When IPIC undertook strategic planning in 2005, its Board of Directors identified four core values - customer service, innovation, accountability and integrity - that underlie every organizational decision we make. Will a proposed action, project or expenditure help our business and job seeker customers in a meaningful way? Will it enhance our community's ability to address problems? Will it lead to a new and better way of doing things? Is it financially sound? And is it the honest, ethical and morally sound decision?

Our subsequent work seems to have added another item to that list: IPIC believes strongly in the value of partnerships. We believe that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts, and this philosophy has just as assuredly played a role in our work as the core values. It has led IPIC to facilitate collaboration among regional businesses, educational institutions, economic development leaders and community- and faith-based organizations in our highly successful strategic initiatives - initiatives that develop a skilled workforce, improve the regional economy and make our community a better place to live and work.

IPIC, its board members and its staff face each day with an attitude of public service and excellence that, we hope, will make a difference in the lives of thousands of Marion County residents.