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.
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 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