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From left to right: Jamie Neal, president of Knox County Chamber of Commerce; Kirk Bouchie, Vincennes Water Utilities manager; Chris Pfaff, CEO of Knox County Indiana Economic Development; Phil Reinbrecht, president of Simplified Developments; Joe Yochum, Vincennes mayor; and Steve Blinn with the Vincennes Redevelopment Commission gather to shovel the first bit of dirt for [...]

By Chris Pfaff (This article originally appeared on Inside Indiana Business) For government and business leaders alike, the numbers are challenging. In addition to sufficient capital, an available and qualified workforce represent key factors in growing a region. Indiana and many other states face the dual challenges of an aging workforce and – with few exceptions [...]

Sharing a comprehensive snapshot of the state’s economic vitality and collaborative spirit, Gerry Dick, founder and host of Inside Indiana Business, provided statewide insights before moderating a panel discussion of area leaders at the May 7 Knox County Indiana Economic Development Annual Meeting. Following is a summary of Gerry Dick’s remarks, together with additional comments from the panelists, who [...]

Economic development professionals and civic leaders will receive hands-on training in June to explore and accelerate AI use in better marketing Knox County and attracting business and investment to the region, according to Chris Pfaff, CEO of Knox County Indiana Economic Development. “AI can serve as a force multiplier for our staff and area professionals [...]

National retail innovation originating in Vincennes – family descendants John Gimbel, Barbara Gimbel, and Robin Gimbel Senior,  joined local and state officials at the traditional Gimbel Corner at 2nd and Main Street in Vincennes for the dedication of a Gimbels historical marker May 16. The marker commemorated the original Gimbels store established by Bavarian Jewish immigrants Adam [...]

TerraForce founder and CEO Mike Jacob explains the potential transformational impact of AI-powered harvesting and planting innovations. (Photo courtesy of The Pantheon)   Knox County’s growing reputation as a strategic hub of ag tech innovation was raised another new notch with the formal announcement of the TerraForce this Spring. The Vincennes-based AI-focused startup scored $375,000 in funding from [...]

EVANSVILLE – A broad spectrum of diverse demand for a wide variety of professionals and professional services exists in southern Indiana, representing an array of actionable growth opportunities and potential market development. These opportunities were recently strategically documented in a comprehensive report funded by the Community Foundation Alliance and the Harrison County Community Foundation. The [...]

Setting the Bar - “Better in Bicknell” Growth, opportunity and transformation in the Knox County town of Bicknell was on deck in the January 2025 issue of Business View magazine, a national publication that covers manufacturing, infrastructure, energy and health care developments in America. In an interview, Mayor Thomas Estabrook noted that the town has embraced the [...]

German federal officials open International Green Week on Jan. 16, 2025, the world’s largest consumer fair for the food, agricultural, and horticultural industries. (Photos by Chris Pfaff)   BERLIN, Germany -- Agricultural issues, rural development, and energy topics led the agenda for a multi-day economic deep dive in Berlin, Germany in mid-January 2025. Chris Pfaff, [...]

By Chris Pfaff, CEO, Knox County Indiana Economic Development   What’s on deck for 2025? While short-term recession fears for the United States have abated, local, and regional economic development continue to face alternating  challenges and opportunities.  Adopting a thoughtful, well-rounded economic development strategy can build resilience and growth in our economies. What does that [...]