Evansville, Ind., the state’s third-largest city, serves as the social and economic hub of Southwest Indiana, Southeast Illinois, and Northwest Kentucky. This tri-state positioning has enabled the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership (E-REP) to become a catalyst for innovation in education and workforce development.
The Talent and Marketplace
Located on the Ohio River and home to one of Indiana’s three major port access points, the Evansville region is a distribution and logistics hub supporting a diverse mix of industries. As the region’s economic center, Evansville offers both small and large businesses a strong environment for headquarters and growth.
That role also supports a deep talent pipeline. The Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation serves thousands of students across a robust K–12 system, while postsecondary options include the University of Southern Indiana, Ivy Tech Community College, the University of Evansville, and IU’s Stone Family Center for Health and Life Sciences.
Collaboration for Career Preparation
True to Evansville’s motto, “E is for everyone,” education and workforce development efforts are highly collaborative across institutions and intermediaries.
In 2018, the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation (EVSC) launched OptIN (Opportunities through Partnerships that Transform and Inspire), a work-based learning program offering career exploration, mentorship, and employer engagement for students and families. OptIN operates in partnership with E-REP, Ivy Tech, and the regional Workforce Board to deliver classroom-based and immersive career experiences.
Building on this work, EVSC received $100,000 from Ascend Indiana to launch the Modern Youth Apprenticeship Program (MYA). E-REP partners with EVSC to advance MYA’s goal of allowing students to graduate high school with college credit, industry-recognized credentials, and meaningful hands-on experience, preparing them for both immediate employment and postsecondary pathways.
Recommitting to the Investment
Talent EVV represents the next phase of E-REP’s workforce pipeline strategy. This collaborative initiative brings together more than 20 community organizations, 70 businesses, government partners, and education systems to align efforts around four focus areas: population growth, a thriving workforce, upward mobility, and quality of life.
In 2026, Evansville also launched its second cohort of the Orr Fellowship, Indiana’s premier early-career development program, previously limited to Indianapolis. Ninety graduates will be paired with leading Indiana employers while working toward an MBA alongside their professional experience. Together, these efforts support both economic vitality and long-term community growth.
Recruiting to the Region
Through a partnership with MakeMyMove, E-REP and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation are also attracting remote workers to Evansville. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the region has drawn individuals seeking affordability, connectivity, and community—and this initiative aims to sustain that momentum by reinforcing that Evansville truly is a place for everyone.
Leading with Strategy
Justin Groenert first learned about the Business Leads Fellowship Program (Business Leads) through a Midwest regional convening. With a background spanning public policy roles at the federal, state, and regional levels, he joined Cohort 7 (2022–23) to strengthen leadership capacity in education and workforce recovery post-pandemic.
Now serving as chief strategy officer at E-REP, Justin values the Business Leads network for its creativity and peer support. The experience has helped him think more strategically about scaling and continuously improving E-REP’s programs and reminded him, as he puts it, that “you’re not alone dealing with these really heavy issues.” Looking ahead to 2030, his focus is on expanding the partnerships that power the region’s success.
Leading with Partnerships
Tyler Stock, formerly executive director of Talent EVV, participated in Cohort 10 (2024–25) of Business Leads after Justin encouraged him to apply. Through the program, Tyler deepened his understanding of how interconnected systems such as education, workforce, childcare, and family support, shape talent outcomes. Tyler later served as a homeroom leader, mentoring a subsequent cohort as they developed post–Business Leads priorities for programs and policy initiatives.
These insights informed Tyler’s transition to the Welborn Baptist Foundation, where he now serves as early education program officer, grow program director, and learning and data lead. Welborn, a private faith-based foundation, has invested more than $80 million over 25 years to cultivate flourishing communities. Recently, the foundation refined its early learning strategy to focus more intentionally on cradle-to-career initiatives, including support for the Evansville Promise Neighborhood, which received a $30 million U.S. Department of Education grant. This work reflects the region’s continued commitment to public–private collaboration as a driver of economic prosperity.
The work of leaders like Justin Groenert and Tyler Stock reflects a broader regional approach grounded in strategy, partnership, and long-term investment. By aligning education, workforce, and community systems, Evansville is demonstrating how locally rooted leadership can drive meaningful, sustainable impact.
Interested in thinking creatively about the education and workforce pipeline in your community? Learn more about Business Leads and sign up to receive information about upcoming cohorts and events.
