Economic Initiative

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Index-page--has-image" data-parallax-original-element data-collection-id="5d67ff16af72b0000155919e" data-parallax-id="5d67ff16af72b0000155919e" data-edit-main-image="Background"> <div class="Index-page-scroll-indicator hidden" data-controller="ScrollIndicator"> <div class="Index-page-scroll-indicator-text">Scroll</div> <svg class="Index-page-scroll-indicator-arrow Icon Icon--caretLarge--down" viewBox="0 0 48 23"> <use xlink:href="/assets/ui-icons.svg#caret-down-large-icon"></use> </svg> <div class="Index-page-scroll-indicator-line"></div> </div> <div class="Index-page-content sqs-alternate-block-style-container"> <div class="sqs-layout sqs-grid-12 columns-12" data-type="page" data-updated-on="1743014883725" id="page-5d67ff16af72b0000155919e"><div class="row sqs-row"><div class="col sqs-col-12 span-12"><div class="sqs-block spacer-block sqs-block-spacer sized vsize-1" data-block-type="21" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1567096758606_4916"><div class="sqs-block-content"> </div></div><div class="sqs-block spacer-block sqs-block-spacer sized vsize-1" data-block-type="21" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1567097662767_20221"><div class="sqs-block-content"> </div></div><div class="sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html" data-block-type="2" data-border-radii="{"topLeft":{"unit":"px","value":0.0},"topRight":{"unit":"px","value":0.0},"bottomLeft":{"unit":"px","value":0.0},"bottomRight":{"unit":"px","value":0.0}}" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1567097662767_20797"><div class="sqs-block-content"> <div class="sqs-html-content"> <h1 style="text-align:center;white-space:pre-wrap;">northwest indiana forum</h1> </div> </div></div><div class="sqs-block spacer-block sqs-block-spacer" data-aspect-ratio="0.05917159763313609" data-block-type="21" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1567096758606_5718"><div class="sqs-block-content"> </div></div><div class="sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html" data-block-type="2" data-border-radii="{"topLeft":{"unit":"px","value":0.0},"topRight":{"unit":"px","value":0.0},"bottomLeft":{"unit":"px","value":0.0},"bottomRight":{"unit":"px","value":0.0}}" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1665414849609_7631"><div class="sqs-block-content"> <div class="sqs-html-content"> <h3 style="text-align:center;white-space:pre-wrap;">Ignite the Region</h3> </div> </div></div><div class="sqs-block spacer-block sqs-block-spacer sized vsize-1" data-block-type="21" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1737059296272_8407"><div class="sqs-block-content"> </div></div><div class="sqs-block button-block sqs-block-button" data-block-type="53" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1737059296272_4088"><div class="sqs-block-content"> <div class="sqs-block-button-container sqs-block-button-container--center" data-animation-role="button" data-alignment="center" data-button-size="medium" data-button-type="primary" > <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/IGNITENWI" class="sqs-block-button-element--medium sqs-button-element--primary sqs-block-button-element" target="_blank" > Take the IGNITE Arts + Culture Survey! </a> </div> </div></div><div class="sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html" data-block-type="2" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1737059296272_4164"><div class="sqs-block-content"> <div class="sqs-html-content"> <h1 style="white-space:pre-wrap;">the introduction</h1> </div> </div></div><div class="sqs-block video-block sqs-block-video sqs-col-7 span-7 float float-right" data-block-json="{"blockAnimation":"none","layout":"caption-hidden","overlay":true,"description":{"html":"","raw":false},"hSize":7,"floatDir":"right","isOldBlock":true,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://player.vimeo.com/video/289481136?app_id=122963&amp;wmode=opaque\" width=\"640\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen\" allowfullscreen=\"\" title=\"Ignite the Region - FINAL\"></iframe>","url":"https://vimeo.com/289481136/2ab73928eb","thumbnailUrl":"https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/725141060_640.jpg","resolvedBy":"vimeo"}" data-block-type="32" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1567096758606_10029"><div class="sqs-block-content"><div class="sqs-video-wrapper" data-provider-name="" data-html="<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/289481136?app_id=122963&wmode=opaque" width="640" height="338" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen="" title="Ignite the Region - FINAL"></iframe>"><div class="sqs-video-overlay" style="opacity: 0;"><img data-src="https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/725141060_640.jpg" data-load="false" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" /><div class="sqs-video-opaque"></div><div class="sqs-video-icon"></div></div></div></div></div><div class="sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html" data-block-type="2" data-border-radii="{"topLeft":{"unit":"px","value":0.0},"topRight":{"unit":"px","value":0.0},"bottomLeft":{"unit":"px","value":0.0},"bottomRight":{"unit":"px","value":0.0}}" id="block-dc05ce3ced47a690229c"><div class="sqs-block-content"> <div class="sqs-html-content"> <p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">In late 2017, multiple organizations and communities in Northwest Indiana launched an ambitious effort to develop the first economic development strategic plan for the seven-county region, including Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, Jasper, Pulaski, and Starke. TIP Strategies was engaged in February 2018 to facilitate the planning process and to develop the planning documents. Over the course of eight months, a broad coalition of regional partners and stakeholders came together to guide and inform this initiative. The end product—Ignite the Region: A Regional Strategy for Economic Transformation—was presented to the public in September 2018.