Tell Us What's Happening: A New Way for Grant County Businesses to Stay Connected

One of the most important parts of our work at the Grant County Economic Growth Council doesn't happen in board meetings or at conferences. It happens in conversations — with the business owners, entrepreneurs, and employers who drive this county's economy every day.

Those conversations shape everything we do. They tell us where to direct resources, which stories to elevate, and where the gaps are between what businesses need and what's available. But we also know that not every business owner has time to schedule a meeting, attend an event, or pick up the phone during a busy workday.

That's why we've added something new to our website: Tell Us What's Happening — Grant County Business Updates.

What It Is

The form is exactly what it sounds like — a simple, direct way for any business in Grant County to share what's going on. No appointment needed. No lengthy application. Just a few minutes to let us know about milestones you've reached, challenges you're facing, ways we might be able to help, or updates you think we should know about.

You can find it at the bottom of our Grant County Business page, found under the Grow tab on our website.

Why We're Asking

Economic development organizations are only as effective as the information they're working with. When we know what's happening on the ground — who's hiring, who's expanding, who's navigating a tough stretch — we can respond in real time instead of catching up after the fact.

Here's what your responses help us do:

Connect you with the right resources. If you're looking for workforce support, financing options, help navigating permits, or introductions to other businesses and partners, telling us is the first step. We work closely with organizations like the East Central Indiana Small Business Development Center, WorkOne, and a network of local and state partners — and we can't make those connections if we don't know what you need.

Tell Grant County's story accurately. When we report on business activity in Grant County — whether in our annual report, on our website, or to site selectors and investors evaluating our community — we want those numbers and narratives to reflect reality. Your input helps us get it right.

Celebrate what deserves celebrating. New hires, expansions, product launches, anniversaries, awards — these milestones matter, and they paint a picture of a county where businesses are growing and investing. We'd like to help share those wins, with your permission.

Identify patterns and respond to challenges. When multiple businesses report similar obstacles — workforce availability, supply chain pressure, infrastructure needs — that information strengthens our ability to advocate for Grant County at the regional and state level.

Who Should Fill It Out

Any business operating in Grant County. It doesn't matter whether you have two employees or two hundred, whether you're in Marion, Gas City, Fairmount, Jonesboro, or anywhere else in the county. Manufacturers, retailers, service providers, home-based businesses, nonprofits — if you're doing business here, we want to hear from you.

This isn't a one-time survey. The form is designed to be used whenever you have something to share. Had a strong quarter? Let us know. Struggling with a specific challenge? Let us know that, too. There's no wrong time to reach out.

What Happens with Your Responses

All responses are voluntary and confidential. We use the information for internal planning, storytelling, and reporting purposes. We will never share your business details publicly without your explicit permission — and the form includes an option to let us know whether you're open to being featured in Growth Council communications.

The Bigger Picture

With nearly half of all Grant County employers having fewer than five employees, small businesses form the backbone of this local economy. We know that. And we know that the challenges and successes of those businesses often go unnoticed by the broader community — not because they don't matter, but because no one asked.

Consider this us asking.

We're building something at the Growth Council that goes beyond traditional economic development reporting. We want an ongoing, two-way relationship with the businesses that make Grant County what it is. This form is one piece of that effort.

Take a few minutes to tell us what's happening. Your input helps us do better work — and it helps Grant County tell a more complete story about where we are and where we're headed.

The Grant County Economic Growth Council partners with businesses, entrepreneurs, and community organizations to promote economic vitality across Grant County, Indiana. To learn more about our programs and services — including our revolving loan funds, business consulting through the East Central Indiana SBDC, and available sites and properties — visit grantcounty.com.