Local man named new

economic development director

By BILL RICHMOND

City editor

The Randolph County Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors Tuesday signed a contract naming Kevin Law as county economic development director. Law will replace Greg Beumer who announced his impending resignation in May.

A graduate of Randolph Southern High School and Ball State University, Law has a degree in urban planning and development. He said his desire to help revitalize small communities began with his experience as a young man growing up in Lynn.

"I am a living testament to Randolph County's effort to fight off brain drain," he said. "This is a very exciting position. You get to be involved in the community.

"I want to make a difference in small communities like those in Randolph County. I did an internship at this office a year ago and in the process I really took a shine to Greg Beumer and his ability to speak and to teach. He took me under his wing. I was so encouraged by all the things that were going on. This is not a dull place by any means."

He said one thing that drove home the point for him that Randolph County is ahead of the curve when to comes to economic development was last summer Union City was one of four communities selected to participate in the Indiana Rural Development Council's Rural Innovation Showcase.

"This is not just another dull rural area," he said. "Exciting things are happening, like the wind energy initiative and what's going on at PCI (the development of hybrid bus technology) - this is exciting stuff."

Law said his goals as economic development director include working to strengthen local ties between tourism and economic development and tourism and community development. He said he would also focus on collaboration with schools to train for jobs for the future and work to form a cohesive economic development effort and avoid a piecemeal effort.

"I think it's very important to strengthen the ties between economic development and tourism," he said. "They are so closely related and we are fortunate to have these two offices located in one building."

Law said Beumer has been a friend and a mentor for him.

"Greg is a tremendous asset," he said. "He's working to make this transition as seamless as possible. It's great that he's only a phone call away."

Beumer started as Randolph County Economic Development Director in January, 2006.