Regional Opportunity Initiatives

06/04/2026

The story behind the signatures. ✍️✨
Together, we’re building strong talent pipelines in the .

Last week’s UpSkill Work & Learn Signing Day was not just ROI's largest yet. It marked a milestone five years in the making. 60 students. 28 employers. One shared commitment to building the future of the Uplands workforce.

Strong employer partnerships, hands-on opportunities, and students who are ready to launch meaningful careers right here at home. Read the full story to learn what makes UpSkill work: https://regionalopportunityinc.org/.../upskill-hits-new.../ 🚀

For the last five years, the Regional Opportunities Initiatives (ROI) UpSkill Work & Learn apprenticeship program has helped guide students to career paths in the Indiana Uplands and provide employers a talent pipeline. In its first year, UpSkill launched with 27 students and 12 employers. The fifth...

06/02/2026

The smiles say it all. ✨📸

ROI’s UpSkill Work & Learn apprenticeship program had its BIGGEST signing day yet last week, bringing together 60 students and 28 employers. A perfect way to celebrate five years of launching careers in the Indiana Uplands and building a strong talent pipeline.
From proud parents and employers to those first signatures, the excitement was real.

Take a look inside the moment these futures began. 🚀

Learn more: https://regionalopportunityinc.org/2026/06/01/upskill-hits-new-high-with-60-apprentices-in-milestone-signing-day/

05/21/2026

ROI is hiring! Supported by funding from the Indiana Department of Education, this Career Coach will work as an ROI team member within the Monroe County Community School Corporation from August 2026 through June 2027 as part of a regional initiative to prepare students for post-secondary and career success. The position works with ROI, students, school staff, employers, and community partners to deliver personalized career guidance, expand work-based learning, and build employer connections—all to prepare young people for meaningful career pathways.

ROI is hiring! Supported by funding from the Indiana Department of Education, this Career Coach will work as an ROI team member within the Monroe County Community School Corporation from August 2026 through June 2027 as part of a regional initiative to prepare students for post-secondary and career....

05/21/2026

2026 Best Places to Work in Indiana rankings are in! 🎉 The has plenty to celebrate.

Earlier this year, eight Indiana Uplands companies made the Indiana Chamber of Commerce ’s Best Places to Work list. Now, with the final rankings out, it’s easy to see why we’re of these companies!

JA Benefits (Bedford) earned the #1 spot in the small company category, continuing its track record as one of Indiana’s top employers!

Several others earned Top 10 and Top 20 rankings, underscoring the region’s strength in workplace culture.

Indiana Uplands companies making this year’s rankings include:
▪️ Harrell-Fish, LLC - HFI – Bloomington
▪️ IU Credit Union - Bloomington
▪️ Loren Wood Builders, LLC – Bloomington
▪️ TrueScripts – Washington
▪️ Weddle Bros. Construction Companies, Inc. – Bloomington
▪️ True Rx Health Strategists – Washington
▪️ Precise Systems, Inc – Odon

These employers help make the Indiana Uplands a great place to live and work!

🔗 View the rankings and full list:

(INDIANAPOLIS) — Star employers were out tonight as the Indiana Chamber of Commerce celebrated the Best Places to Work in Indiana companies. This year, rankings were revealed in five categories at the awards dinner, which was presented by KSM (Katz, Sapper & Miller) and held at the Indiana Convent...

05/14/2026

ROI is hiring! The Director of Career Connected Learning leads ROI’s K-12 pathway strategies and career-connected work-based learning programming. This includes ROI’s UpSkill Work & Learn youth apprenticeship program, Career Coaching Fellowship, and a regional career coaching community of practice.

The position requires vision for strategic growth, knowledge of the new Indiana high school diploma and related work-based learning requirements, grant writing, and management.

For details on how to apply, visit our website!

The Director leads ROI’s K-12 pathway strategies and career-connected work-based learning programming. This includes ROI’s UpSkill Work & Learn youth apprenticeship program, Career Coaching Fellowship, and a regional career coaching community of practice.

05/13/2026

Exciting progress is happening at Oak Street Village! 🏗️

This $15 million development in Loogootee is bringing much-needed workforce housing, childcare, and community amenities to Martin County. READI 2.0 funding is supporting site preparation and infrastructure work, including water and sewer systems.

This week, daycare framing is underway for the future Kid City USA childcare center, which will offer three classrooms with 58 seats for young children. Development plans also include a public playground, pickleball courts, and a community center.

👉 Learn more:
https://regionalopportunityinc.org/readi-2-0-project-oak-street-village-loogootee/

05/07/2026

To strengthen pathways from the classroom to what comes next, ROI proudly announces its fifth Career Coaching Fellowship. 🤝

During the yearlong Fellowship, participants engage in professional development, connect with regional employers, and build shared strategies that help students explore postsecondary options and career pathways.

With the addition of this cohort, ROI’s Career Coaching Fellowship now includes a network of 102 Fellows across all 11 counties!

Learn more: https://regionalopportunityinc.org/2026/05/01/newest-career-coaching-fellowship-cohort-welcomes-23-educators/

05/05/2026

Let’s welcome the newest group of educators shaping STEM learning across the ! 👏 Seventeen teachers have been selected for ROI’s ninth STEM Fellowship, joining a growing network advancing STEM learning and career-connected experiences through hands-on instruction.

The next cohort kicks off in July 2026, launching a yearlong Fellowship that combines immersive professional development, industry engagement, and classroom implementation. The new Fellows join a network of 166 educators strengthening STEM instruction and expanding real‑world learning opportunities for students across the region.

Meet the latest cohort here: https://regionalopportunityinc.org/2026/05/01/17-educators-selected-for-new-stem-fellowship-cohort/

05/01/2026

It's National Apprenticeship Week! We’re proud to celebrate the impact of ROI's UpSkill Work & Learn apprenticeships in the ! 🎉

UpSkill Work & Learn is a paid, multi‑year apprenticeship that lets students earn, learn, and explore career pathways while helping employers develop a skilled regional workforce. That’s a win worth celebrating this week and every week.

ROI is to support and celebrate our hard-working apprentices!

Learn more: https://regionalopportunityinc.org/upskill/

04/28/2026

Indiana Uplands student entrepreneurs really made their mark earlier this month, and we’ve got the photos to prove it! 👏 From freeze‑dried candy to custom screen printing, student‑run businesses came together to learn, lead, and showcase their ideas at the fifth annual Uplands Made Student‑Run Business Conference.

With 269 students, hands‑on breakout sessions, and a Student Expo full of innovation, the energy was unmistakable. Along with building businesses, these young entrepreneurs are building confidence, connections, and the region’s future.

Special shout‑out to the Edgewood High School Mustang Marketing team and Brown County Schools for contributing photos! Thank you for helping capture the day!

Check out the highlights:
https://regionalopportunityinc.org/2026/04/23/photo-galleries-uplands-made-2026/