households began shifting their spending toward experiences, such as restaurants, concerts, and travel.

Growth in leisure and hospitality establishments continued as this experience-based economy gained momentum. By June 2024, employment in the Louisville Metro leisure and hospitality sector reached an all-time high, surpassing the pre-Covid peak by about 2,000 workers. The sector is highly seasonal, typically reaching its peak employment in June, and the June 2024 figure marked the highest level on record. In Floyd and Clark counties, employment in accommodation and food services reached a peak in the 2nd quarter of 2025, increasing by about 3% since pre-Covid, with 34 additional establishments.

Coming out of Covid, the sector faced several challenges, including staffing shortages and supply chain disruptions that made it difficult to obtain provisions and other inputs. Remember when it was tough to find chicken wings! At the same time, additional headwinds were developing.

Inflation reached a peak of roughly 9 percent in mid-2022, following the Federal Reserve rate hiking cycle that began in March 2022. Higher prices and rising wages have hit the restaurant industry particularly hard, and many establishments are still dealing with these pressures today.

Consider a few numbers that illustrate the challenges faced by the leisure and hospitality sector, which is dominated by restaurants and food services.

Since February 2020, the Consumer Price Index measure for Food Away From Home, the prices consumers pay when eating outside the home, has increased by about 35 percent.

Two of the largest costs faced by restaurants have also risen substantially. The Producer Price Index for All Foods, which reflects the prices paid by restaurants and food service establishments for food inputs, has increased about 31 percent since February 2020.

At first glance, that might appear manageable. Menu prices have increased by 35 percent while food costs have risen by 31 percent, suggesting slightly wider margins.

But labor costs tell a different story.

Average hourly wages in the leisure and hospitality sector have increased by a staggering 38 percent since early 2020. The combined rise in food costs and labor costs underscores the challenges that many restaurants and hospitality businesses face today. In Floyd and Clark County, for example, average weekly wages have gone from approximately $322 pre-Covid to $449 most recently, about a 39% increase.

After reaching a peak in June 2024, leisure and hospitality employment in Louisville Metro declined by roughly 3,500 jobs during 2025. This could reflect a combination of business closures, or establishments finding ways to reduce costs, perhaps by substituting technology or capital for labor in some cases. Floyd and Clark have bucked this trend, with recent data showing continued employment gains for 2025.

Leisure and hospitality was one of the largest contributors to job growth in the years immediately following Covid. The Louisville Metro decline observed during 2025 also coincides with a period of nearly flat overall employment growth across the metro region.

Restaurants and food service establishments are often one of the first places where shifts in consumer behavior show up. When households begin to feel pressure from higher prices, interest rates, or a softer labor market, dining out is one of the first expenses that tends to be scaled back. For that reason, trends in the leisure and hospitality sector can often provide an early signal of where the broader economy may be headed next. In Floyd and Clark, the trend has been mostly positive.

2026 Silver Creek High School to host 2nd College & Career Day

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On April 9th, 2026 Silver Creek High School in Sellersburg, IN will host our 2nd College & Career Day.  Far more than a simple job fair, this event brings the entire student body together to engage with 90+ local businesses, colleges, and business leaders!  All 1000+ students will attend breakout sessions and visit the massive vendor fair.  Indiana education leader and CEO of the STARTedUP Foundation Don Wettrick will be our morning keynote speaker.  Over $20,000 in donations from local businesses will be given to entrepreneurial SCHS Students to help launch their business!

See last year’s award winners here.

Advocacy Update 3.04.26

by with No Comment 1si NewsAdvocacy

As the Indiana State Session comes to an end, our Advocacy Committee reflects on the key issues and policy decisions shaping the future. The 2026 legislative session officially concluded on February 27, 2026. It saw the introduction of over 500 new bills, including significant measures related to affordability, education, and public safety. 

See the updates on the bills 1si has monitored, supported or opposed below. Our Advocacy Committee has been closely monitoring the legislation most relevant to our advocacy agenda. 

If you are interested in learning more about the topics that matter most to our region, attend our 2026 Regional Leadership Luncheon held March 18th, at IU Southeast from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Register here.  

