ORIGIN STORY: An early HEDC leader reflects ahead of the organization’s 40th anniversary

POWERHOUSE: Homebuilding in Hancock County on the rise

Hancock County was the second fastest growing county in Indiana in 2025. After looking at recent residential construction data, it's easy to see why--with permits filed for nearly 1,160 new single-family homes for the year, a 27% increase from 2024. This episode takes listeners on a deep dive into that growth with the help of three Hancock County homebuilding experts providing powerful insights from unique perspectives: * Mike Leslie, Bridgenorth Homes [https://www.bridgenorthhomes.com/] * Sara Joyner, Joyner Homes [https://joynerhomesonline.com/] * Paul Carroll, Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis [https://www.bagi.com/]

A Wealth of Information for Wellness

Every three years, Hancock Health [https://www.hancockhealth.org/] administers a Community Health Needs Assessment Survey to gather feedback that will help it continue to meet the community’s healthcare needs. Hancock Health Wellness Strategy Manager Amanda Hinkle and Community Outreach and Engagement Coordinator Teri House Gottschalk discuss why this survey is so important and delve into how initiatives like this contribute to Hancock County consistently ranking among the healthiest counties in Indiana. Do you live, work, or spend a considerable amount of time in Hancock County? Hancock Health wants to hear from you. Take the survey here [https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=PGq_y5mook6OdJur6cDZj9TQaxJmz5ROgrnPyQwlJN1URUdVMkZRQTlKN0kyQVBKOUVIREtVNTc0NC4u&route=shorturl&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExNWNNUUJmTlhPdnNYbk1wMXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5xxRmhDU0zKw9KvnXmpHxWEMH7C7kHlgW3q9R4YcOe0FQ0N1vbw9e7C1WcsA_aem_UfXBspu0w1KQct9aPP6-8w]. In other news: * Hancock economic, community development plans earn statewide recognition [https://www.hancockedc.com/news-center/p/item/67094/hancock-economic-community-development-plans-earn-statewide-recognition] * Hancock is state’s 2nd fastest growing county for 2nd year in a row [https://www.hancockedc.com/news-center/p/item/67095/hancock-is-states-2nd-fastest-growing-county-for-2nd-year-in-a-row] * HEDC gives $250,000 to Amplify Hancock Innovation Center [https://www.hancockedc.com/news-center/p/item/66790/hedc-gives-250000-to-amplify-hancock-innovation-center] * Caldwell's Inc. joins HEDC [https://www.hancockedc.com/news-center/p/item/66052/caldwells-inc-joins-hedc] * Hancock County Council Member Clark Smith Joins Hancock Economic Development Council Board [https://www.hancockedc.com/news-center/p/item/66289/hancock-county-council-member-clark-smith-joins-hancock-economic-development-council-board] * IMPA joins HEDC [https://www.hancockedc.com/news-center/p/item/66368/impa-joins-hedc] * Messer Construction Co. Joins HEDC [https://www.hancockedc.com/news-center/p/item/66540/messer-construction-co-joins-hedc] * Rural Strategies Group joins HEDC [https://www.hancockedc.com/news-center/p/item/67039/rural-strategies-group-joins-hedc]

Prescribing Progress: Hancock Health & the Mayo Clinic Care Network

As a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, Hancock Health [https://www.hancockhealth.org/about/mayoclinic/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21807387339&gbraid=0AAAAADLnU1ELbwgj39UBe23oMqcLayiVI&gclid=Cj0KCQiA6sjKBhCSARIsAJvYcpOOah04UfKh7pKQJGZ2yINp1PwvfQuVJygcFNji45IB5GZD5xrKFsYaAhotEALw_wcB] benefits from the knowledge of world-leading specialists who advise skilled local providers on diagnosis and treatment, including for the most complex health conditions. Jason Wells, Executive Director of Collaboration and Integration and the Mayo Clinic Care Network Relationship for Hancock Health, delves deeper into what this partnership means for local caregivers and those living in and around Hancock County, Indiana.

Put THAT in Your Pipeline and Staff It

Workforce, of course, is very front-of-mind for businesses. Before landing or expanding somewhere, they want to know if they’ll be able to hire not only enough employees, but the right kind of employees. So how might a community go about ensuring businesses can do that? We’ll tell you one thing–the forthcoming Hancock County Career Center [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561967897936] ain’t a bad place to start. Join HC3 Director Stan Wilkison for the lowdown on this pipeline powerhouse. Represent a business interested in partnering with HC3? Reach out to Stan Wilkison at stan.wilkison@mvcsc.k12.in.us [stan.wilkison@mvcsc.k12.in.us]. Learn more about the Amplify Hancock Innovation Center here [https://www.hancockedc.com/news-center/p/item/63758/a-signature-moment].

Prepping the Future Workforce Part IV: New Palestine Community Schools

New Palestine High School [https://nphs.newpal.k12.in.us/] in the town of New Palestine [https://newpalestine.in.gov/] in southwestern Hancock County fosters work-based learning partnerships with local employers to prepare students for the local workforce while bolstering a strong local workforce pipeline for employers. Jeremy Large, Work-Based Learning Coordinator for New Palestine High School, discusses how students have paid opportunities at dozens of businesses representing a diverse cross section of the area’s economy. Do you represent a business interested in partnering with New Palestine High School? Contact Jeremy at jlarge@newpal.k12.in.us [jlarge@newpal.k12.in.us].