Our communities are growing and so are their needs. Among those requirements: reliable utilities. Power companies, like Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), have an essential role, serving as critical partners in economic development. From driving collaboration to identifying resources, the right team is essential.
Look outside. The expansion of new businesses in your community have likely contributed to the availability of new jobs and resources, but this didn’t happen overnight. The right tools are critical for success – and in this case, so are the right people. The Economic and Business Development team at American Electric Power (AEP) understands that when our communities grow, we grow as a company.
Helping further drive that growth is Jill Scicchitano, manager of Economic and Business Development. Upon joining the team in July, she has quickly been igniting new opportunities for collaboration. With this team often serving as one of the earliest points of communication for organizations looking to expand, strategic collaboration is critical.
“Much of what our team is able to do is dependent upon the partnerships we are able to build,” said Scicchitano. “As a company, we bring experience, data, resources and a broad perspective to help our local partners achieve their community growth objectives.”
The Economic and Business Development team works alongside local, regional and state organizations to understand the unique needs of businesses and how meeting those needs can impact communities. This includes current efforts to provide resources and technical assistance to communities advancing new industrial sites to attract employers, which increases job opportunities and available resources.
And the hard work is paying off. In September, AEP was named one of the nation’s Top Utilities in Economic Development by Site Selection magazine. This annual evaluation highlights utilities’ involvement and support of corporate project investment and creation of new jobs on a cumulative and per-capita basis. Locally, this has been demonstrated through an increased demand in reliable services and resources offered within I&M’s territories by various industries – and there is no sign of a slowdown anytime soon.
Learn more about the work this team is doing in Indiana and Michigan - and beyond - by visiting the AEP economic development website.