You will hear from:  

  • Kevin Baity, Clarksville Town Manager  
  • Bob Courtney, Mayor of Madison  
  • Dr. Treva Hodges, Mayor of Charlestown  
  • Terry Amick, Mayor of Scottsburg  
  • Justin Green, Mayor of Salem  
  • Reny Kenner, Georgetown Town Manager  

Bills we are monitoring:  

SB 4 Various Fiscal Matters  

Status:  

  • 2/27/2026: Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 402: Yeas: 91, Nays: 0 
  • 2/27/2026: Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 308: Yeas: 50, Nays: 0 
  • 2/27/2026: Signed by the President of the Senate 
  • 2/26/2026: CCR #1 filed in the House 

SB 76 Immigration matters   

Status:  

  • 2/27/2026: Signed by the President of the Senate 
  • 2/27/2026: Signed by the Speaker 
  • 2/25/2026: Senate concurred with House amendments; Roll Call 271: Yeas: 37, Nays: 11 
  • 2/17/2026: Senator Byrne added as coauthor 

SB 256 Foreign agent registration, foreign terrorist organizations, and foreign adversaries  

Status:  

  • 2/27/2026: Signed by the President of the Senate 
  • 2/27/2026: Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House: Roll Call 412: Yeas: 82, Nays: 13 
  • 2/27/2026: Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Seate; Roll Call 316: Yeas: 49, Nays: 0 
  • 2/27/2026: CCR #1 filed in the House 
  • 2/27/2026: Signed by the Speaker 

SB 281 Income tax credits  

Status:  

  • 2/12/2026: Committee report: amend do pass, adopted  
  • 2/05/2026: Representative Snow added as cosponsor  
  • 2/05/2026: Representative Lopez added as sponsor  
  • 2/05/2026: Representative Snow removed as sponsor  
  • 2/2/2026: First reading: referred to Committee on Ways and Means  

SB 283 Regional Development Tax Credit  

Status:  

  • Did not advance; Inactive.  
  • 1/12/2026: First reading: referred to Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy  
  • 1/12/2026: Authored by Senators Mishler, Niezgodski  

HB 1101 Regional Economic Development  

Status:  

  • Did not advance; Inactive.  
  • 1/05/2026: First reading: referred to Committee on Ways and Means  
  • 1/05/2026: Coauthored by Representatives Snow, Lehman  
  • 1/05/202: Authored by Representative Heine  

HB 1164 Tax Increment Financing Districts  

Status:  

  • Did not advance; Inactive.  
  • 1/05/2026: First Reading: referred to Committee on Ways and Means  
  • 1/05/2026: Authored by Representative Rowray  

HB 1333 Land use and development  

Status:  

  • Did not advance; Inactive.  
  • 2/05/2026: First reading: referred to Committee on Utilities  
  • 2/03/2026: Referred to the Senate  
  • 2/02/2026: Senate sponsors: Senators Koch Doriot  
  • 2/02/2026: Third reading: passed; Roll Call 195  
  • Yeas: 54  
  • Nays: 45  

Bills we support:  

HB 1018 School age childcare  

Status:  

  • 2/23/2026: Signed by the President of the Senate  
  • 2/19/2026: Signed by the President Pro Tempore  
  • 2/19/2026: Signed by the Speaker  
  • 2/18/2026: Returned to the House without amendments  
  • 2/17/2026: Third reading: passed; Roll Call 172: Yeas: 45, Nays: 0  

HB 1177 Child care assistance  

Status:  

  • 2/27/2026: Signed by the President of the Senate 
  • 2/26/2026: Signed by the Speaker 
  • 2/24/2026: Returned to the House without amendments 
  • Senator Alting added as cosponsor 

Bills we oppose:  

HB 1104 Nondisclosure Agreements in Economic Development  

Status:  

  • Did not advance; Inactive.  
  • 1/12/2026: Representative Commons added as coauthor  
  • 1/05/2026: First reading: referred to Committee on Government and Regulatory Reform  
  • 1/05/2026: Authored by Representative Greene  

You can find a copy of the 1si 2026 Advocacy Agenda by visiting https://1si.org/advocacy/ or downloading a PDF copy here.   

Thank You for Renewing Your Membership | February 2026

by with No Comment 1si NewsThank Your for Renewing Your Membership

One Southern Indiana would like to thank the following members for renewing their membership during the month of February 2026.

