Executive director of River Ridge Development Authority retiring after 17 years

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A longtime executive director of a southern Indiana development center will retire this summer.

Jerry Acy plans to retire as the executive director of the River Ridge Development Authority June 30, 2025. He has been at River Ridge since 2008.

River Ridge Development Authority started in 1998 to replace lost economic activity after the closure of the Indiana Army Ammunition Plant. River Ridge is home to more than 80 companies. More than 12,000 people were employed there in 2023.

According to a news release Monday, during Acy's tenure, River Ridge Commerce Center transformed abandoned buildings and overgrown property into a commercial and industrial destination.

"Under Jerry’s leadership, River Ridge has assumed its place as the one of the nation’s premier business and industrial parks," Treva Hodges, chair of the River Ridge Development Authority board of directors and mayor of Charlestown, said in a news release. "He joined the organization in 2008 as the surrounding communities were still envisioning the potential of River Ridge, and today we are well on our way to fulfilling the promises of economic prosperity. Jerry has helped the RRDA and many businesses calling Southern Indiana home, and this community has benefited enormously from his service."

River Ridge Commerce Center created an annual economic output in the region just under $3 billion, according to the 2024 Economic Impact Analysis.

Marc Hildenbrand will be promoted to the role of executive director on July 1, 2025. He has spent the last three years as chief director of engineering and operations.

"For the last 17 years, I have thoroughly enjoyed serving the businesses, organizations, and residents of our communities in my role at River Ridge," Acy said in a news release. "The team I have been able to work for and with is truly second-to-none in serving our businesses and communities with passion and foresight. I know I am leaving the organization in good hands, and I will be watching as Marc and the RRDA team continues to build River Ridge as a regional asset serving all of Southern Indiana."

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