</p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">The Northwest Indiana Forum is currently leading an update of <strong><em>Ignite the Region: A Regional Strategy for Economic Transformation,</em></strong> the organization’s economic development strategic plan for Northwest Indiana. The 2025 update is focused on integrating arts, culture, tourism, and sustainability into the existing economic transformation strategy for the seven-county region, which includes Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, Jasper, Pulaski, and Starke counties.</p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">In the coming months, the Forum will collaborate with a diverse coalition of organizations and communities across Northwest Indiana to shape and refine the initiative. The updated strategy will be unveiled this spring.</p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">This effort is supported by the State of Indiana’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) program<a href="https://iedc.in.gov/program/indiana-readi/overview"> </a>and is being guided by Public Sphere Projects, a national planning and placemaking consultancy.</p> </div> </div></div></div></div></div> </div> <figure class="Index-page-image" data-parallax-image-wrapper> <div data-controller="VideoBackground"> <div class="sqs-video-background content-fill" data-config-url="" data-config-playback-speed="1" data-config-filter="1" data-config-filter-strength="50"> <div id="player"></div> </div> </div> </figure> </section> <section id="case-studies" class="Index-page" data-collection-id="5a95c2cd24a694e643f52492" data-parallax-id="5a95c2cd24a694e643f52492" data-edit-main-image="Background"> <div class="Index-page-content "> <div class="sqs-layout sqs-grid-12 columns-12" data-type="page" data-updated-on="1738184458644" id="page-5a95c2cd24a694e643f52492"><div class="row sqs-row"><div class="col sqs-col-12 span-12"><div class="row sqs-row"><div class="col sqs-col-10 span-10"><div class="sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html" data-block-type="2" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1738180512091_21899"><div class="sqs-block-content"> <div class="sqs-html-content"> <h2 style="white-space:pre-wrap;">See What We Have Been Up To:</h2> </div> </div></div><div class="sqs-block gallery-block sqs-block-gallery" data-aspect-ratio="50" 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/></noscript><img class="thumb-image" elementtiming="system-gallery-block-slider" data-src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1738184405254-2MC3E880SHISWWOOH2TJ/IMG_5299.JPG" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1738184405254-2MC3E880SHISWWOOH2TJ/IMG_5299.JPG" data-image-dimensions="2048x1536" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="IMG_5299.JPG" data-load="false" data-image-id="679a96d3bb92705a9ea96399" data-type="image" /> <noscript><img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1738184406085-XDHDEOBQ9MMR44C5DJFH/IMG_5331.JPG" alt="IMG_5331.JPG" /></noscript><img class="thumb-image" elementtiming="system-gallery-block-slider" data-src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1738184406085-XDHDEOBQ9MMR44C5DJFH/IMG_5331.JPG" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1738184406085-XDHDEOBQ9MMR44C5DJFH/IMG_5331.JPG" data-image-dimensions="2048x1536" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="IMG_5331.JPG" data-load="false" data-image-id="679a96d53a0cad4e2fc4d7cb" data-type="image" /> </div> <div class="sqs-gallery-meta-container"> <div class="sqs-gallery-controls"> <a tabindex="0" role="button" class="previous" aria-label="Previous Slide" ></a> <a tabindex="0" role="button" class="next" aria-label="Next Slide" ></a> </div> </div>  </div> </div></div><div class="sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html" data-block-type="2" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1519764443366_15064"><div class="sqs-block-content"> <div class="sqs-html-content"> <h1 style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><strong>VISION</strong></h1><h2 style="text-align:center;white-space:pre-wrap;"><strong>“Northwest Indiana drives its vibrant and inclusive communities by creating the most dynamic economic environment of the Midwest, fueled by innovation, diversity, and talent.”