Jim Plump, executive director of Jackson County Industrial Development Corporation, was awarded the Lifetime Achievement in Economic Development award during the 50th anniversary celebration of the Indiana Economic Development Association on June 22nd in Indianapolis.
“It was a very nice honor … very humbling,” said Plump, who has served as director of JCIDC since the organization’s inception in 1984. “Over the years, I have been blessed to work for outstanding boards of directors and with great elected officials, plus market a terrific area of the State of Indiana … Jackson County. That’s a great combination for success.”
The award was one of three special honors presented during the event at the Indiana Roof Ballroom. Former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels and now President of Purdue University received the “Big Impact in Economic Development” award and Wendy Dant Chesser, President and CEO of One Southern Indiana in New Albany, was named “Economic Development Professional of the Next Half-Century”.
Plump’s award was presented by Seymour native Dan Brackemyre, who was a founding member of the organization when it was created as the Indiana Area Development Council. “That made the award even more special,” said Plump.
JCIDC is recognized as one of the top economic development organizations in the Midwest for work in attraction and retention of industries, and the creation of innovative programs to assist the business community, such as the Workforce Partnership.
After its formation in 1968, the statewide organization changed its name to the IEDA in 1992 and has grown to over 400 members. Plump served as the group’s president in 1999, and helped create the IEDA Foundation for educational purposes.