THROUGH AN INITIAL GRANT THROUGH LILLY ENDOWMENT INC., THE ORGANIZATION IS IMPLEMENTING AN EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE PLAN AND REGIONAL OPPORTUNITY FUND FOR QUALITY-OF-PLACE INVESTMENTS. THEY ARE DEPLOYING A PLAN FOCUSED ON CONNECTING EDUCATION TO INDUSTRY AND CREATING A LOCAL WORKFORCE THAT IS PREPARED FOR THE DEMANDS OF EMPLOYERS. AS PART OF THIS EFFORT, ROI IS CONDUCTING A COMPREHENSIVE AND ONGOING OCCUPATIONAL NEEDS ASSESSMENT WITHIN THE REGION, INITIALLY FOCUSED ON LIFE SCIENCES, ADVANCED MANUFACTURING AND NATIONAL SECURITY AND DEFENSE SECTORS. THE RESULTS OF THE OCCUPATIONAL NEEDS ASSESSMENT HELPS INFORM A WIDE RANGE OF INITIATIVES AND STRATEGIES THAT ARE DEPLOYED ACROSS THE 11 COUNTY REGION.