Indiana just designated two areas – one on the border of Louisville and the other in north central Indiana – as “talent regions.” It means local agencies are planning ways to turn existing residents into skilled workers while also attracting outside talent to fill local jobs.

Indiana now has 12 talent regions, with just two more regions that could earn the designation in the near future. All of them have tailored goals to grow the population, increase the amount of residents with education beyond high school, and increase the median household income.

Blair Milo, Career Connections and Talent secretary, said talent regions are also well positioned to apply for $50 million in state funding under the governor’s new, somewhat broader regional economic development initiative.

“There are absolutely the talent attraction and talent development components [that carry over], but there’s also a whole host of different pieces in the economic development and business growth section,” Milo said.

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The Kentuckiana region on the southeastern corner of the state is also set to be the first federally designated inter-state talent region.

Contact reporter Justin at jhicks@wvpe.org or follow him on Twitter at @Hicks_JustinM.