In East Central Indiana, talent isn’t just something we recruit—it’s something we grow.

That belief is on full display in Fayette County Economic Development’s recent rebrand, a project that brought together community leadership and student creativity in a way that reflects the future of our region.

A Fresh Identity Rooted in Community

For years, the organization operated as the Connersville Economic Development Group. But as its mission evolved, leadership saw an opportunity to better reflect the full community it serves.

“We felt a freshen up of our name to include Fayette County and Connersville was needed,” said Brad Colter, CEO/President. “I also wanted a more modern—not photoshopped—icon to represent our organization.”

The result is a refreshed identity that aligns more clearly with both place and purpose—one that signals growth, inclusivity, and forward momentum.

Powered by Student Creativity

What makes this rebrand especially meaningful is how it came to life.

Instead of outsourcing the work, Colter partnered with students from the Whitewater Career Center’s marketing and design program—giving them the opportunity to work on a real-world project with real community impact.

The process started with initial ideas and direction from leadership. From there, students took those concepts and transformed them into fully developed branding proposals.

“I gave them initial ideas, and they gave me formulated ideas that were developed into the final product,” Colter shared.

The experience offered students more than just a classroom assignment—it gave them a seat at the table.

Learning Goes Both Ways

For Colter, the partnership was just as impactful.

“Working with the students was a lot of fun and definitely eye-opening for me about how they saw our organization.”

That perspective matters.

Students bring a fresh lens—one shaped by emerging trends, digital fluency, and a deep understanding of how their generation connects with brands and communities. By inviting that perspective into the process, Fayette County Economic Development didn’t just update its look—it gained insight into how to better communicate its mission moving forward.

A Model for Talent Development in East Central Indiana

This collaboration is a strong example of what’s possible when education and industry align.

Programs like those at Whitewater Career Center are doing more than teaching skills—they’re preparing students to contribute meaningfully to their communities right now. And when local organizations engage with those students, it creates a powerful cycle:

• Students gain hands-on, portfolio-worthy experience
• Organizations benefit from fresh ideas and local insight
• Communities strengthen their pipeline of future talent

It’s exactly the kind of partnership that helps regions like ours grow from within.

Looking Ahead

As Fayette County Economic Development moves forward with its new identity, it carries more than a new name and logo—it carries the fingerprints of the next generation.

And that’s something worth building on.

Why It Matters

At Forge ECI, we believe the future of our region depends on creating opportunities for students to see themselves here—not just someday, but today.

Projects like this show that when we invest in local talent, we’re not just shaping careers—we’re shaping communities.