</strong></h2> </div> </div></div></div><div class="col sqs-col-2 span-2"><div class="sqs-block spacer-block sqs-block-spacer sized vsize-1" data-block-type="21" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1536844831041_73466"><div class="sqs-block-content"> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div> </div> </section> <section id="pillars-of-ignite-update-2019" class="Index-page" data-collection-id="5d9756eb4712d82eadcb1071" data-parallax-id="5d9756eb4712d82eadcb1071" data-edit-main-image="Background"> <div class="Index-page-content "> <div class="sqs-layout sqs-grid-12 columns-12" data-type="page" data-updated-on="1736185714006" id="page-5d9756eb4712d82eadcb1071"><div class="row sqs-row"><div class="col sqs-col-12 span-12"><div class="sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html" data-block-type="2" id="block-689ffd10de5a886daeba"><div class="sqs-block-content"> <div class="sqs-html-content"> <h1 style="white-space:pre-wrap;">pillars of ignite </h1><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><em>Ignite the Region</em> is built around five aspirational goals that serve as the pillars of future economic vitality and growth for the region. They reflect a holistic view of economic development that addresses business development and marketing, entrepreneurship and innovation, infrastructure, talent, and placemaking. Under each goal outlined within the plan are several strategies and actions needed for implementation.</p> </div> </div></div><div class="sqs-block spacer-block sqs-block-spacer" data-aspect-ratio="0.059988002399520096" data-block-type="21" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1736185524319_43043"><div class="sqs-block-content"> </div></div><div class="row sqs-row"><div class="col sqs-col-4 span-4"><div class="sqs-block image-block sqs-block-image" data-block-type="5" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1570199301466_11797"><div class="sqs-block-content"> <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure image-block-outer-wrapper image-block-v2 design-layout-poster combination-animation-none individual-animation-none individual-text-animation-none image-position-left image-linked " data-scrolled data-test="image-block-v2-outer-wrapper" > <div class="intrinsic"> <a href="/business-development-marketing" class=" sqs-block-image-link image-inset" data-animation-role="image" data-description="" > <div class="sqs-image-shape-container-element content-fill has-aspect-ratio " style=" position: relative; overflow: hidden;-webkit-mask-image: -webkit-radial-gradient(white, black); padding-bottom:66.68000030517578%; "> <img data-stretch="false" data-src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935049991-SGD1P8FQ4V1583NTLIJ5/Pete+Doherty+060.jpg" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935049991-SGD1P8FQ4V1583NTLIJ5/Pete+Doherty+060.jpg" data-image-dimensions="2500x1667" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="Pete Doherty 060.jpg" data-load="false" elementtiming="system-image-block" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935049991-SGD1P8FQ4V1583NTLIJ5/Pete+Doherty+060.jpg" width="2500" height="1667" alt="" sizes="100vw" style="display:block;object-fit: cover; width: 100%; height: 100%; object-position: 50% 50%" onload="this.classList.add("loaded")" srcset="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935049991-SGD1P8FQ4V1583NTLIJ5/Pete+Doherty+060.jpg?format=100w 100w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935049991-SGD1P8FQ4V1583NTLIJ5/Pete+Doherty+060.jpg?format=300w 300w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935049991-SGD1P8FQ4V1583NTLIJ5/Pete+Doherty+060.jpg?format=500w 500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935049991-SGD1P8FQ4V1583NTLIJ5/Pete+Doherty+060.jpg?format=750w 750w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935049991-SGD1P8FQ4V1583NTLIJ5/Pete+Doherty+060.jpg?format=1000w 1000w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935049991-SGD1P8FQ4V1583NTLIJ5/Pete+Doherty+060.jpg?format=1500w 1500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935049991-SGD1P8FQ4V1583NTLIJ5/Pete+Doherty+060.jpg?format=2500w 2500w" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-loader="sqs"> <div class="image-overlay" style="overflow: hidden;-webkit-mask-image: -webkit-radial-gradient(white, black);"></div> </div> </a> </div> <figcaption class="image-card-wrapper" data-width-ratio> <div class="image-card sqs-dynamic-text-container"> <div class="image-title-wrapper"><div class="image-title sqs-dynamic-text" ><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Business Development</p><p class="" data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"></p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">& Marketing</p></div></div> </div> </figcaption> </figure> </div></div></div><div class="col sqs-col-4 span-4"><div class="sqs-block image-block sqs-block-image" data-aspect-ratio="66.29213483146067" data-block-type="5" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1570199301466_8996"><div class="sqs-block-content"> <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure image-block-outer-wrapper image-block-v2 design-layout-poster combination-animation-none individual-animation-none individual-text-animation-none image-position-left image-linked " data-scrolled data-test="image-block-v2-outer-wrapper" > <div class="intrinsic"> <a href="/entrepreneurship-innovation-1" class=" sqs-block-image-link image-inset" data-animation-role="image" data-description="" > <div class="sqs-image-shape-container-element content-fill has-aspect-ratio " style=" position: relative; overflow: hidden;-webkit-mask-image: -webkit-radial-gradient(white, black); padding-bottom:66.2921371459961%; "> <img data-stretch="false" data-src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571934824769-0IK6A5DKUP3GUW2IOMC4/How-to-measure-innovation-capability-750x400.jpg" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571934824769-0IK6A5DKUP3GUW2IOMC4/How-to-measure-innovation-capability-750x400.jpg" data-image-dimensions="750x400" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="How-to-measure-innovation-capability-750x400.jpg" data-load="false" elementtiming="system-image-block" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571934824769-0IK6A5DKUP3GUW2IOMC4/How-to-measure-innovation-capability-750x400.jpg" width="750" height="400" alt="" sizes="100vw" style="display:block;object-fit: