(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) – A new regional group of economic development interests wants businesses to think of southeast Indiana as the “affordable Cincinnati address.”

A map used to show southeast Indiana's proximity to transportation resources in Greater Cincinnati. Southeast Indiana Growth Alliance

Ripley County Economic Development Director Gary Norman announced the formation of the Southeast Indiana Growth Alliance on Tuesday. Norman is also the group’s president.

The alliance consists of economic development groups from Dearborn, Ohio, Ripley, Switzerland and Franklin counties, as well as the City of Batesville bragging about their proximity to Cincinnati’s resources – such as an international airport, interstate highways, river ports – with a lower cost of doing business.

“We want to get the message out that this area is primed for corporate and commercial development and a logical and promising location for enterprises of all kinds,” said Norman.

The cooperative effort has already earned praise from the state’s economic development firm.

“Along with maintaining a low cost business environment, Regional partnerships are some of the best tools Indiana has to spur economic growth,” said Mitch Roob, Secretary of Commerce and Chief Executive Officer, of Indiana Economic Development Corporation.

The alliance has already debuted a new website to help market the area – www.southeastindiana.org. It brags about southeast Indiana’s business climate, links to information on available sites and buildings, and has testimonials from existing area businesses on the benefits of being located in the region.

“It’s great to be able to work with your neighbors to promote this region. There are so many hidden opportunities here that just need exposure to create growth. That’s why we are promoting this area as the ‘Affordable Cincinnati Address,’” said Lane Siekman, Executive Director of the Ohio County Economic Development Corporation and Growth Alliance secretary.

For more information about the Southeast Indiana Growth Alliance visit www.southeastindiana.org or contact Gary Norman at (812) 689-4344 or ripleyed@seidata.com.