After 17 years at the helm of the Midwest’s Premier Commerce Center, Jerry Acy will retire June 30
Jeffersonville, IN – The River Ridge Development Authority (RRDA) announced today that Jerry Acy, Executive Director, will retire from his position on June 30, 2025. Acy has worked with River Ridge since 2008, coming in as the organization’s second Executive Director. With Acy at the helm, the River Ridge Commerce Center transformed from abandoned buildings and overgrown property left by the US Army into a commercial and industrial destination, shaping Southern Indiana’s economic development landscape for decades to come.
Dr. Treva Hodges, Chair of the RRDA Board of Directors and Mayor of Charlestown, stated “Under Jerry’s leadership, River Ridge has assumed its place as the one of the nation’s premier business and industrial parks. He joined the organization in 2008 as the surrounding communities were still envisioning the potential of River Ridge, and today we are well on our way to fulfilling the promises of economic prosperity. Jerry has helped the RRDA and many businesses calling Southern Indiana home, and this community has benefited enormously from his service. We will miss his leadership.”
Acy’s time in Southern Indiana has seen significant growth at River Ridge. The activities at the Commerce Center create an annual economic output in our region of just under $3.0 billion according to the 2024 Economic Impact Analysis, recently completed by Policy Analytics, LLC. River Ridge is home to over 80 companies employing more than 12,000 employees, supporting almost $900 million in wages annually. Those dollars are spent throughout the community, generating nearly $40 million in state income and sales tax revenues annually, and an additional $9.1 million in local income tax revenue.
The RRDA Board also announced that Marc Hildenbrand, P.E., will succeed Acy and will be promoted to the role of Executive Director on July 1, 2025. Hildenbrand has served several roles with the RRDA, spending the last three years as Chief Director, Engineering and Operations.
“We know that change can be challenging, but we truly have an incredible opportunity to continue building upon the foundation at River Ridge,” Dr. Hodges added. “Marc’s leadership abilities will be paramount as the RRDA continues its work, and his experience with the staff, infrastructure needs and company recruitments will serve us well in the future.”
“For the last 17 years, I have thoroughly enjoyed serving the businesses, organizations, and residents of our communities in my role at River Ridge,” Acy said. “The team I have been able to work for and with is truly second-to-none in serving our businesses and communities with passion and foresight. I know I am leaving the organization in good hands, and I will be watching as Marc and the RRDA team continues to build River Ridge as a regional asset serving all of Southern Indiana.”
“Jerry’s impact on the business landscape in Southern Indiana has been enormous, and the ripple effect of his efforts and energy will continue to benefit Southern Indiana residents for decades to come,” said Lance Allison, President and CEO of One Southern Indiana. “He has been the central leader in the location of many of our major employers. His dedication has seen the addition of major businesses locating here including Meta, Canadian Solar, America Place, CTDI, The Cheesecake Factory, and so many others. His commitment has fueled the development of nearly 4,000 acres within River Ridge by selling our community as the best option for growth of quality jobs that pay living wages. He certainly deserves our utmost appreciation for his decades of service.”
Specific milestones during Acy’s tenure with River Ridge include:
- 2008 – Tax Increment Financing Filing & Baseline Study
- 2010 – Department of Natural Resources funding for New Water System
- 2010 – Master Plan completed
- 2011 – Wastewater I Settlement
- 2014 – Master Plan updated
- 2015 – Mega Deed & Landfill Transfer
- 2015 – Mid America Rail Amendment
- 2016 – Final Deed Transfer – Parcel H7
- 2018 – Strategic Plan Adopted
- 2018 – Master Lease with Army Terminated
- 2022 – RRDA Announced Organizational Change
- 2023 – New Organizational Structure Implemented
- 2023 – Mega Site Projects Approved (META & Canadian Solar)
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 from the closure of the Indiana Army Ammunition Plant. Today, River Ridge is home to more than 80 companies such as Amazon, Bose, Collins Aerospace, Medline, Optum and PharmaCord. Onsite employment totaled more than 12,000 in 2023, and the Center produced a total of over $2.9 billion in economic output and supported an additional 6,550+ jobs. 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.
David Eplion, Dean of the IU Southeast School of Business, IU Southeast Chancellor Debbie Ford, Ivy Tech Madison business student Kristy Hay, Ivy Tech Madison Chancellor Amanda Harsin and Kay Stokes, Ivy Tech Madison Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs pose after the announcement and signing of a Memorandum of Agreement on February 25, 2025.
