On Tuesday, Nov. 8 the board of directors for the Hamilton County Economic Development Corporation (dba Invest Hamilton County) promoted Mike Thibideau to president & chief executive officer for the organization. Thibideau has served as vice president of workforce strategy since 2021. Invest Hamilton County is unique as a Local Economic Development Organization (LEDO) in that it exclusively focuses on workforce development and quality of life priorities within the community.
The board of directors also launched an updated Mission and Vision for the organization:
Mission: Empower the economic vitality of the residents, businesses, and communities of Hamilton County by attracting, retaining, and supporting talent.
Vision: Hamilton County is a community that competes for top-tier talent on a national scale, supports and retains its employers and workforce and ranks as one of the best places to live and work in America.
“This updated Mission and Vision, and the team we have supporting them, are aligned in their people-first focus,” said Megan Baumgartner, Director of Economic and Community Development for the City of Fishers and Invest Hamilton County Board Chair.
Since Thibideau joined staff in 2021 some notable new Invest Hamilton County programs include mental health education and resources for local businesses, facilitation of broadband expansion within the community, a new AI-driven Career Explorer, innovative research and training programs for the local hospitality industry, and the launch of Hamilton County’s new CTE District, The Pursuit Institute.
“Hamilton County is a community that is driven by collaboration, innovation and talent,” said Christine Altman, County Commissioner and Invest Hamilton County Treasurer, “this is an organization that has those values at its heart and as such is positioned well to assist the County as we continue to grow and thrive.”
Prior to 2021 Thibideau served as Director of Indiana Workforce Recovery at the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. Invest Hamilton County is staffed through an operating partnership with Hamilton County Tourism, where Thibideau will continue to also serve as vice president of workforce strategy. He begins his new role immediately.