cover; width: 100%; height: 100%; object-position: 50% 50%" onload="this.classList.add("loaded")" srcset="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571934824769-0IK6A5DKUP3GUW2IOMC4/How-to-measure-innovation-capability-750x400.jpg?format=100w 100w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571934824769-0IK6A5DKUP3GUW2IOMC4/How-to-measure-innovation-capability-750x400.jpg?format=300w 300w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571934824769-0IK6A5DKUP3GUW2IOMC4/How-to-measure-innovation-capability-750x400.jpg?format=500w 500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571934824769-0IK6A5DKUP3GUW2IOMC4/How-to-measure-innovation-capability-750x400.jpg?format=750w 750w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571934824769-0IK6A5DKUP3GUW2IOMC4/How-to-measure-innovation-capability-750x400.jpg?format=1000w 1000w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571934824769-0IK6A5DKUP3GUW2IOMC4/How-to-measure-innovation-capability-750x400.jpg?format=1500w 1500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571934824769-0IK6A5DKUP3GUW2IOMC4/How-to-measure-innovation-capability-750x400.jpg?format=2500w 2500w" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-loader="sqs"> <div class="image-overlay" style="overflow: hidden;-webkit-mask-image: -webkit-radial-gradient(white, black);"></div> </div> </a> </div> <figcaption class="image-card-wrapper" data-width-ratio> <div class="image-card sqs-dynamic-text-container"> <div class="image-title-wrapper"><div class="image-title sqs-dynamic-text" ><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Entrepreneurship & Innovation</p></div></div> </div> </figcaption> </figure> </div></div></div><div class="col sqs-col-4 span-4"><div class="sqs-block image-block sqs-block-image" data-block-type="5" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1570199301466_10224"><div class="sqs-block-content"> <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure image-block-outer-wrapper image-block-v2 design-layout-poster combination-animation-none individual-animation-none individual-text-animation-none image-position-left image-linked " data-scrolled data-test="image-block-v2-outer-wrapper" > <div class="intrinsic"> <a href="/infrastructure-2" class=" sqs-block-image-link image-inset" data-animation-role="image" data-description="" > <div class="sqs-image-shape-container-element content-fill has-aspect-ratio " style=" position: relative; overflow: hidden;-webkit-mask-image: -webkit-radial-gradient(white, black); padding-bottom:65.72000122070312%; "> <img data-stretch="false" data-src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935087084-4RN9TH96WMKG0A5YDNKL/Pete+Doherty+034.jpg" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935087084-4RN9TH96WMKG0A5YDNKL/Pete+Doherty+034.jpg" data-image-dimensions="2500x1643" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="Pete Doherty 034.jpg" data-load="false" elementtiming="system-image-block" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935087084-4RN9TH96WMKG0A5YDNKL/Pete+Doherty+034.jpg" width="2500" height="1643" alt="" sizes="100vw" style="display:block;object-fit: cover; width: 100%; height: 100%; object-position: 50% 50%" onload="this.classList.add("loaded")" srcset="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935087084-4RN9TH96WMKG0A5YDNKL/Pete+Doherty+034.jpg?format=100w 100w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935087084-4RN9TH96WMKG0A5YDNKL/Pete+Doherty+034.jpg?format=300w 300w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935087084-4RN9TH96WMKG0A5YDNKL/Pete+Doherty+034.jpg?format=500w 500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935087084-4RN9TH96WMKG0A5YDNKL/Pete+Doherty+034.jpg?format=750w 750w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935087084-4RN9TH96WMKG0A5YDNKL/Pete+Doherty+034.jpg?format=1000w 1000w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935087084-4RN9TH96WMKG0A5YDNKL/Pete+Doherty+034.jpg?format=1500w 1500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935087084-4RN9TH96WMKG0A5YDNKL/Pete+Doherty+034.jpg?format=2500w 2500w" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-loader="sqs"> <div class="image-overlay" style="overflow: hidden;-webkit-mask-image: -webkit-radial-gradient(white, black);"></div> </div> </a> </div> <figcaption class="image-card-wrapper" data-width-ratio> <div class="image-card sqs-dynamic-text-container"> <div class="image-title-wrapper"><div class="image-title sqs-dynamic-text" ><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Infrastructure</p></div></div> </div> </figcaption> </figure> </div></div></div></div><div class="row sqs-row"><div class="col sqs-col-4 span-4"><div class="sqs-block image-block sqs-block-image" data-block-type="5" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1570199301466_16143"><div class="sqs-block-content"> <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure image-block-outer-wrapper image-block-v2 design-layout-poster combination-animation-none individual-animation-none individual-text-animation-none image-position-left image-linked " data-scrolled data-test="image-block-v2-outer-wrapper" > <div class="intrinsic"> <a href="/talent" class=" sqs-block-image-link image-inset" data-animation-role="image" data-description="" > <div