Hancock County Innovation and Education Center
Hancock County Innovation and Education Center
For many years, Hancock County and the leading employers within the county, such as Hancock Health, Ninestar Connect, and Hitachi Astemo have recognized a need for workforce development, higher education and on-going career training and development for the students and residents of Hancock County. With the continued growth and development around the county, County officials and business leaders believe now is the time to act in order to alleviate the current workforce shortage and provide Hancock County residents a place to learn, grow and develop within their chosen career.
A Steering Committee was formed in 2021 which includes representatives of the Hancock County Commissioners, Council, Redevelopment Commission and Economic Development, the Hancock County Community Foundation, Mt. Vernon Schools, Greenfield Central Schools, Eastern Hancock Schools, Southern Hancock Schools, Hancock Health, Ninestar Connect, Ivy Tech and others. The County has realized the importance of this project and is working with all parties to develop a project which meets the needs of the growing Hancock County community.
Leading the current effort, Hancock Health has retained the services of the Veridus Group to facilitate the project. The priority of the project is to create an integrated K-16+ workforce development ecosystem. A world-class, multi-use learning and innovation center fusing education, private industry and the community.
The project is currently being called the “Hancock County Innovation and Education Center” or HCIEC. The development concept includes a building which will be home to three separate, but connected areas:
1. Career Training Education (CTE) for the school districts of Hancock County (specifically geared toward grades 9 – 12)
2. Higher Education and professional development opportunities for residents (ie. Ivy Tech, Vincennes, others)
3. Private entity office/lab space innovation area/community gathering space
Special care will need to be given to the security of students and how the various spaces interact and work together to create an attractive, cohesive space for development and career advancement.