Leadership Receives Grant from Community Foundation of Southern Indiana

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Leadership Southern Indiana is proud to announce that it has been awarded a grant in the amount of $1,000 by the Youth Philanthropy Council of the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana.

This generous grant serves as recognition of the impactful work carried out by Leadership Southern Indiana, particularly through its NEXGEN program. NEXGEN is dedicated to fostering stronger leaders by providing high school juniors with immersive experiences in various community sectors, including government, financial literacy, workforce development, and more. The program culminates in a capstone philanthropic project, further enriching participants’ understanding of community engagement. The recent surge in applications for the Class of 2025, totaling over 90 from students across Clark, Floyd, and Scott Counties, spanning public and private schools as well as homeschooled individuals, underscores the program’s burgeoning influence and its significance in shaping future community leaders.

As a token of appreciation, the Youth Philanthropy Council honored Leadership Southern Indiana at the Grants Award Reception on Wednesday, April 10th. The reception took place at the Prosser Career Education Center located at 4202 Charlestown Rd in New Albany. During the event, the grant check was presented to our organization.

“We are deeply honored to receive this recognition of our organization’s efforts and their investment in our community,” said Mark Eddy, President/CEO of Leadership Southern Indiana. “This support will enable us to continue our mission of cultivating leadership and making a positive impact in our community.” 

Leadership Southern Indiana extends its gratitude to the Youth Philanthropy Council and the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana for their commitment to supporting organizations like ours.

River Ridge’s Economic Impact on Southern Indiana Tops $2.9 billion in 2023

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Annual analysis highlights $90.9 million of private investment and support of 18,558 regional jobs

Jeffersonville, IN (April 10, 2024) – River Ridge Development Authority (RRDA) unveiled its annual economic report for 2023, showing another record-breaking year with more than $2.9 billion in economic output benefits throughout southern Indiana. 

Completed by Policy Analytics, LLC, the report shows the River Ridge Commerce Center saw a year-over-year increase in private, direct employment in 2023.  Companies located in River Ridge directly employed 12,002 people, but when looking at the overall impact, the report credits River Ridge with supporting an additional 6,550+ regional jobs and a total of $884 million in labor income throughout the region.

“Growth at River Ridge continues to benefit Southern Indiana and the metro area,” said Jerry Acy, River Ridge Executive Director.  “Our commitment to providing a worldclass industrial park through the development of quality infrastructure including 2023 investments of $6.0 million in new roads and another $6.2 million in improved utilities.” 

“This builds upon nearly two decades of infrastructure investment within River Ridge by the RRDA.  We strive to create an environment which attracts and grows private investment and job creation, and project announcements in 2023 from some of the largest companies in the world prove this strategy is producing results,” Acy stated.

A major focus for the RRDA was to prepare the Charlestown end of Commerce Center for development by demolishing existing structures and preparing sites for construction.  In October, Charlestown announced it is welcoming a high-profile name to its community.  The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated, an industry-leading restaurant, is opening a large bakery for manufacturing and distributing its iconic cheesecake and other desserts to operators, retailers, and distributors. The bakery and operations will be housed at River Ridge, investing over $74 million into its operations.  The bakery and distribution operations should have more than 200 employees, making an average wage higher than the Clark County average.  

“We know that private investment will follow our public investments, and companies of all sizes are taking note,” added Acy.  “Later in October, we announced Canadian Solar’s commitment to making the largest economic investment in River Ridge’s history, and then matched it with another such announcement three months later with Meta.”

Canadian Solar, an integrated provider of solar power products and system solutions, will invest a projected $800 million to construct and equip a state-of-the-art photo voltaic cell manufacturing plant at River Ridge in Jeffersonville. The new plant will produce an annual output of 5GW – equivalent to approximately 20,000 high-power solar panels per day – and ship the finished cells to the company’s new module assembly facility in Texas, which was announced in early 2023. This new River Ridge facility will create approximately 1,200 new jobs in Jeffersonville over the next several years, including 150 engineers.

In December, River Ridge transferred 619 acres to Meta Platforms, Inc.  But it wasn’t until January 2024, that the company publicly announced plans to establish a new $800 million data center as the first phase of a future campus on the site. The new facility in Jeffersonville will support approximately 100 operational jobs and hundreds of construction jobs.  Meta, which powers products such as Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp, will establish a nearly 700,000-square-foot facility, their 18th such data center in the United States.

