The Midwest Flourish

Inside the Orthopedic Capital of the World: Talent, Innovation & Community w/ Allyn Decker | EP. 20

Warsaw, Indiana may look like a small Midwestern community, but it’s home to one of the most powerful medical device ecosystems in the world.
 
In this episode of The Midwest Flourish, host Rick Farrant sits down with Dr. Allyn Decker, Vice President of Operations & Engagement at OrthoWorx, to explore how Warsaw became known as the Orthopedic Capital of the World and how leaders are working to ensure it stays that way. With one-third of global orthopedic device revenue tied to the region, OrthoWorx plays a critical role in:
- Building a long-term talent pipeline (K–12, higher ed, and workforce)
- Driving innovation in orthopedics and medtech
- Investing in quality-of-life initiatives to attract and retain top talent
- Strengthening community infrastructure, housing, and amenities
 
Other highlighted topics:
- Virtual reality career exploration for students
- Manufacturing and CNC career pathways
- Smart implants, robotics, AI, and bio-compatible materials
- A potential $165M NSF grant that could transform Indiana’s musculoskeletal research ecosystem
- Why community development is essential to economic sustainability
 
This conversation is a must-watch for anyone interested in economic development, workforce strategy, advanced manufacturing, healthcare innovation, and the future of the Midwest.
 
To learn more about The Midwest Flourish Podcast visit: marketingthemidwest.com

Growing the Next Workforce: Park Ginder on How Communities Can Help Young People Flourish | EP. 19

How do communities help young people thrive beyond high school? On this episode of The Midwest Flourish, host Rick Farrant sits down with Park Ginder, Ph.D, former school superintendent and now Executive Director of Grow Allen in Allen County, Indiana. Grow Allen connects education, business, and industry to open real-world opportunities for students, from workforce tours to internships to career-aligned training. But beyond credentials and job skills, today’s young people face deeper challenges: motivation, structure, academic readiness, and finding what they actually love to do.
Hightlighted Topics:
• How business-school partnerships expand career awareness
• Why talent development requires a long-term view
• The myth of “high-wage, high-demand” as the only path
• How family structure and time shape success
• Ways to reignite curiosity and imagination in students
Whether you're an educator, employer, parent, or simply someone who cares about the future of our region — this episode will challenge and inspire you. Want to dig deeper or get involved? Visit MarketingTheMidwest.com

The Entrepreneurial Mindset: Risk, Purpose & Reinventions w/ Dr. Andrew Roberts | EP. 18

What does it really take to be an entrepreneur?
In this episode of The Midwest Flourish, host Rick Farrant sits down with Dr. Andrew Roberts, a practicing physician, entrepreneur, and chair of the SCORE Northeast Indiana leadership team.
Dr. Roberts shares:
- his unconventional path from medicine to entrepreneurship
- why he launched and exited a successful addiction recovery business
- the core traits entrepreneurs MUST have - the hurdles new founders face (and how to overcome them)
- how SCORE provides free business mentoring
- why uncertainty may STILL be the best time to start a business
Whether you’re dreaming of a startup, actively building one, or looking to give back to the entrepreneurial community, this episode delivers insights, perspective, and practical value.

Education and Opportunity -- Connecting the Dots with Adam Welch | EP. 17

How can a community build a sustainable workforce while keeping its economy growing?
In this episode of The Midwest Flourish, host Rick Farrant talks with Adam Welch, Vice President of Economic Development at Greater Fort Wayne Inc., about the Made By Me initiative — a powerful collaboration between educators, employers, and students aimed at closing the skilled trades gap in Allen County, Indiana.
Adam shares how Fort Wayne’s business community is addressing workforce shortages, engaging schools, and preparing young people for careers in manufacturing, construction, and beyond. From teacher externships to hands-on student outreach, Made By Me is connecting the dots between education and opportunity.
Highlighted Topics:
- Why employer involvement is key to solving the talent crisis
- How automation and AI are reshaping local industries
- What it takes to attract and retain businesses in a growing Midwest metro Whether you’re an educator, employer, or civic leader, this episode offers practical insights into regional growth, workforce innovation, and community collaboration.
Learn more about Made By Me and Greater Fort Wayne, Inc. at greaterfortwayneinc.com

Bob Quick on How Commerce Lexington Connects Communities to Prosper Together | EP. 16

How does a region truly grow its workforce, economy, and sense of community? For Bob Quick, President and CEO of Commerce Lexington, it comes down to two things: connection and trust. In this episode of The Midwest Flourish, host Rick Farrant explores how Lexington, Kentucky, a region known for its horses, bourbon, and bluegrass pride, is also a model for collaboration, talent attraction, and entrepreneurship. Quick explains how a nine-county competitiveness plan brought together public and private leaders, why telling your story matters as much as workforce strategy, and how Lexington’s partnerships are tackling housing, education, and innovation head-on.
 
