Asher presented 'Rising Star' award

Brian Asher, executive director of Shelby County Development Corp., has received the Rising Star Peer Recognition from the Indiana Economic Development Association (IEDA).

In his four years as executive director, Asher has played key roles in attracting a total of $800 million in investment and over 900 jobs to Shelby County.

Asher’s involvement was integral to 11 attractions and expansions, including the $310 million Greenleaf Foods LLC processing plant. Announced in April, the project is the largest industrial development in Shelby County history.

“It is definitely an honor to receive this recognition from my peers and experts in the economic development field,” said Asher. “I could not have done it alone. It is not an ‘I’ award but a ‘we’ award. It is recognition of a team of people that believe in the future of Shelbyville. I look forward to continuing this momentum in the future.”

Nominators called Asher “a true competitor” and “an expert in generating new business, satisfying companies from Fortune 500 to small distributors.”

The nominators also said, his experience serving on the Shelbyville City Council enables him to “immediately gain trust, build relationships and bring a deal together. Brian continues to land quality projects for his region and the state of Indiana.”

The IEDA advocates for the economic development profession in Indiana and includes 400 members representing all 92 counties.

Membership includes local and regional economic development professionals and corporations that are stakeholders in the economic development process.