Highlands Economic Partnership Including Private Donors In Next Phase

The Highlands Economic Partnership restructuring its target for investors to include more private donors.

CEO and President Amy New said historically, the partnership has focused on industries or companies. Moving forward, New said private investors will also be a focus.

“We’re really going to also look for individual investors who are interested in really just making their community a better place to live for their kids and their grandkids,” New said. “So, we’re going to have an aspect in the next phase of individual investments.”

Highlands recently hired Adam Poe as the Investment Relations Director. New said Poe has worked on this in past careers and brings an expertise to form the structure.

“This is something he’s done in past careers and also in his non-profit giving background too,” New said. “He’s given to organizations that have done very similar things, so that will kind of be taking that structure and embedding that in the highlands region so our four counties regardless if you have a business or not you’re going to be able to give back and hopefully see that growth too.”

New said the goal is to build up the community while also expanding workforce development. The partnership wants to engage public and private sectors to create prosperity and work with elected officials to do so.