Highlighted Topics:
- Building trust across a nine-county region
-Talent attraction and retention strategies
- Entrepreneurship and workforce readiness
- Housing affordability and collaborative solutions
- The role of storytelling in regional development

How to Win Government Contracts: Insights from APEX Accelerator Counselor Jeff Andelin | EP. 15

Getting a government contract can feel impossible, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of The Midwest Flourish, host Rick Farrant sits down with Jeff Andelin, Northeast Indiana’s APEX Accelerator Counselor, to uncover how businesses can navigate the complex world of federal, state, and local contracting. Jeff explains what APEX Accelerators are, how they’re funded by the Department of Defense, and how they help small businesses from manufacturers to innovators compete for lucrative contracts. You’ll learn how trust, persistence, and performance play into success, and why even small wins can transform your company’s future.
Highlight Topics:
- What APEX Accelerators are and how they help businesses enter the government marketplace
- Why the Department of Defense oversees APEX
- The size and scope of the opportunity: federal, state, and local contracting landscapes
- How APEX partners with SBDCs, WBCs, SBA, and ecosystem navigators
- Biggest entry barriers: “past performance,” finding the right buyer, and strict compliance
- Fair competition in practice: DLA e-bids and automated awards; protest avenues
- Proposal reviews APEX can provide (requirements alignment) and what they don’t
- Contract structures: base period + option years; funding risks and terminations for convenience
- Measurement & accountability: supplier risk/performance systems and why metrics matter
- Set-asides & certifications
- Market realities: slow timelines, cyclical programs, and why patience + persistence win
- Success stories
- How to connect with a counselor: IN-specific portal (inapex.org) and national locator (apexaccelerators.us)

Lauren Buchanan on Workforce, Housing and Talent in Van Wert County | EP. 14

What does it take for a rural Midwest community to thrive in today’s workforce landscape? In this episode of The Midwest Flourish, host Rick Farrant sits down with Lauren Buchanan, Workforce Development Manager for Van Wert Works, to explore how Van Wert County, Ohio is tackling some of the biggest challenges facing rural America. Lauren shares candid insights about changing perceptions of vocational training, building stronger employer–school partnerships, and creating a sense of community that keeps talent rooted in the region.
Highlighted Topics:
- Affordable housing as a workforce issue
- Learn & Return initiatives to bring young talent back home
- Relocation incentives that help employers recruit top talent from out of state
- The growing importance of soft skills and upskilling for adults
- How career tech education and healthcare expansion are reshaping opportunities for students
-The role of agriculture, automation, and STEM in attracting the next generation
 
Learn more about empowering communities to flourish at marketingthemidwest.com

Rosalina Perez on how the NIIC's Women's Business Center Helps Businesses Start & Grow | EP. 13

Women often face unique hurdles when starting or growing a business—access to capital, caregiving demands, cultural barriers, and the inner work of valuing your own expertise. In this episode of The Midwest Flourish, Rosalina Perez, Director of the Women’s Business Center at the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center (NIIC), shares a practical playbook: 1:1 coaching, skill-building workshops, and warm handoffs to credible regional and national resources. She also talks about serving Spanish-speaking founders and how to test an idea with real customers.
Highlighted Topics:
- What NIIC’s Women’s Business Center actually does (coaching, workshops, connections)
- The territory it serves (Northeast Indiana) and who it serves (women—and men, too)
- Real success stories
- Why mindset and risk tolerance matter as much as money
- How to navigate permits, funding options, and a changing economy
- Update since recording: the Women’s Business Center has been invited to apply for new SBA funding and, together with other funding sources, expects to continue operating at full capacity.

Change Happens on the Front Porch: Dan Baisden on How Fort Wayne Builds Strong Neighborhoods | EP.12

How do you rebuild trust, spark civic engagement, and make neighborhood planning actually work? Dan Baisden, Director of Fort Wayne’s Department of Neighborhoods, shares the city’s “embedded planning” approach—meeting residents on front porches, at coffee shops, and in grocery aisles to co-create small wins that add up. We talk civic vs. HOA associations, recruiting local champions, funding projects, public art’s real economic impact, and why social capital is the engine of workforce and community development.
 
Guest: Dan Baisden, Director, Department of Neighborhoods, City of Fort Wayne
Host: Rick Farrant, The Midwest Flourish
 
Highlighted Topics
- “Embedded planning” (front-porch conversations over top-down plans)
- Re-launching and sustaining neighborhood associations
- Trust-building: show up, listen first, deliver small wins - Funding beyond city grants (grants, donors, self-sufficiency)
- Public art & placemaking: measuring foot traffic and linger time
- Social capital as a bridge to jobs, safety, and quality of life 
Listen, share, and get involved: MarketingTheMidwest.com
#EconomicDevelopment #CommunityDevelopment #Neighborhoods #FortWayne #Placemaking #ABCD #CivicEngagement #MidwestFlourish #podcast #midwest

Marie Mackintosh On How EmployIndy is Shaping Indiana’s Workforce | EP. 11

In this episode of The Midwest Flourish, host Rick Farrant sits down with Marie Mackintosh, President & CEO of EmployIndy, the largest nonprofit regional workforce development organization in Indiana. Marie shares how EmployIndy is redefining talent development vs. workforce development, bridging gaps in K–12 and postsecondary education, and creating experiential learning opportunities through its Talent Bound initiative—engaging thousands of students with internships, apprenticeships, and job shadowing.
Highlighted Topics
- Why employers must view talent-building as a long-term strategy
- The Good Wages Initiative and how fair pay drives community growth
- Challenges in adult upskilling and building confidence for career changers
- Navigating diversity, equity, and inclusion in today’s environment
- How funding diversity makes EmployIndy a national model Whether you’re an employer, educator, or community leader, this conversation offers practical insights into building stronger talent pipelines and creating opportunities for all.
Learn more at MarketingTheMidwest.com
#MidwestFlourish #WorkforceDevelopment #TalentDevelopment #EmployIndy #EconomicDevelopment #GoodJobs #careerpathways #midwest #podcast #economicdevelopment #careerdevelopment #midwestflourish #workforcedevelopment #professionaldevelopment #indiana #midwest