New Alliance Boosts Evansville Economic Development Efforts

Ports of Indiana and the Evansville Regional Economic Development Partnership (E-REP) are joining forces in an effort to expand trade and economic development for the Evansville region and the state of Indiana.

The strategic alliance, announced August 21, establishes multiple collaborative initiatives, including the creation of a shared leadership position and the potential for Ports of Indiana to join E-REP’s board of directors.

The Evansville region is home to the state’s largest port, Ports of Indiana-Mount Vernon, which contributes more than $1 billion in annual economic impacts to the state economy, according to Ports of Indiana.

Jenna Richardt, who has been serving as the chief regional economic development officer for E-REP, will serve in a shared leadership role to coordinate collaborative efforts between the organizations as part of the transition. Richardt’s job duties have included spending the last five years attracting business to the Evansville region, including Ports of Indiana-Mount Vernon. Going forward, Richardt will become senior vice president of business development and engagement for Ports of Indiana. While she will be based in Mount Vernon, she will have a statewide focus on growing all of Indiana’s ports.

Throughout the transition, Richardt will maintain offices at E-REP headquarters in Evansville and also at Ports of Indiana in Mount Vernon.

“We are thrilled to partner with Ports of Indiana and to have a top economic developer like Jenna expanding her focus to drive economic growth in our region and throughout the state,“ Tara Barney, CEO of E-REP, said. “The Mount Vernon port is a hidden gem for this region that has untapped potential to power additional growth in this region’s logistics, manufacturing, agriculture and energy sectors, and Ports of Indiana will be a powerful partner to help us explore new trade and development opportunities.”

As part of the collaboration, Ports of Indiana will formally join E-REP as a “Torchbearer Partner,” engage with the E-REP board of directors on key events and serve as a key adviser to E-REP on regional freight, international trade and Ohio River issues.

“We view the Evansville region and our Mount Vernon port as critical priorities for future economic growth in this state,” Ports of Indiana CEO Jody Peacock said. “This region has tremendous logistics advantages, including the country’s busiest inland port district, access to five Class I railroads, the median center of the U.S. population and the soon-to-be-completed I-69 super corridor that will connect Canada to Mexico. We are thrilled to partner with E-REP and have someone of Jenna’s caliber stationed here to lead our business development efforts in this region and across the state.” 

Ports of Indiana operates two ports on the Ohio River in Jeffersonville and Mount Vernon, and one on Lake Michigan in Portage/Burns Harbor.