“Connie is passionate about Indiana and serving this great state. It will be a true joy to work alongside her as ISDA strives to drive the advancement of agronomic technologies and promote the sound stewardship of our landscape. We are mindful that job creation is job number one to this Administration and Connie brings the skill set needed to help provide continued growth in Indiana.”
Neininger comes to ISDA from northern Indiana, where most recently she has been president of the Cass Logansport Economic Development Organization. Prior to that, she was the White County Director of Economic Development.
Among the economic development projects Neininger has been involved with are the $1.2 billion Meadow Lake wind farm, the BioTown® USA Development Authority, the construction of two methane-conversion energy plants by Waste Management at Liberty Landfill, and a $350 million iron ore pellet plant, converted from an ethanol facility, in Reynolds.
She also organized the Western Indiana Sustainable Energy Resource group and chaired the Midwest Indiana Economic Development region, now known as Indiana’s Technology Corridor.
In keeping with the Pence-Ellspermann administration’s emphasis on job creation, and ISDA Director Gina Sheets’ focus on the agricultural industry as a driver of technological innovation, Neininger is bullish on the economic development opportunities before Indiana.
“Sometimes we forget the opportunities available in the agricultural industry. It’s not just farming. There are biofuels, hardwoods and many more opportunities there than we realize,” she said. “I really want to focus on adding value to current agricultural streams. We want to focus on working with existing companies to determine what products they are shipping and where. If we can add value to the product before it leaves, and understand which products passing through the state can have value added to them, we can further support our existing companies.”
Neininger also highlighted the range of sizes in the agribusiness community.
“It can be all the way from the small farm selling vegetables on the corner to the large operations that export products internationally,” she said. “I believe we can provide very real help to all of them by expanding their market opportunities.”
Her background also includes 20 years working in the banking business and time spent in philanthropy as the White County Community Foundation Director.
Neininger was born in Michigan City and has lived most of her life in Indiana. She and her husband Ross live in Monticello, in White County, where they own a small business. She has a daughter and two grandchildren, with whom she enjoys camping and hiking.
About ISDA
Indiana State Department of Agriculture is supporting growth in Indiana agriculture by serving as an advocate and partner at the local, state, federal and global levels; benefiting economic viability in the food, feed, fuel and fiber sectors; driving the advancement of agronomic technologies and promoting sound stewardship of the Indiana landscape.
