From regional brand building to economic development consulting, The MEK Group played a critical role in establishing Indiana’s first tri-county Certified Technology Park.

Challenge: County and state officials had long wanted to establish a commercial technology park to support the $2 billion operations of the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC – Crane Division) 45 miles southwest of Bloomington in rural Indiana. In 2003, NSWC operations were threatened with possible closure from completion of an international 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) initiative from the Pentagon. Partial or complete closure of the Navy facility would have had devastating economic effects on the region.

MEK Solution: MEK played a key role in defining possibilities for county officials to engage in the state’s Certified Technology Program, in assembling a planning team, in providing guidance through two gubernatorial administrations in attracting critical state support, in helping secure initial funding, and by building a regional brand through targeted PR and marketing. MEK initial work included the development of a White Paper defending NSWC Crane from BRAC closure, which was excerpted in numerous major editorials throughout Indiana and published in its entirety by a number of BRAC-related groups nationally.

Through intense brand development, MEK effectively painted a vision of new jobs and investment. The project was previously generically known as “Crane North” or “the Crane Village Park.” MEK developed a new name, logo and positioning for the park and played a significant role in initial site planning. As part of its multi-year engagement, MEK developed all-new marketing materials to secure support and attract new tenants. MEK later made arrangements for Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels and Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman to play high-profile roles in key announcements, building momentum for the park and positioning it for success. MEK organized the first NSWC Crane University Summit, bringing together for the first time 13 vice provosts, vice presidents and directors of engagement from major Hoosier universities (including Notre Dame, Purdue, Rose Hulman Institute of Technology, Indiana University and others) to meet with NSWC Crane administrators and technology professionals, and state officials. (The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) later recognized MEK’s work for the University Summit with an association award.)

Outcome: The WestGate @ Crane is now home to top defense contractors like SAIC, ITT, EG&G,CACI and TSC, and the park is recognized as one of the leading CTP facilities in the state. MEK continues to provide advocacy consulting for the WestGate, and serves as Agency of Record in providing strategic marketing, PR, economic development consulting and public affairs support for the WestGate Authority and the developer retained by the park.