class="sqs-image-shape-container-element content-fill has-aspect-ratio " style=" position: relative; overflow: hidden;-webkit-mask-image: -webkit-radial-gradient(white, black); padding-bottom:66.68000030517578%; "> <img data-stretch="false" data-src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935230090-E0Z8UW3G7ZQFN3EAWCPI/IMG_5566.JPG" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935230090-E0Z8UW3G7ZQFN3EAWCPI/IMG_5566.JPG" data-image-dimensions="2500x1667" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="IMG_5566.JPG" data-load="false" elementtiming="system-image-block" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935230090-E0Z8UW3G7ZQFN3EAWCPI/IMG_5566.JPG" width="2500" height="1667" alt="" sizes="100vw" style="display:block;object-fit: cover; width: 100%; height: 100%; object-position: 50% 50%" onload="this.classList.add("loaded")" srcset="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935230090-E0Z8UW3G7ZQFN3EAWCPI/IMG_5566.JPG?format=100w 100w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935230090-E0Z8UW3G7ZQFN3EAWCPI/IMG_5566.JPG?format=300w 300w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935230090-E0Z8UW3G7ZQFN3EAWCPI/IMG_5566.JPG?format=500w 500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935230090-E0Z8UW3G7ZQFN3EAWCPI/IMG_5566.JPG?format=750w 750w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935230090-E0Z8UW3G7ZQFN3EAWCPI/IMG_5566.JPG?format=1000w 1000w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935230090-E0Z8UW3G7ZQFN3EAWCPI/IMG_5566.JPG?format=1500w 1500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935230090-E0Z8UW3G7ZQFN3EAWCPI/IMG_5566.JPG?format=2500w 2500w" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-loader="sqs"> <div class="image-overlay" style="overflow: hidden;-webkit-mask-image: -webkit-radial-gradient(white, black);"></div> </div> </a> </div> <figcaption class="image-card-wrapper" data-width-ratio> <div class="image-card sqs-dynamic-text-container"> <div class="image-title-wrapper"><div class="image-title sqs-dynamic-text" ><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Talent</p></div></div> </div> </figcaption> </figure> </div></div></div><div class="col sqs-col-4 span-4"><div class="sqs-block image-block sqs-block-image" data-aspect-ratio="66.72828096118299" data-block-type="5" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1570199301466_14932"><div class="sqs-block-content"> <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure image-block-outer-wrapper image-block-v2 design-layout-poster combination-animation-none individual-animation-none individual-text-animation-none image-position-left image-linked " data-scrolled data-test="image-block-v2-outer-wrapper" > <div class="intrinsic"> <a href="/placemaking" class=" sqs-block-image-link image-inset" data-animation-role="image" data-description="" > <div class="sqs-image-shape-container-element content-fill has-aspect-ratio " style=" position: relative; overflow: hidden;-webkit-mask-image: -webkit-radial-gradient(white, black); padding-bottom:66.72827911376953%; "> <img data-stretch="false" data-src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935148683-66ZD15GJWX3BJSILJ3CJ/101_0050.JPG" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935148683-66ZD15GJWX3BJSILJ3CJ/101_0050.JPG" data-image-dimensions="2500x1409" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="101_0050.JPG" data-load="false" elementtiming="system-image-block" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935148683-66ZD15GJWX3BJSILJ3CJ/101_0050.JPG" width="2500" height="1409" alt="" sizes="100vw" style="display:block;object-fit: cover; width: 100%; height: 100%; object-position: 50% 50%" onload="this.classList.add("loaded")" srcset="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935148683-66ZD15GJWX3BJSILJ3CJ/101_0050.JPG?format=100w 100w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935148683-66ZD15GJWX3BJSILJ3CJ/101_0050.JPG?format=300w 300w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935148683-66ZD15GJWX3BJSILJ3CJ/101_0050.JPG?format=500w 500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935148683-66ZD15GJWX3BJSILJ3CJ/101_0050.JPG?format=750w 750w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935148683-66ZD15GJWX3BJSILJ3CJ/101_0050.JPG?format=1000w 1000w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935148683-66ZD15GJWX3BJSILJ3CJ/101_0050.JPG?format=1500w 1500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1571935148683-66ZD15GJWX3BJSILJ3CJ/101_0050.JPG?format=2500w 2500w" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-loader="sqs"> <div class="image-overlay" style="overflow: hidden;-webkit-mask-image: -webkit-radial-gradient(white, black);"></div> </div> </a> </div> <figcaption class="image-card-wrapper" data-width-ratio> <div class="image-card sqs-dynamic-text-container"> <div class="image-title-wrapper"><div class="image-title sqs-dynamic-text" ><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Placemaking</p></div></div> </div> </figcaption> </figure> </div></div></div><div class="col sqs-col-4 span-4"><div class="sqs-block spacer-block sqs-block-spacer sized vsize-1" data-block-type="21" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1570199301466_18399"><div class="sqs-block-content"> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div> </div> </section> <section id="the-outcome" class="Index-page" data-collection-id="5a95bd53e4966b630f00e311" data-parallax-id="5a95bd53e4966b630f00e311" data-edit-main-image="Background"> <div