“We have so much to celebrate from the past 12 months, but the fun is just beginning,” said Dr. Treva Hodges, Mayor of Charlestown and President of the RRDA Board of Directors. “The River Ridge Development Authority’s talented, professional staff, together with my fellow board members’ leadership and vision, has energized us in envisioning what our economic development future can be.”

River Ridge is benefiting the State of Indiana and local entities through added tax impact.  In just one year, the companies located at River Ridge generated $48.4 million in total tax revenue for state and local entities, with wages from these business operations generating $884 million in total labor income. 

A summary of Policy Analytics’ report for 2023 includes the following highlights:

  • The River Ridge Commerce Center produced $2.932 billion in economic output throughout Southern Indiana.
  • Business activity generated $48.4 million in total tax revenue for state and local entities.
  • Businesses that call River Ridge home expanded their employment footprint to 18,558 people.
    • 12,002 employed individuals onsite; and
    • 6,556 regional jobs supported.
  • RRDA continued to expand infrastructure, providing $6.0 million in new roads and another $6.2 million in improved utilities.
  • The Board of Directors approved the largest land transfer of 619 acres to Meta Platforms, Inc., representing more than 10% of the Commerce Center.
  • Private development of $90.9 million in 2023 is estimated to bring an additional 2.3 million square feet once completed.

Additionally, potential new businesses filed a record 126 requests for proposals and hosted 38 on-site visits, more than double the number of visits in 2022.

The full 2023 RRDA Annual Report can be accessed at www.riverridgecc.com/annual-report.

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.

St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities to Hold Annual Giving Hope ~ Changing Lives Gala

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New Albany, IN- St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities is gearing up for their biggest night in fundraising; their Annual Giving Hope ~ Changing Lives Gala. The Gala will be held on the evening of Thursday April 18th at the Galt House Grand Ballroom in Louisville, KY.

The St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities’ Giving Hope ~ Changing Lives Gala, is an elegant event that features a silent auction and an exciting live auction which help raise funds to run their community programs. A delicious meal will be prepared and served by Galt House’s in house restaurant chefs from Walker’s Exchange. Online bidding opens on April 2nd and can be access at bidpal.net/stegala2024.

The doors open at 5:30 pm for social hour. During the night, St. Elizabeth will celebrate its mission and many blessings as the agency raises funds to support their social services programs.  Attendees will also have a chance to hear inspirational testimonies from 3 individuals directly impacted by the programs of St. Elizabeth and how their lives have been forever changed.

Last year St. Elizabeth assisted 346 women faced with homelessness and were able to help 189 women and children in the form of shelter and support. The agency also assisted 33 birth parent inquiries with their professional adoption services, provided over 7,130 hours of support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and assisted 1,045 families with essential mother/baby and household items free of charge and more.

                                                                         -###-

 

About St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities

St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities has been serving families throughout Southern Indiana and Metro Louisville for 45 years. The agency’s history is rooted in the 1979 opening of Catholic Charities in Southern Indiana. In May of 1989, St. Elizabeth’s opened in New Albany as a crisis pregnancy center. The two organizations merged in 2004 to better serve the community.  Current programs include: Adoption Bridges of Kentuckiana– adoption services licensed in both Kentucky and Indiana, a Women and Children Emergency Shelter, a Domestic Violence Transitional & Rapid Rehousing Program, a Maternity Program for single mothers, Affordable Supportive Housing, Marie’s Blessings Community Distribution Program of mother/baby and household items, a School Counseling Program, and a Supported Living Program serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities is a COA accredited human service agency providing physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the community committed to Providing Help, Creating Hope and Serving All.   

Brian Butler Elected Fellow of American Board of Criminal Lawyers

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (April 1, 2024)—The American Board of Criminal Lawyers (ABCL) recently elected Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Brian Butler as a Fellow. He is one of only five Fellows in Kentucky.

ABCL is an invitation-only legal honorary society founded in 1978 for outstanding criminal trial lawyers in the U.S., Canada and Europe. To be considered for fellowship, nominees must have at least 10 years of criminal trial experience and have tried at least 50 trials, of which 35 were felony jury trials. Nominees must also receive exceptional recommendations from current Fellows and honored jurists.

