Daviess County Economic Development Corp. launches search for executive director, chairman assumes interim role

April 4, 2023

Previous Executive Director Bryant Niehoff to take new CEO post at Uplands Science and Technology Foundation.

WASHINGTON, Indiana – The board of the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) launched a new search for the position of Executive Director on April 4, following the announcement that current Executive Director Bryant Niehoff will depart to become CEO of the Uplands Science and Technology Foundation (USTF). DCEDC Board Chairman Eric Lane, President and CEO of First Federal Savings Bank of Washington, will temporarily assume a new role as interim DCEDC Executive Director.

“Given his success in building a collaborative economic development team and in facilitating positive business expansion in Daviess County, we certainly will miss Bryant,” said Lane. “We are grateful for his strategic efforts over the past four years, including his extensive work in helping to secure plans for the $385 million microelectronics campus in the WestGate@Crane Technology Park.”

Lane noted that DCEDC will continue to work closely with Niehoff in his new CEO role as the WestGate One microelectronics campus continues development in the Daviess County section of the tri-county certified technology park.

In addition to structuring public-private housing partnerships and strategic programs for business growth, rural broadband and other projects, Niehoff most recently led the collaborative creation of the $3.1 million Commons project, a multi-use facility in Washington.

“Construction plans and funding for the Commons are secure and we look forward to continuing to build out facilities and programming through the Our Common Heritage Campaign, which is already underway,” said Lane. “The Commons will fulfill its quality of place mission in elevating the city and county as a great place to work, live and play.”

Lane added that Niehoff’s professional training as a planner “will be a real asset to Daviess County as WestGate begins a major infrastructure upgrade funded by a $10 million READI grant, as well as beginning implementation of the established WestGate Master Plan.”

“When I accepted the offer to come to Daviess County in 2018, my family’s intent was to dig our roots in southern Indiana,” said Niehoff. “We were welcomed into the Daviess County community with open arms, and in this new role, I look forward to continuing to move Daviess County forward, even though I will now work up in the WestGate park instead of in Washington.”

Niehoff added that he was “perfectly happy” in his prior role as DCEDC Executive Director. “I wouldn’t be truthful if I didn’t say it was a challenging and emotional decision,” he said. “But I am very excited to be able to help WestGate and the Uplands region realize their potential through the growth of the park as a nationally recognized innovation community.”

The search process for the USTF CEO position involved selecting and interviewing several candidates. Tina Peterson, chair of the USTF board and President and CEO of Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI), said “WestGate is assuming an increasingly important role in the Indiana Uplands economy. It’s critical that USTF has a strong leader who can ensure that the park is ready to capitalize on the transformational opportunities that are at our door.” She added that Niehoff’s selection “brings significant expertise in land planning and placemaking, a natural ability to bring stakeholders together, and an intimate familiarity with WestGate and USTF.”

Lane said position requirements for the role of DCEDC executive director will be posted on the DCEDC website (https://developdaviess.com/). “Daviess County is an exciting and fulfilling place to live and we look forward to securing a high-performing successor for the position,” he said.

Niehoff is scheduled to assume his new role as CEO of USTF on May 1.

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About the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation

As a private/public partnership for county-wide economic development, the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) is working to build a foundation for a better tomorrow in the communities within Daviess County, Indiana.  A founding organization of the WestGate @ Crane Technology Park, DCEDC's mission is to improve the standard of living in Daviess County by expanding and diversifying the economic base, promoting quality employment opportunities, and enhancing the overall quality of place. For more information, please visit www.developdaviess.com