class="Index-page-content "> <div class="sqs-layout sqs-grid-12 columns-12" data-type="page" data-updated-on="1736193005407" id="page-5a95bd53e4966b630f00e311"><div class="row sqs-row"><div class="col sqs-col-12 span-12"><div class="sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html" data-block-type="2" id="block-5a95bd53e4966b630f00e312"><div class="sqs-block-content"> <div class="sqs-html-content"> <h1 style="white-space:pre-wrap;">read the plan</h1> </div> </div></div><div class="row sqs-row"><div class="col sqs-col-8 span-8"><div class="sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html" data-block-type="2" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1519762829444_44314"><div class="sqs-block-content"> <div class="sqs-html-content"> <p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Released in 2018, <strong><em>Ignite the Region: A Regional Strategy for Economic Transformation</em></strong> presents a framework for building economic growth and prosperity in the region. The strategy provides an evaluation of Northwest Indiana’s economic development challenges and opportunities, informed by quantitative analysis and qualitative input. It articulates a forward-looking vision of the Northwest Indiana economy. This plan provides a holistic set of goals, strategies, and actions designed to promote economic diversification and collaboration by enhancing the region’s talent base, infrastructure, entrepreneurship ecosystem, and unique places. Additionally, it includes a timetable for implementing the initiatives and activities and identifies the organizations best suited to lead those efforts.</p> </div> </div></div></div><div class="col sqs-col-3 span-3"><div class="sqs-block image-block sqs-block-image" data-block-type="5" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1536696153923_20895"><div class="sqs-block-content"> <div class=" image-block-outer-wrapper layout-caption-below design-layout-inline combination-animation-none individual-animation-none individual-text-animation-none " data-test="image-block-inline-outer-wrapper" > <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " style="max-width:591px;" > <a class=" sqs-block-image-link " href="/s/v715cwe9e1xgrv377m9a5f6e0zo3ix" target="_blank" > <div class="image-block-wrapper" data-animation-role="image" > <div class="sqs-image-shape-container-element has-aspect-ratio " style=" position: relative; padding-bottom:129.44161987304688%; overflow: hidden;-webkit-mask-image: -webkit-radial-gradient(white, black); " > <img data-stretch="false" data-src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1536759794294-R4XIL2YP1ZH9BA5WC3TN/ReportCover1.png" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1536759794294-R4XIL2YP1ZH9BA5WC3TN/ReportCover1.png" data-image-dimensions="591x765" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="ReportCover1.png" data-load="false" elementtiming="system-image-block" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1536759794294-R4XIL2YP1ZH9BA5WC3TN/ReportCover1.png" width="591" height="765" alt="" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 767px) 25vw, 25vw" style="display:block;object-fit: cover; width: 100%; height: 100%; object-position: 50% 50%" onload="this.classList.add("loaded")" srcset="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1536759794294-R4XIL2YP1ZH9BA5WC3TN/ReportCover1.png?format=100w 100w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1536759794294-R4XIL2YP1ZH9BA5WC3TN/ReportCover1.png?format=300w 300w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1536759794294-R4XIL2YP1ZH9BA5WC3TN/ReportCover1.png?format=500w 500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1536759794294-R4XIL2YP1ZH9BA5WC3TN/ReportCover1.png?format=750w 750w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1536759794294-R4XIL2YP1ZH9BA5WC3TN/ReportCover1.png?format=1000w 1000w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1536759794294-R4XIL2YP1ZH9BA5WC3TN/ReportCover1.png?format=1500w 1500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a663f7e2aeba52c5cad3cbb/1536759794294-R4XIL2YP1ZH9BA5WC3TN/ReportCover1.png?format=2500w 2500w" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-loader="sqs"> </div> </div> </a> </figure> </div> </div></div></div><div class="col sqs-col-1 span-1"><div class="sqs-block spacer-block sqs-block-spacer sized vsize-1" data-block-type="21" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1519762829444_45809"><div class="sqs-block-content"> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div> </div> </section> <section id="new-page-42" class="Index-page" data-collection-id="5fa9aeb7116faf366c0f236f" data-parallax-id="5fa9aeb7116faf366c0f236f" data-edit-main-image="Background"> <div class="Index-page-content "> <div class="sqs-layout sqs-grid-12 columns-12" data-type="page" data-updated-on="1736186496815" id="page-5fa9aeb7116faf366c0f236f"><div class="row sqs-row"><div class="col sqs-col-12 span-12"><div class="sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html" data-block-type="2" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1736183150309_7719"><div class="sqs-block-content"> <div class="sqs-html-content"> <h1 style="white-space:pre-wrap;">ignite 2025 updates</h1> </div> </div></div><div class="sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html" data-block-type="2" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1736186426093_5172"><div class="sqs-block-content"> <div class="sqs-html-content"> <p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">The Northwest Indiana Forum is currently leading an update of <strong><em>Ignite the Region: A Regional Strategy for Economic Transformation,</em></strong> the organization’s economic development strategic plan for Northwest Indiana. The 2025 update is focused on integrating arts, culture, tourism, and sustainability into the existing economic transformation strategy for the seven-county region, which includes Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, Jasper, Pulaski, and Starke counties.