Butler is a Member (Partner) based in Stites & Harbison’s Louisville, Ky., office. He is a member of the Torts & Insurance Practice Group and the Business Litigation Service Group. His practice focuses on a wide variety of litigation matters, including but not limited to white collar criminal defense, criminal defense, product liability and general tort defense. He has tried more than 100 jury trials and is intimately familiar with complex federal investigations including those involving corporations and their employees. Butler routinely serves as a legal analyst for Louisville television stations and the Louisville Courier-Journal. Butler received his Juris Doctor from the University of Notre Dame Law School in 1995. 

About Stites & Harbison

Stites & Harbison, PLLC is a nationally recognized, full-service law firm. With 11 offices across six states — Kentucky, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia — the firm represents clients across the United States and internationally. Tracing its origins to 1832, Stites & Harbison is known as a preeminent firm managing sophisticated transactions, challenging litigation and complex regulatory matters on a daily basis. For more information, visit www.stites.com.

 

Henriott Group and Harpenau Insurance Announce Strategic Partnership

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Troy, Indiana and West Lafayette, Indiana – March 2024 – Henriott Group, a leading insurance and risk management agency with offices in West Lafayette and Indianapolis, Indiana, announces a strategic partnership with Harpenau Insurance, a specialist insurance advisory firm, with locations in Troy and Evansville, Indiana, serving clients nationwide for close to six decades. 

Founded in 1965 in Troy, Indiana, Harpenau Insurance has earned a reputation for delivering exceptional insurance solutions and services, with core competencies in trucking, UAV/drones, lumber/furniture, and wood products, in addition to broad manufacturing industries. Harpenau Insurance also has a tremendous reputation for providing personalized solutions for home and auto insurance needs. 

With a focus on improving client outcomes, this strategic partnership will broaden the collective reach of both organizations and provide additional services and solutions to the combined client base. This partnership enables clients to access a wider range of carriers and receive personalized risk management consulting, employee benefits, and Medicare coverage. 

“We are excited to have Harpenau Insurance join Henriott Group,” said Kelley Henriott and Andrew Ball, CEOs of Henriott Group. “This collaboration represents a significant step forward in our commitment to delivering exceptional service and comprehensive insurance solutions to our clients. With our combined team and expanded geographic footprint we can leverage our expertise and resources to better meet the evolving needs of our clients.”  

“Our focus is always on expanding opportunities to support our clients. This acquisition expands our insurance partner portfolio and adds significant expertise to the team,” said Kelley Henriott, Co-CEO, adding “maintaining the existing teams, respecting existing client relationships, and servicing locally are core tenants for our group. Our focus is always on improving client outcomes.” Andrew Ball, Co-CEO added “We are proud of our history in Indiana and the addition of Harpenau Insurance to our company reaffirms our support to the great Hoosier state, enhancing our ability to serve our clients nationwide. We are so pleased to have Rick and the rest of the Harpenau team join and know that we will continue to do amazing work for our clients.”

Rick Harpenau, owner of Harpenau Insurance, echoed this sentiment, affirming, “This business bares my name, and holds six decades of collective, blood, sweat, tears, memories, and friendships. Finding the right strategic partner to continue our legacy has been a primary focus of mine over the last several years. Maintaining our team, along with our Troy and Evansville locations was important in this decision. This collaboration is an exciting opportunity to further support our clients and enhance the value we bring to their insurance needs, while continuing to remain independently owned and free from external influences.” 

Through this partnership, Henriott Group and Harpenau Insurance will continue to be innovators in the insurance distribution industry, leveraging their combined expertise and resources to deliver unparalleled support and innovative solutions to clients across the nation.

 

About Henriott Group: Founded in 1963 in Lafayette, Indiana, Henriott Group is a leading insurance and risk management agency dedicated to providing innovative solutions and exceptional service to clients across various industries. With a focus on client satisfaction and comprehensive coverage, Henriott Group is committed to delivering peace of mind to its clients. 

For more information about Henriott Group, visit www.henriott.com. For more information about Harpenau Insurance, visit www.harpenauinsurance.com. 

