The summit will examine north-central Indiana's economic future in three categories: education and training; energy, and development and job creation. A number of local business leaders and IU South Bend professors have been invited to be on the panels.

Donnelly encourages the public to attend the summit, which will be from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m.

The conference will begin with registration and continental breakfast at 7:30 a.m. in Room 1001, Wiekamp Hall. IU South Bend Chancellor Una Mae Reck and Donnelly will have a short welcome at 7:45 a.m.

The energy panel will begin at 8 a.m., followed by a short break. The education discussion will begin a 9:10 a.m., with a short break and then the economic development panel will begin at 10:20 a.m.

Donnelly will have closing remarks at 11:20 a.m.

The energy panel participants are: Glen Bode, president of Indiana Renewable Fuels; Jim Geselle, president of Abundant Energy Works, Inc.; Jerry Hinnefeld, professor of physics at IU South Bend; and Carl Lisek, coordinator of South Shore Clean Cities.

The education panel members are: Douglas Agbetsiafa, professor of economics, IU South Bend; Steve Barkdull, director of Elkhart Central Career Center; Larry Davis, president of Daman Products Co., Inc.; and Gary Lamberti, professor of biology, University of Notre Dame.

The economic panel participants are: Grant Black, professor of economics, IU South Bend; Kay Cochran, president and CEO of St. Joseph County Workforce Development Group; Phil Damico director of business growth, St. Joseph County Chamber of Commerce; Miguel Salazar Jr., manager of sales and marketing a Select Health Network and David Ogle, publisher of the Elkhart Truth.