</p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">In the coming months, the Forum will collaborate with a diverse coalition of organizations and communities across Northwest Indiana to shape and refine the initiative. The updated strategy will be unveiled this spring.</p> </div> </div></div><div class="sqs-block spacer-block sqs-block-spacer sized vsize-1" data-block-type="21" id="block-4bf82c471a76865397e9"><div class="sqs-block-content"> </div></div><div class="sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html" data-block-type="2" id="block-f2904f17bc1d10d79643"><div class="sqs-block-content"> <div class="sqs-html-content"> <h1 style="white-space:pre-wrap;">ignite 2020 updates</h1> </div> </div></div></div></div><div class="row sqs-row"><div class="col sqs-col-4 span-4"><div class="sqs-block video-block sqs-block-video" data-block-json="{"blockAnimation":"none","layout":"caption-hidden","overlay":false,"description":{"html":"","raw":false},"hSize":null,"floatDir":null,"isOldBlock":true,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://player.vimeo.com/video/477315850?app_id=122963\" width=\"426\" height=\"240\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen title=\"NWI FORUM &amp;ndash; IGNITE THE REGION RECEPTION\"></iframe>","url":"https://vimeo.com/477315850","width":426,"height":240,"providerName":"Vimeo","thumbnailUrl":"https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/991540142_295x166","resolvedBy":"vimeo"}" data-block-type="32" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1604955834262_13553"><div class="sqs-block-content"><div class="intrinsic" style="max-width:100%"><div class="embed-block-wrapper " style="padding-bottom:56.33803%;"><div class="sqs-video-wrapper" data-provider-name="Vimeo" data-html="<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/477315850?app_id=122963" width="426" height="240" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen title="NWI FORUM &ndash; IGNITE THE REGION RECEPTION"></iframe>"></div></div></div></div></div><div class="sqs-block video-block sqs-block-video" data-block-json="{"blockAnimation":"none","layout":"caption-hidden","overlay":false,"description":{"html":"","raw":false},"hSize":null,"floatDir":null,"isOldBlock":true,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://player.vimeo.com/video/459212311?app_id=122963&amp;wmode=opaque\" width=\"426\" height=\"240\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen\" allowfullscreen=\"\" title=\"ENTREPRENEURSHIP+INNOVATION\"></iframe>","url":"https://vimeo.com/459212311","width":426,"height":240,"providerName":"Vimeo","thumbnailUrl":"https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/959553089_295x166.jpg","resolvedBy":"vimeo"}" data-block-type="32" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1604955834262_18014"><div class="sqs-block-content"><div class="intrinsic" style="max-width:100%"><div class="embed-block-wrapper " style="padding-bottom:56.33803%;"><div class="sqs-video-wrapper" data-provider-name="Vimeo" data-html="<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/459212311?app_id=122963&wmode=opaque" width="426" height="240" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen="" title="ENTREPRENEURSHIP+INNOVATION"></iframe>"></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="col sqs-col-4 span-4"><div class="sqs-block video-block sqs-block-video" data-block-json="{"blockAnimation":"none","layout":"caption-hidden","overlay":false,"description":{"html":"","raw":false},"hSize":null,"floatDir":null,"isOldBlock":true,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://player.vimeo.com/video/459217319?app_id=122963&amp;wmode=opaque\" width=\"426\" height=\"240\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen\" allowfullscreen=\"\" title=\"TALENT\"></iframe>","url":"https://vimeo.com/459217319","width":426,"height":240,"providerName":"Vimeo","thumbnailUrl":"https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/959564800_295x166.jpg","resolvedBy":"vimeo"}" data-block-type="32" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1604955834262_14917"><div class="sqs-block-content"><div class="intrinsic" style="max-width:100%"><div class="embed-block-wrapper " style="padding-bottom:56.33803%;"><div class="sqs-video-wrapper" data-provider-name="Vimeo" data-html="<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/459217319?app_id=122963&wmode=opaque" width="426" height="240" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen="" title="TALENT"></iframe>"></div></div></div></div></div><div class="sqs-block video-block sqs-block-video" data-block-json="{"blockAnimation":"none","layout":"caption-hidden","overlay":false,"description":{"html":"","raw":false},"hSize":null,"floatDir":null,"isOldBlock":true,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://player.vimeo.com/video/459210055?app_id=122963&amp;wmode=opaque\" width=\"426\" height=\"240\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen\" allowfullscreen=\"\" title=\"PLACEMAKING\"></iframe>","url":"https://vimeo.com/459210055","width":426,"height":240,"providerName":"Vimeo","thumbnailUrl":"https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/959548838_295x166.jpg","resolvedBy":"vimeo"}" data-block-type="32" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1604955834262_19415"><div