EDC of Wayne County Indiana

What EDC of Wayne County Indiana does

The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) of Wayne County, Indiana is a private, non-profit economic development organization established in 1993 and headquartered in Richmond, Indiana. It serves as the contracted economic development agency for Wayne County, the City of Richmond, and six county towns (Cambridge City, Centerville, Economy, Hagerstown, Milton, and Mt. Auburn). The EDC's primary customers are site selectors, manufacturing companies (plastics, food processing, automotive components, metal fabrication, machine tool & die), distribution and logistics firms, existing local businesses, and municipal partners. It provides site selection assistance, industrial park marketing for two parks (Midwest Industrial Park in Richmond and Gateway Industrial Park in Cambridge City, totaling 500 acres with 162 acres shovel-ready), workforce development coordination through Eastern Indiana Works and Ivy Tech, and navigation of state and local incentive programs (EDIT grants, tax abatements, TIF, Opportunity Zones, FTZ access). Digital tools are limited to third-party GIS platforms (Beacon Local Government GIS, Pictometry Online) for site evaluation.

The EDC is funded almost entirely through Wayne County's Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT), adopted in 1992 and generating approximately $2.3 million annually. Half is allocated to industrial park development, economic development incentives, and EDC operations; the other half is returned to contributing communities. A five-person staff (President, Business and Workforce Development Manager, Economic Development Manager, Marketing and Communications Manager, and Office Manager) operates under a volunteer Board of Directors appointed by county, city, and town officials. The organization does not charge fees for its services and adds no commercial revenue line; its model is essentially a publicly-funded, government-chartered business attraction and retention entity.

Beginning in 2025, the EDC has expanded its mandate beyond industrial recruitment into housing and neighborhood revitalization. Programs include the Housing Accelerator Program (82 single-family homes built in 2025), the $26M Hidden Valley development with Trademark Construction, the Vaile Neighborhood Revitalization ($1.12M READI 2.0), the Starr Neighborhood initiative, a Downtown Revitalization Grant Program launched in June 2026, and a $30M historic downtown redevelopment partnership with Earlham College and AP Development LLC. Awards include 2025 Nonprofit of the Year from the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce and Top 50 Economic Developer recognition for President Valerie Shaffer (Consultant Connect, 2016).

Name

EDC of Wayne County Indiana

Legal name

Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County, Indiana

Website

https://whywaynecounty.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County, Indiana is a non-profit, publicly-funded economic development organization that provides site selection, industrial park marketing, workforce development, and incentive program assistance to manufacturers, logistics firms, and municipalities across Wayne County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Administration of Economic Programs (9261), Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (92615)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN)

Keywords

• Economic development services
• Site selection assistance
• Industrial park marketing
• Workforce development programs
• Business incentive programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Richmond

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT): The organization is funded through the county's economic development income tax (EDIT), which generates approximately $2.3 million annually. Half of revenue is used for industrial park development, economic development project incentives, and EDC operating expenses. The other half is returned to various Wayne County communities for local projects.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) of Wayne County provides site selection assistance to manufacturing and distribution companies, markets two industrial parks (Midwest Industrial Park in Richmond and Gateway Industrial Park in Cambridge City), coordinates workforce training and placement programs, and helps businesses access state and local incentive programs including EDIT grants, tax abatements, TIF financing, and Opportunity Zone investments.

Product overview

EDC of Wayne County Indiana is an economic development organization, not a technology product company. The organization provides economic development services as a unified offering rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. Core services include business development and site selection assistance for companies interested in locating or expanding in Wayne County, marketing of two industrial parks (Midwest Industrial Park and Gateway Industrial Park), workforce development program coordination, and incentive program assistance at state and local levels. Additional services include demographic and economic data provision, GIS mapping tools for site evaluation, and small business entrepreneurship support through partnerships with organizations like Main Street Richmond and the Small Business Development Center.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Business Development Services Core economic development services including site selection assistance, working with site consultants and company representatives interested in locating in Wayne County, and helping existing companies grow and succeed.
• Industrial Park Marketing Marketing of two industrial parks - Midwest Industrial Park in Richmond and Gateway Industrial Park in Cambridge City - as well as assisting in marketing available buildings and sites across Wayne County.
• Workforce Development Programs Connecting employers with workforce training resources including Eastern Indiana Works, Ivy Tech Community College, Power Up Indiana, and Purdue University Manufacturing Extension Partnership.
• Incentive Program Assistance Assisting businesses with state and local incentive programs including EDIT grants, tax abatements, Tax Increment Financing (TIF), Opportunity Zones, and various loan programs.
• Economic Data and Demographics Providing demographic data, workforce statistics, cost of living information, and labor market analysis for site selection and business planning purposes.
• GIS Mapping Platforms Interactive GIS viewing tools including Beacon Local Government GIS (aerial view of the county) and Pictometry Online (oblique views) for site and property evaluation by prospective businesses.