For Contact: 

Grace Pritchett, gpritchett@henriott.com 

Republic Bank Named one of the Best-Performing Large Community Banks in the U.S. by S&P Global Market Intelligence

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Republic ranked highest among banks headquartered in Kentucky

Louisville, Ky. (Mar. 27, 2024) – Republic Bank today announced it has been named a top-50 best-performing bank in the S&P Global Market Intelligence Top 50 Community Banks with assets of $3 -10 billion, with the highest ranking of any bank headquartered in Kentucky. The rankings assess the performance of banking institutions based on returns, growth and funding, while placing a premium on the strength and risk profile of balance sheets. 

Republic Bank Executive Chair Steve Trager said, “This notable designation is a testament to the strength and stability we’ve built over more than 40 years, which fosters peace of mind and confidence among our clients, associates and all those we serve.” 

To compile this ranking, S&P Global Market Intelligence calculated scores based on seven metrics: pretax return on average assets; year-over-year change in operating revenue; adjusted tangible common equity to tangible assets; cost of funds; net charge-offs to average loans and leases ratio; nonperforming assets and loans 90 days or more past due as a percentage of total assets and gross loans and leases plus held-to-maturity securities to total deposits. 

“We’re honored to be named a Top-50 community bank and to be ranked highest in the Commonwealth of Kentucky,” said Logan Pichel, president and chief executive officer, Republic Bank. “Combining this recognition of our safety and security with recent recognition for our customer service – and a Net Promoter Score nearly 2-1/2 times* the industry average – shows our efforts to meet clients’ needs are working.”  

Nathan Stovall, director of financial institutions research at S&P Global Market Intelligence said, “As banks and credit unions weather a higher for longer interest rate environment, we are delighted to see them continue serving their local markets.” 

S&P Global Market Intelligence’s announcement can be found at: https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/media-center/press-release/sp-global-market-intelligence-ranks-the-best-performing-us-credit-unions-community-and-public-banks-and-community-banks-by-regio 

*Source: Republic Bank Q3 2023 NPS® (Net Promoter Score) compared to Qualtrics XM Institute 2023 U.S. Consumer Benchmark Study banking industry average NPS®. NPS® is a common metric used by organizations to measure how they are perceived by their customers. See https://www.xminstitute.com/data-snippets/xmi-ratings-nps-2023/. 


About Republic Bank 

Republic Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) is the parent company of Republic Bank & Trust Company (the “Bank”). The Bank currently has 47 banking centers in communities within five metropolitan statistical areas (“MSAs”) across five states: 22 banking centers located within the Louisville MSA in Louisville, Prospect, Shelbyville, and Shepherdsville in Kentucky, and Floyds Knobs, Jeffersonville, and New Albany in Indiana; six banking centers within the Lexington MSA in Georgetown and Lexington in Kentucky; eight banking centers within the Cincinnati MSA in Cincinnati and West Chester in Ohio, and Bellevue, Covington, Crestview Hills, and Florence in Kentucky; seven banking centers within the Tampa MSA in Largo, New Port Richey, St. Petersburg, Seminole, and Tampa in Florida; and four banking centers within the Nashville MSA in Franklin, Murfreesboro, Nashville and Spring Hill, Tennessee. In addition, Republic Bank Finance has one loan production office in St. Louis, Missouri. The Bank offers internet banking at www.republicbank.com. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had approximately $6.6 billion in assets and is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. The Company’s Class A Common Stock is listed under the symbol “RBCAA” on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. 

 

Source: Republic Bancorp, Inc. 

 

Republic Bank. It’s just easier here. ® 

Media Contact 
Jim Ensign, Senior Vice President & Chief Brand Officer 
(502) 584-3600 

Louisville Zoo Hosts Party for the Planet: A Month-Long Celebration of Earth

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New ‘Kids in Action’ program added to annual event

The Louisville Zoo announces the return of its annual celebration, Party for the Planet: A Month-Long Celebration of the Earth powered by LG&E and KU Foundation. Throughout April, the Zoo will host a series of weekend activities and discounted admission opportunities to celebrate the wonder of our planet and promote the need to protect it.  