Quarter Century Club (25 years or more)Member Since
Indiana-American Water Company1967
The Koetter Group1975
Junior Achievement of Kentuckiana1985
Indiana University Southeast1985
Hughes Group, Inc.1985
AML Construction1986
Altor Solutions1990
Amatrol, Inc.1990
New Albany Floyd County Schools1991
Ironmark1992
Indiana Land Co.1994
Childplace1994
J. Rorrer & Company, CPA1994
Mister ”P” Express, Inc.1996
Grace Design Studios1998
Wiggam Lumber, Inc.1999
Axiom Financial Strategies Group1999
St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities1999
Floyd Circuit Court Judge 2001
  
10-24 Years 
One Vision Credit Union2002
Toby’s Lawn & Landscape2003
Padgett, Inc.2003
RE/MAX FIRST2004
Old National Bank2004
Kentuckiana Air Education Network2004
Wellstone Regional Hospital2005
Leadership Southern Indiana2007
Scot Mailing and Shipping Systems2008
S & M Precast, Inc.2010
Arctic Minerals2011
GHK Truss, LLC2012
C. W. Erecting, LLC2013
United Consulting2013
Stotts Orthodontics2013
ERL, Inc.2014
Hampton Inn by Hilton New Albany Louisville West2016
Our Lady of Providence High School2016
Zaxby’s – Charlestown Rd.2016
  
5-9 Years 
Republic Services2017
Terracon Consultants, Inc2017
Personal Counseling Services, Inc.2017
Atlas Technical Consultants2017
Premier Capital Corporation2017
Center for Lay Ministries, Inc.2017
JPAR Aspire2018
Louisville Sports Commission2018
Preferred Meats, Inc.2018
Floyds Knobs Water Company2019
Russell Cellular2020
Makarios Consulting, LLC2020
BluMine Health, LLC2021
Destination Georgetown2021
Videobred, Inc.2021
CRG Automation2021
CTDI – Jeffersonville2021
  
2-4 Years 
Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe Jeffersonville2022
Parkside Trace Apartments2022
M & M Office Solutions, Inc.2023
St. Mary’s Catholic Church2023
Covered Bridge Golf Club2023
Drake’s2023
Kosair for Kids2023
Open Door Youth Services2023
American Structurepoint2023
GelCraft Building2023
Mirazon2024
HearingLife2024
Floor Coverings International Louisville East 2024
Michener Mullins & Arrington PLLC2024
City Wide Facility Solutions 2024
Goodbounce Pickleball Yard2024
Alzheimer’s Association of Greater KY & Southern IN2024
  
One Year 
CICG2025
Town of Utica2025
Austins Clean Cars Auto Detailing LLC2025
Thoroughbred Engineering2025
Your Land and Title2025
River City Sheet Metal2025
Grube CPA, Inc.2025
ABTECH Electrical Services2025
Myers Collision Center2025
Everwise Credit Union2025
CTL Leadership2025

Party with the Animals: Mayor Greenberg and the Louisville Zoo invite you to celebrate February’s “Birthday Bash”

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (February 24, 2026) — Mayor Craig Greenberg and the Louisville Zoo invite you to celebrate some of the Zoo’s most beloved animal residents with February birthdays on Saturday, Feb. 28. This new “Birthday Bash” event launched in 2026, will be a monthly series of animal birthday celebrations that will continue throughout the year.

Watch as these birthday stars enjoy species-specific custom enrichment treats designed just for them. Plus, guests can enjoy special keeper talks that reveal fascinating animal stories and care insights.

Birthday Bash schedule (subject to change):

10:10 a.m.       Bongo Gladys (6)                                                         Bongo yard

10:30 a.m.       Dalmatian pelicans Paul (7) and Wart (10)                 Islands

11:00 a.m.       Little penguins

                        Kororaa (kah roar ah) (9), Bishop (4), Paul (9), Toby (13), and Ziti (3)

                                                                                                            Islands

11:30 a.m.       African penguins

                        Chuck (15), Norris (6), and Nigel (10)                         Islands

Noon                Emus Bob and Rico (both 19)                                     Australia

12:30 p.m.       Meerkat Barry (12)                                                     Meerkat

The February Birthday Bash is free with Zoo admission. Plan your visit and see the full schedule at https://louisvillezoo.org/birthdaybash.

Zoo Hours
The Zoo is open daily year-round. Now through March 20, 2026, hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with guests exiting by 5 p.m. The Zoo is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Visit louisvillezoo.org for more information on hours and admission.

About the Zoo
The Louisville Zoo, the State Zoo of Kentucky, is the top, non-profit, paid attraction in the state. The Zoo is dedicated to bettering the bond between people and our planet by providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors, and leadership in scientific research and conservation education. The Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), a global alliance of zoos and aquariums. For more information visit www.louisvillezoo.org.

CONTACT:  Kyle Shepherd

502-238-5331 (media cell 502-744-5639)

Kyle.shepherd@louisvilleky.gov

IU Southeast Computer Science Team places 2nd in Midwest Regional CCDC State Qualifier Round

by with No Comment Member News

New Albany, Ind – A team of eight Indiana University Southeast students placed 2nd in the state qualifier round of the recent Midwest Regional Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition. The team competed against 16 other teams from Indiana and Minnesota on January 31, 2026,  and will now advance to the Wild Card qualifier round. 