class="sqs-block-content"><div class="intrinsic" style="max-width:100%"><div class="embed-block-wrapper " style="padding-bottom:56.33803%;"><div class="sqs-video-wrapper" data-provider-name="Vimeo" data-html="<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/459210055?app_id=122963&wmode=opaque" width="426" height="240" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen="" title="PLACEMAKING"></iframe>"></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="col sqs-col-4 span-4"><div class="sqs-block video-block sqs-block-video" data-block-json="{"blockAnimation":"none","layout":"caption-hidden","overlay":false,"description":{"html":"","raw":false},"hSize":null,"floatDir":null,"isOldBlock":true,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://player.vimeo.com/video/459214790?app_id=122963&amp;wmode=opaque\" width=\"426\" height=\"240\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen\" allowfullscreen=\"\" title=\"BUSINESS+MARKETING\"></iframe>","url":"https://vimeo.com/459214790","width":426,"height":240,"providerName":"Vimeo","thumbnailUrl":"https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/959557300_295x166.jpg","resolvedBy":"vimeo"}" data-block-type="32" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1604955834262_16635"><div class="sqs-block-content"><div class="intrinsic" style="max-width:100%"><div class="embed-block-wrapper " style="padding-bottom:56.33803%;"><div class="sqs-video-wrapper" data-provider-name="Vimeo" data-html="<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/459214790?app_id=122963&wmode=opaque" width="426" height="240" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen="" title="BUSINESS+MARKETING"></iframe>"></div></div></div></div></div><div class="sqs-block video-block sqs-block-video" data-block-json="{"blockAnimation":"none","layout":"caption-hidden","overlay":false,"description":{"html":"","raw":false},"hSize":null,"floatDir":null,"isOldBlock":true,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://player.vimeo.com/video/459200756?app_id=122963&amp;wmode=opaque\" width=\"426\" height=\"240\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen\" allowfullscreen=\"\" title=\"INFRASTRUCTURE\"></iframe>","url":"https://vimeo.com/459200756","width":426,"height":240,"providerName":"Vimeo","thumbnailUrl":"https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/959544617_295x166.jpg","resolvedBy":"vimeo"}" data-block-type="32" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1604955834262_20842"><div class="sqs-block-content"><div class="intrinsic" style="max-width:100%"><div class="embed-block-wrapper " style="padding-bottom:56.33803%;"><div class="sqs-video-wrapper" data-provider-name="Vimeo" data-html="<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/459200756?app_id=122963&wmode=opaque" width="426" height="240" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen="" title="INFRASTRUCTURE"></iframe>"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div> </div> </section> <nav class="Index-nav"> <div class="Index-nav-inner"> <a href="#new-page-1" class="Index-nav-item active"> <div class="Index-nav-indicator"></div> <div class="Index-nav-text"><span>THE INTRODUCTION</span></div> </a> <a href="#case-studies" class="Index-nav-item"> <div class="Index-nav-indicator"></div> <div class="Index-nav-text"><span>Vision & Goals</span></div> </a> <a href="#pillars-of-ignite-update-2019" class="Index-nav-item"> <div class="Index-nav-indicator"></div> <div class="Index-nav-text"><span>Pillars of Ignite</span></div> </a> <a href="#the-outcome" class="Index-nav-item"> <div class="Index-nav-indicator"></div> <div class="Index-nav-text"><span>Read the Plan</span></div> </a> <a href="#new-page-42" class="Index-nav-item"> <div class="Index-nav-indicator"></div> <div class="Index-nav-text"><span>Updates</span></div> </a> </div> </nav> </main> </div> </div> <footer class="Footer" role="contentinfo" data-controller="FooterBreakpoints"> <div class="Footer-inner clear"> <div class="sqs-layout sqs-grid-12 columns-12 Footer-blocks Footer-blocks--top sqs-alternate-block-style-container" data-layout-label="Footer Top Blocks" data-type="block-field" data-updated-on="1742910343927" id="footerBlocksTop"><div class="row sqs-row"><div class="col sqs-col-12 span-12"><div class="row sqs-row"><div class="col sqs-col-5 span-5"><div class="sqs-block spacer-block sqs-block-spacer sized vsize-1" data-block-type="21" id="block-yui_3_17_2_6_1516715903312_63975"><div class="sqs-block-content"> </div></div></div><div class="col sqs-col-2 span-2"><div class="sqs-block image-block sqs-block-image" data-block-type="5" id="block-yui_3_17_2_6_1516715903312_62063"><div class="sqs-block-content"> <div class=" image-block-outer-wrapper layout-caption-below design-layout-inline combination-animation-none individual-animation-none individual-text-animation-none " data-test="image-block-inline-outer-wrapper" > <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " style="max-width:119px;" > <a class=" sqs-block-image-link " href="/welcome" > <div class="image-block-wrapper" data-animation-role="image" > <div class="sqs-image-shape-container-element has-aspect-ratio " style=" position: relative; 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