LOOGOOTEE — The Martin County Alliance for Economic Growth is rolling out a robust calendar of summer programming aimed at fueling professional growth, strengthening local businesses, and connecting regional job seekers with area employers.
Alliance officials are urging area residents, aspiring entrepreneurs, and established business owners alike to take advantage of several interactive workshops, networking breakfasts, and recruitment events scheduled throughout the summer months.
All events in the summer series will be hosted centrally at Bowling Manufacturing, located at 99 West Washington Street in Loogootee.
Expanding Rural Economic Opportunities
As the designated local economic development organization (LEDO) for Martin County, the Alliance routinely collaborates with regional partners to support business retention, bolster workforce development, and enhance the area’s overall quality of place.
Nestled in the Indiana Uplands region—home to towns like Loogootee, Shoals, and Crane—Martin County uniquely boasts the fourth-highest concentration of STEM-related jobs in the United States. This distinction is heavily driven by the county’s close proximity and tie-ins to Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane, the world’s third-largest naval installation, alongside the defense, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing sectors operating out of the nearby WestGate@Crane Technology Park.
The Alliance’s upcoming summer events are meticulously designed to capitalize on this regional momentum, building a more resilient local economy from the ground up by equipping community members with highly practical skills.
Summer Schedule of Events
The upcoming seasonal lineup blends expert-led financial protections, professional branding, and specialized fundraising tools:
- June Lunch & Learn: “Insuring Success” (Tuesday, June 23 | Noon – 1:00 p.m.): This free informational seminar will feature presenter Alyssa Kerns with Kerns Insurance. The session will focus heavily on smart coverage strategies, small business management, and robust risk protection strategies to protect physical and digital assets.
- “Brand You” Coffee and Professional Headshots (Thursday, July 2 | 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.): A morning networking breakfast designed to elevate individual professional branding. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with fellow professionals, receive dedicated resume assistance, and sit for a high-quality, professional digital headshot.
- August Lunch & Learn: Grant Writing Workshop (Wednesday, August 12 | Noon – 1:00 p.m.): Led by featured presenter Bridget Anderson of the popular crowdfunding and grant-matching platform Patronicity, this hands-on workshop will teach nonprofits, municipal groups, and local business owners how to turn big ideas into viable funding streams. Lunch is provided, but seating is strictly limited.
Connecting the Regional Workforce
Capping off the summer programming, the Martin County Alliance will team up directly with the Region 8 Workforce Development Board to host the Martin County Job Fair on Thursday, August 13, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The recruitment fair aims to seamlessly bridge the gap between local talent and regional employers across multiple key sectors, including logistics, defense contracting, hospitality, and healthcare.
Additional event details, vendor booth availability, and required RSVPs for individual workshops can be found directly on the official Martin County Alliance website at martinalliance.org or by contacting their main office at 812-295-4800.