New in 2024, the Zoo introduces the ‘Kids in Action’ program, inviting families and individuals of all ages to participate in environmentally beneficial projects in their own backyards. Participants can choose an activity aligned with conservation efforts and submit photos and explanations of their projects. Submissions will be accepted through April 16 with four winners selected on April 18 through a random drawing. Winners will receive a Zoo prize package and be invited to a special press conference celebrating Earth Month on April 21.  A video retrospective of all projects will be shared on April 22.

“We are proud to once again host this month-long celebration of earth’s remarkable ecosystems,” said Dan Maloney, director of the Louisville Zoo. “Wildlife needs everyone to thrive, and Party for the Planet provides the perfect opportunity for people to learn how they can help promote and protect wildlife and wild places. Big thanks to LG&E and KU Foundation for making the entire month of festivities possible.”

The celebration kicks off with Recycling Weekends on April 6, 13, and 20, featuring various conservation organizations offering tips and suggestions to protect the environment. Special activities, including animal presentations and keeper talks, will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each weekend.

In addition, the Zoo will offer unique compost sales with ZooPoopyDoo compost available for purchase on April 6, 13, 20, and 27. Fun Day Mondays on April 8, 15, 22, and 29 will feature $7.25 Zoo admission, powered by LG&E and KU Foundation, with a portion of proceeds supporting conservation projects worldwide.

Party for the Planet culminates with Earth Day observed on April 21, with $5 off general admission at the Zoo’s admissions windows and free parking all day, powered by LG&E and KU Foundation. Community eco-partners will be featured throughout the Zoo, providing guests with valuable information on environmental conservation.

“Our earth and its resources are precious, and this event is the perfect opportunity to celebrate them,” said Mary Kate Gray, manager of Corporate Responsibility and Community Affairs at LG&E and KU. “We’re proud to continue this long-standing partnership with the Zoo to help foster this tradition and a love of the environment within our community.”

For more information about Party for the Planet events and scheduling, see below and visit louisvillezoo.org/earth.

Recycling weekends
April 6, 13 and 20

Each weekend in April, the Zoo will host a different conservation organization to offer ways for guests to help our environment! Organizations and programs that help the air, water, land, and, of course, animals will be featured each of these weekends from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Guests can enjoy special animal presentations, keeper talks, as well as tips and suggestions to help protect wildlife and wild places.

                April 6                   Crayon Recycling             

                April 13                 Shoe Recycling

                April 20                 Document Shredding

Louisville ZooPoopyDoo Compost Sales
April 6, 13, 20 and 27

The most unique and wildest blend of ZooPoopyDoo compost will be made available for sale each Saturday in April from 7:30 – 11:30 a.m. for $45 per scoop. Products will be loaded into your vehicle in the Zoo’s Bus parking lot. Only open-top truck beds and trailers will be loaded. To purchase online, visit louisvillezoo.org/zoopoopydoo.

Fun Day Mondays
April 8, 15, 22 and 29

Guests can enjoy $7.25 Zoo admission, powered by LG&E and KU Foundation. Parking of $7 is not included and will be charged at the Zoo’s admission windows. Twenty-five cents from every ticket sold supports species survival activities through the Zoo’s conservation work with regional, national and global partners such as Monarch Watch, Kentucky Natural Land Trust, Snow Leopard Trust, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, Polar Bears International and the Black-footed Ferret Recovery Program.

Kids in Action Winners Announced
Sunday, April 21

The Zoo will announce the winners of its new Kids in Action program. 

Earth Day Observed at the Zoo
Sunday, April 21

Party for the Planet culminates with $5 off general admission and free parking all day powered by LG&E and KU Foundation. Community eco-partners will be featured throughout the Zoo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission discount cannot be applied to any online ticket purchases and will only be applied during transactions made at the Zoo’s admission windows on April 21.

Plant Sale
Saturday, April 27

Guests can browse a selection of native plant available for purchase at the Zoo from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. or while supplies last.

ZOO HOURS

The Zoo is open daily year-round. Spring/summer hours are 10 a.m. ─ 5 p.m. (stay until 6 p.m.). The Zoo is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Visit louisvillezoo.org for more info.

# # #

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).