Quantifiable outcome

• Consistently ranked in top 25 micropolitans in Indiana
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Wayne County CommissionerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe organization is under contract for economic development services with the Wayne County Commissioners. The EDC receives funding through the county's EDIT tax and collaborates on economic development projects and initiatives.
• Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level economic development agency that provides investments to encourage job creation and company growth. The EDC helps companies access state programs including grants, workforce training, tax credits, and business tools.
• Eastern Indiana Works (EIW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development organization providing assistance with education, training, resumes, interviewing skills, and support services to help people find employment. Serves employers and job seekers in Wayne County.
• Ivy Tech Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndiana's Community College serving Wayne County through the Richmond campus. Offers over 70 programs and provides customized skills training for local workers. Works directly with employers to align programs with market demand.
• Purdue University Manufacturing Extension PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides high value, affordable solutions to help businesses increase profitability and productivity. Leverages resources in public and private sectors to help identify areas of improvement.
• INzone (Greater Indianapolis Foreign Trade Zone)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerManages the Central Indiana Foreign Trade Zone under the authority of the Indianapolis Airport Authority. Provides FTZ benefits to Wayne County companies doing business internationally.
• City of RichmondcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe City of Richmond co-owns and collaborates on the Midwest Industrial Park. Richmond contributes EDIT proceeds and participates in county-wide economic development through 4-year contracts.
• Cambridge City, Centerville, Economy, Hagerstown, Milton, Mt. AuburncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWayne County towns under contract for economic development services. These municipalities contribute half of their EDIT proceeds on a yearly basis for county-wide economic development initiatives.
• Main Street RichmondminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate, community-based organization focused on enriching Richmond's downtown through coordinating with government, property and business owners. Provides Resource Center for meetings and co-working space.
• East Central Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorks with start-up and existing small businesses seeking financial, management, and technical assistance. Provides one-on-one consulting, training, seminars, and networking opportunities.
• Wayne County Area Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAppoints 3 members to the EDC Board of Directors. Collaborates on economic development initiatives and business support programs in Wayne County.
• Japan-America Society of Indiana (JASI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNot-for-profit cultural and educational organization serving as a bridge of friendship between Indiana and Japan. EDC is a member and supports the organization.
• Norfolk SouthernminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClass I railroad operating 25 miles of major north-south rail in Wayne County and 1,400 miles throughout Indiana. Provides freight rail service to industrial areas.
• CSXminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClass I railroad providing 1,900 miles of track throughout Indiana with an intermodal facility in Indianapolis. Enhances connectivity in Wayne County.
• Home in WayneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTalent recruitment initiative focused on attracting individuals and families to live and work in Wayne County. Serves as comprehensive resource for employers to share with job candidates.
• Trademark Construction LLCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper leading the Hidden Valley housing development in partnership with EDC's Housing Accelerator Program, representing $26 million investment in Wayne County.
• Earlham College (Revitalize Richmond)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in $30 million downtown Richmond revitalization project targeting five historic properties. Partnership includes EDC, City of Richmond, and AP Development LLC.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves15 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC): Indiana's state-level economic development agency providing grants, workforce training, and tax credits. Directly comparable to EDC of Wayne County, but at state scale — EDC of Wayne County funnels companies into IEDC's incentive programs.
• REDI Cincinnati (Regional Economic Development Initiative): Regional economic development organization for the Cincinnati MSA, which directly borders Wayne County, Indiana. Competes for many of the same manufacturing and distribution site-selection projects along the I-70 corridor.
• Dayton Development Coalition: Regional economic development nonprofit serving the Dayton, Ohio metro, located within an hour of Wayne County. Competes head-to-head for advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and logistics projects in the same I-70 corridor.
• Greater Indianapolis Chamber / Indy Partnership: Indianapolis regional economic development organization promoting central Indiana as a business location. Wayne County's EDC shares the same state incentive stack but competes for talent and capital investment versus the much larger Indianapolis region.
• JobsOhio: Ohio's private nonprofit economic development corporation that markets the state to site selectors. Adjacent competitor to Wayne County's EDC for site-selection projects given the close proximity and overlapping logistics corridors.
• Greater Louisville Economic Development Partnership: Regional economic development organization covering the Louisville metro area. Comparable in mission (site selection, workforce, incentives) and in competing for logistics-driven investment along I-65/I-71 corridors serving Wayne County-adjacent markets.
• Missouri Partnership: Public-private economic development organization promoting Missouri for business location and expansion. Comparable as a state/regional marketing entity offering site selection services and competing with Indiana EDCs for reshoring/manufacturing capital.

Regional players

• Greater Richmond Partnership (Virginia): Economic development organization serving the Richmond, Virginia metro. Comparable in scale, mission, and rural/urban mix to EDC of Wayne County Indiana, though operating in a different geographic market — useful as a size-and-structure benchmark for a small, municipally-funded EDC.

Others

• Site Selectors Guild: Industry association of professional site selection consultants that EDC of Wayne County actively engages through its GTM motion. Indirect peer/ecosystem participant governing deal flow and best practices for EDCs nationally.
• Area Development Magazine: Industry publication that publishes the annual "Cost of Doing Business" rankings cited by the company. Adjacent/ecosystem participant shaping site-selection competitive dynamics between regional EDCs like Wayne County's.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/EDCofWayneCo
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCO63oV6ltgq2S1tasbcVz4A
• Facebookfacebook.com/Brightside-868828606569050
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/economic-development-corporation-of-wayne-county-in

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about EDC of Wayne County Indiana