WHIN is a non-profit organization dedicated to researching and evaluating cutting-edge technologies from around the world and introducing them to manufacturers in the 10-county region of north central Indiana.
Through a rigorous discovery process and real-world application studies with our alliance members, WHIN collaborates with leading tech companies to enhance productivity, efficiency, and profitability for local manufacturers. By fostering these strategic partnerships, WHIN not only boosts regional growth but also attracts domestic and international companies to Indiana, giving local operations a competitive edge and driving broader economic development.
“WHIN is an organization dedicated to improving regional opportunities by leveraging our top resources like manufacturing and agriculture to sustain and improve our livelihood for the future.”
Jess Daily
WHIN Ag Alliance Member since 2019
FUNDED TO DATE
$10M
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
48
10
COUNTIES SERVED
Projects
K-12 eLearning
WHIN’s $6M eLearning initiative began as a program to help students without reliable internet access but quickly evolved into a region-wide effort to strengthen digital learning across all K–12 schools. By expanding its focus to include classroom technology, connectivity, and innovative digital curriculum, WHIN helped “tech up” local education while building workforce skills essential for the region’s growing digital economy.
Rural Entrepreneurship
WHIN’s Rural Entrepreneurship initiative, led in partnership with MatchBOX, equips small business owners and startups across the region with the tools, mentorship, and networks to grow sustainably. By fostering local entrepreneurial ecosystems through training cohorts and community collaboration, the program strengthens rural economies and revitalizes Main Street businesses.
Advancing the Next Gen for Manufacturing
Through the Regional Cultivation Fund, WHIN and its partners expanded hands-on STEM and manufacturing programs for K–12 students across the region to strengthen the future workforce. By scaling initiatives like Manufacturing Week, CoderDojos, and Robotics Camps, and funding new Design & Make Labs in every county, WHIN helped build lasting infrastructure for next-generation talent development.
Community Foundation
Capstone Grants
WHIN’s Community Foundation Capstone program strengthened local recovery and growth by awarding $50,000 to every Community Foundation in the region to support projects in education, connectivity, and quality of life. By offering flexible, unrestricted funding, WHIN empowered communities to address local priorities, match new grants, and accelerate high-impact initiatives across the region.
Unified Regional Network
Recognizing that connectivity is the foundation of IoT innovation, WHIN spearheaded efforts to expand high-speed internet access across its rural region. Through partnerships and grants, WHIN developed a Neutral Host Network and one of the nation’s largest LoRaWAN systems, enabling shared broadband infrastructure and powering its Living Lab model for regional IoT advancement.
Wabash River Greenway Trails
WHIN partnered with NCHS to fund a Master Plan for the Wabash River Greenway, uniting community input and existing trails into a regional blueprint for recreation and economic growth. By strategically aligning multiple funding sources, the project has already secured over $23M toward transforming the Wabash River into a defining asset for the region’s long-term development.
Ivy Tech Precision Agriculture Program
With WHIN’s support, Ivy Tech Community College and Purdue University launched a Precision Agriculture Program to build a skilled workforce for the region’s growing ag-tech sector. The initiative established new degrees, a precision ag lab, mobile demo unit, and teacher training, creating a vital talent pipeline as WHIN drives digital agriculture forward.
WHIN Walls Public Art
Through its WHIN Walls initiative, WHIN partnered with The Arts Federation and local champions to create vibrant murals that revitalize downtowns and celebrate community identity across the region. Beyond the artwork itself, the year-long collaborative process united residents, artists, and local leaders—turning each mural into a symbol of shared pride and connection.
Other K-12 and Planning Grants
WHIN’s Community Partner grants supported local schools, organizations, and industry groups in advancing digital skills, IoT applications, and sustainability across the region. From developing precision agriculture and coding programs to exploring smart recycling systems, these collaborations strengthened education, workforce readiness, and environmental innovation throughout WHIN’s network.