Thad Barnes and Michael Denbow Appointed to Lead Stites & Harbison’s Business Litigation Service Group

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (March 22, 2024)—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that attorneys Thad M. Barnes and Michael Denbow have been appointed to Co-Chair the firm’s Business Litigation Service Group. Each attorney will continue their diverse legal practices in business litigation.

“Stites & Harbison is fortunate to have so many strong leaders across the firm. I know Thad and Michael will do an excellent job serving as Co-Chairs of the group while helping the team execute on the firm’s strategic goals,” stated Marjorie A. Farris, Chair of Stites & Harbison. “We are grateful to Chad McTighe for his past leadership of the Business Litigation Group and welcome him to the Management Committee where he will be able to make an even greater impact at Stites.”

Barnes is a Member (Partner) of Stites & Harbison in the Louisville office. He is currently Chair of the Pretrial Practice & eDiscovery Group and the Lateral Recruiting Committee. Barnes handles litigation across the nation and his practice is focused on complex commercial litigation, intellectual property and health care litigation. He works closely with flavor and fragrance manufacturers and has extensive trial experience in patent litigation, trade secret cases and product liability matters. Barnes also works with clients to implement defensible approaches to the presentation, collection and production of electronically stored information (ESI) for litigation, government requests and investigations.

Denbow is a Member (Partner) of Stites & Harbison in the Louisville office. He is currently the Chair of the White Collar Practice Group. His practice focuses on white collar criminal defense and other government and regulatory matters. He handles matters in federal and state courts throughout the Southeast and represents clients when dealing with such government entities as the Department of Justice, the FBI, the SEC and the CFPB, among others. Denbow also routinely represents professional athletes and entertainers in contract negotiations, business advice and litigation matters.

About Stites & Harbison

Stites & Harbison, PLLC is a nationally recognized, full-service law firm. With 11 offices across six states — Kentucky, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia — the firm represents clients across the United States and internationally. Tracing its origins to 1832, Stites & Harbison is known as a preeminent firm managing sophisticated transactions, challenging litigation and complex regulatory matters on a daily basis. For more information, visit www.stites.com.

Purdue Opens 2024 Digital Ready Businesses Program

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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – A Purdue Extension workshop series that seeks to help Indiana small businesses build or enhance their online presence will return in communities throughout the state this spring.

“Digital Ready Businesses” was launched in 2017. The program has been updated and new workshops added to reflect current trends. Participants can attend all 11 (1 hour) sessions or only those that meet their needs. The hands-on training, led by county Extension educators, covers a variety of topics, from website basics to podcasting, blogging, the ins and outs of social media, and email analytics and marketing. 

The series is being offered virtually starting in January from 2pm-3pm EST:

  1. Claim Your Online Turf – Tuesday, April 2
  2. Website Basics – Thursday, April 4
  3. Grow Your Virtual Customers – Tuesday, April 9
  4. Search Engine Optimization – Thursday, April 11
  5. Email Analytics & Marketing – Tuesday, April 16
  6. Podcasting 101 – Thursday, April 18
  7. How to Blog Successfully – Tuesday April 23
  8. Introduction to Social Media Platforms – Thursday, April 25
  9. Social Media Plan & Content – Tuesday, April 30
  10. Social Media Analytics & Marketing – Thursday, May 2
  11. Digital Storefront – Tuesday April 7

Sessions are $25 each or you can register for the complete series for $250.

“These workshops are designed for entrepreneurs and small business owners or employees who might not have an online presence, or have one that is outdated,” says Roberto Gallardo, director of the Purdue Center for Regional Development and Community and a regional economic specialist for Purdue Extension.

In follow-up surveys, participants have reported significant increases in sales, customer base and customer engagement, and nearly 9 in 10 recommended the series to others.

“We have a long way to go,” one participant responded, “but at least we now have a plan. Since our workshop I started concentrating on Facebook and Instagram with the help of my daughter. She started to post daily even though our content/backdrop was not exactly how we wanted it. We grew Facebook from 1,547 to 2,079 and Instagram from 676 to 2,013.”

For more information, email Daniel Walker at walke422@purdue.edu

Click the link for an informational flyer: Digital Ready Businesses 2.0 flyer March

Writer: Charles Wineland, 765-494-6946, cwinelan@purdue.edu

Source: Daniel Walker, 765-215-1534 walke422@purdue.edu