The CCDC is an online cyber defense challenge that focuses on the efforts needed to manage, maintain, and protect a virtual commercial network from a very hostile team comprised of professional attackers.

In the Wild Card round, IU Southeast will face the 2nd and 3rd place finishers from the other state competitions in the region. The competition will be similar to the past two rounds in November and January, but more challenging.

Associate Computer Science Professor John Doyle coaches the team and is the advisor for the Computer Science Group. Doyle said there were a lot of strong, well-qualified teams in the competition.

“The 2nd place finish reflects the dedication and hard work that helped this team have one of the best performances since IU Southeast began competing in CCDC in 2012. The students on this team are some of the best students in the Computer Science department. Their hard work in their classes and participation in the Computer Science Group meetings really paid off at this year’s State qualifier.”

Most of the team members are pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science with the Cybersecurity Track or are earning IU Southeast’s Cybersecurity Certificate in addition to a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. 

Team members included:

Jonah Facer (captain), Georgetown, Ind.

John Aaron, Charlestown, Ind.

Jacob Braswell, Charlestown, Ind.

Anastasia McDaniel, Lexington, Ind.

Andrew Nale, Corydon, Ind.

Andon Payton, Sellersburg, Ind.

Andrew Swartz Depauw, Ind.

Jessica Ward, Scottsburg, Ind.

The Wild Card Qualifier Round will take place on February 21, 2026.

About IU Southeast: IU Southeast is one of nine campuses of Indiana University. Offering top-quality and nationally accredited programs in education, nursing, business, social sciences, natural sciences, arts and humanities, the scenic 180-acre campus is located less than 15 minutes from downtown Louisville, Kentucky. It currently has over 3,750 students and employs over 360 faculty members. About 400 students live on campus in five fully furnished, lodge-style residence halls. Through an agreement with the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Indiana University Southeast offers in-state tuition to students enrolled from ten counties in the Louisville region, including Bullitt, Hardin, Henry, Jefferson, Meade, Nelson, Oldham, Shelby, Trimble, and Spencer counties and discounted tuition for remaining Kentucky residents through the Indiana Partner Program. For more information, visit https://southeast.iu.edu. IU Southeast is a tobacco-free campus.

1si Invests in Excellence: Director of Membership Completes First Year of National Chamber Professional Development Program 

by with No Comment 1si News1si Press Release

One Southern Indiana (1SI) is proud to announce that Matt Zicher, Director of Membership, has successfully completed Year One of the Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, at its Winter Institute at the University of Arizona. 

Institute for Organization Management is a nationally recognized four-year program designed to enhance individual performance, elevate professional standards, and recognize association and chamber of commerce professionals who demonstrate the knowledge essential to the practice of chamber management. Upon completion of the program’s four-week-long sessions, participants earn the IOM Graduate Recognition, signifying 96 hours of course instruction in chamber management. 

“Investing in professional development is an investment in our members and region,” said President & CEO Lance Allison, CCE, IOM. “Matt’s commitment to completing the Institute program reflects our organization’s dedication to excellence, innovation, and delivering exceptional value to the businesses we serve.” 

The Institute’s curriculum is comprised of four separate week-long sessions, each five days in length, and offered annually at four locations across the country. This flexible structure allows participants to select the site and timing that best fits their professional schedule. While on-site, attendees complete 24 hours of course instruction per session and engage in in-depth discussions on issues impacting chambers and associations nationwide. 

Courses cover a broad range of critical topics, including advocacy, media training, membership growth and retention, finance, legal issues, human resources, and nonprofit governance. The curriculum is taught by university professors, industry experts, and leading practitioners in the chamber and association industries, ensuring participants receive both academic insight and real-world application. 

Zicher will continue his coursework over the next three years to earn the IOM designation. One Southern Indiana congratulates him on this important milestone and looks forward to the continued impact his advanced training will have on strengthening membership engagement and organizational performance. 

About One Southern Indiana 
One Southern Indiana (1si) was formed in July of 2006 as the economic development organization and chamber of commerce serving Clark and Floyd counties. 1si’s mission is to help businesses innovate and thrive in the southern Indiana / Louisville metro area via the three pillars of Business Resources, Economic Development, and Advocacy. For more information on One Southern Indiana, visit www.1si.org. 

One Southern Indiana
Ellinor Smith
ESmith@1si.org 
Phone: 812-206-9030